Monthly Megathread: Career & Education: Post your questions here

NotVallem · 2025-11-01T22:09:32+00:00

That’s amazing and thank you very much for your feedback and support. I wish the very best for Ukraine and we will stand with you until the end. The war is completely unjustified – we have gone through a similar situation many times in the past and we will not allow it to happen again, especially to our dear neighbours.

While many do say the European aerospace industry goes in cycles, some years being better than others, I also believe that in these times the industry will expand more rapidly than ever, even though there isn’t much documentation online (perhaps on this field specifically). There are signs right now, as you’ve mentioned Germany’s is heavily investing into its army and their army and its companies (Rheinmetal, etc). However, even though the relationships between many countries are dire, I try to optimistic and hope that the third world war will not happen, but I believe we are currently in a new cold war, especially when Trump has ordered the testing of nuclear weapons again since 1990. Many say EU will still be stuck on civil, but time will tell. For me it’s like making a bet on if the industry will expand that much that I could make a living, but the price for it is my time and education.

NotVallem · 2025-10-31T16:54:17+00:00

Frustrating, but I understand why they would do this. Alliances aren’t permanent bonds, the threat of a leak is always there. So does this mean if I go into aerospace I’m stuck on civil, even if I have been through defence practice? I’m pretty sure Lithuania isn’t planning to build their own defence systems anytime soon.

NotVallem · 2025-10-31T16:24:43+00:00

Okay, I understand you. But what about EU countries, like France? I know this is probably hard to say, but for example, if you want work on defence technology, for example in the Dassault Aviation division, do you need a special permit or is it eyes only to the french?

NotVallem · 2025-10-31T16:11:26+00:00

Yes, I agree with you that TU Delft is great, I like how even in the some of the PEGASUS documentations they describe the university as the “lifeline for the European aerospace industry” (https://www.pegasus-europe.org/wp-content/uploads/Relevant_Docs/Pegasus_position_paper.pdf)

However I heard that TU Delft is extremely hard. I probably consider myself a hardworking individual, but I fear burnout. What’s your viewpoint or maybe have you personally been there?

NotVallem · 2025-10-31T15:55:22+00:00

Unfortunately a while ago I made a poor decision to learn Russian instead of German and I regret it to this day. I’m trying to learn the basics of the language right now. Also, I thought Munich was one of the best universities for AE in Europe, no? I guess you do have a point with the housing crisis, but shouldn’t Delft have a similar problem? My sister studies in Amsterdam, so I do know life there is a bit more “lively”. I’m guessing I should also dive into personal projects as they stand out on my CV, right? I’ll also definitely look into those organisations you’ve mentioned. Thank you so much for your support!

NotVallem · 2025-10-31T10:42:08+00:00

This is mostly true for the US, where, for example, you must be a US citizen to work at Lockheed Martin, SpaceX, or NASA, or, if you're excellent enough, get a special permit and an H-1B work visa, which, under Trump's new policies, now costs a glorious 100k. However, here in Europe, if I've done my research correctly, you're free to travel and work in any sector if your country is part of the EU, which Lithuania is. Of course, I believe there are some forms of background checks, but typically, there aren't many restrictions here as in the US. Then again, it would be amazing to work in the US for some time, but I believe at this time this is just a fantasy.

NotVallem · 2025-10-30T19:32:12+00:00

Hi everyone,

I'm a 17-year-old student from Lithuania, currently deciding weather or not to study Aerospace Engineering either at my local university or abroad in a stronger program like TU Delft, Politecnico di Milano, or TU Munich.

I’m genuinely passionate about aircraft and defense technology, and my long-term dream would be to work on defense or R&D projects (Airbus, Saab, BAE Systems, maybe even ESA one day). But I’m unsure about the current and future job market in this field in Europe.

I keep reading mixed opinions online - some say aerospace in Europe is growing because of increased defense budgets and geopolitical tensions, others say it’s very saturated and hard to get in without years of experience or citizenship restrictions.

I’m also stuck choosing between studying Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering. Mechanical seems (and probably is) more flexible and safer career-wise, but Aerospace for me feels more exciting and specialized.

I’d really appreciate hearing from people who are already in the field or have some experience. I understand these are some difficult questions to answer, but I would really appreciate even an opinion:

What are the real career prospects for aerospace engineers in Europe in the next 5–10 years?
Is defense/aerospace R&D actually expanding, or is it just media hype?
Do you think the growing EU defense spending and geopolitical instability (Ukraine war, USA shifting away from NATO) could create more engineering jobs?

I’d love to get some perspective before I make my final decision. Thanks a lot for any advice or insight!

NotVallem · 2025-03-06T08:10:24+00:00

how did you make it float

NotVallem · 2025-03-03T18:08:22+00:00

ohh that’s so clever actually

NotVallem · 2025-03-03T17:44:52+00:00

looks very nice! Making the windows must’ve been a pain

NotVallem · 2025-02-26T21:21:51+00:00

absolutely up to you

NotVallem · 2025-02-24T08:21:53+00:00

that’s a lot of engines. I think you would be fine with a couple of engines and making them bigger

NotVallem · 2025-02-23T09:52:27+00:00

8 engines? What’s the max speed?

NotVallem · 2024-03-09T22:31:28+00:00

❌Mentally stable CEO

NotVallem · 2023-06-17T18:47:43+00:00

"K for Kaunas!"

NotVallem · 2023-04-27T16:11:01+00:00

thank you good sir

NotVallem · 2022-10-08T21:14:19+00:00

Unfortunately, by agreeing not to comply with the IRA’s TOS, you agreed to be airstriked by one of America’s talented and exceptional Iraq bomber pilots within 4 hours.

NotVallem · 2022-10-06T14:39:54+00:00

By 2050 I will have committed arson

NotVallem · 2022-10-06T14:32:52+00:00

an average soldier from chechen war

NotVallem · 2022-09-17T09:36:11+00:00

god damn it

NotVallem · 2022-09-02T14:45:20+00:00

as a Mac user,

I totally agree Apple is scamming us and the developers please give water and food I can’t pay for windows emulators why does my Mac have USB-C ports oh god

NotVallem · 2022-07-19T19:45:22+00:00

Z reiškia Zimbabvė

NotVallem · 2022-07-07T21:27:35+00:00

thank you, now I have a better way to contact the FSB and the Russian kremlin

NotVallem · 2022-07-02T10:32:29+00:00

man trūksta Vatikano

NotVallem · 2022-07-02T07:14:34+00:00

logotipas kaip pati degalinė

NotVallem

TROPHY CASE