Share this page :

Testimony of Matthieu Guilhem, student in the “Ingénieur généraliste” (MSc) course

Matthieu Guilhem

Student in the "Ingénieur généraliste" (MSc) course

Testimonial Category :

Education

Date :

25 Jun 2025

Testimony of Matthieu Guilhem

What is your background?

I did a Bac S with an Engineering Sciences option at the Lycée Gustave Eiffel in Bordeaux. I did a PTSI/PT preparatory course at the same school.

Why did you choose ISAE-SUPAERO? What do you see as the school's strengths?

I’ve always been very interested in space, and the school has a great deal of expertise in this field, as demonstrated by the French astronauts who are alumni. I also appreciate the wide range of disciplines and the truly generalist teaching that is offered. Another guiding principle behind my choice was my desire to stay in the south-west of France for my studies. It’s a great place to live, I grew up there and I’m particularly fond of it.

Can you tell us about your academic mobility? How was it a rewarding experience, both personally and academically?

Firstly, I did my compulsory 1A work placement in Tanzania for a 2-month humanitarian internship. I didn’t want to ‘waste’ this month doing a job that didn’t interest me and didn’t contribute anything either personally or to others. On the other hand, with friends from the year, we went to do manual work in schools, which for us had a strong and concrete meaning for those in need.

I spent a semester on exchange in Singapore at the National University of Singapore (NUS). I took a wide variety of courses to explore my different interests: future energy, medical technology, astrophysics and marine biology. I chose this part of the world because I wanted to discover a new way of life and a culture I knew nothing about. It was also an opportunity to study at a prestigious university where academic excellence is recognised abroad. I love to travel and Singapore is a central location for visiting many countries in South-East Asia.

In the second part of my gap year, I did a second academic exchange at UNIS Svalbard in the Spitsbergen archipelago. For 6 months I studied the aurora borealis, a relatively unknown phenomenon that tells us a lot about the behaviour of our sun and its interaction with the earth. I also wanted to give time to another passion in my life: mountain sports, in particular ski touring.

At the end of this experience of life in the far north, a far cry from anything I’d known before, I worked for Ponant as an Arctic expedition guide for 2 months.

These different experiences allowed me to explore several academic disciplines in detail that I didn’t know about, such as bio-engineering, astrophysics and energy. In the end, this helped me decide on my final year specialisation. Personally, I’ve been able to travel on my own, get out of my comfort zone and confront a variety of difficulties. I’ve also been able to fulfil dreams and desires that might otherwise have led to frustration in my future working life. I’m honestly very happy to have spent this year for myself, it’s by no means a free year to do nothing – quite the opposite, it’s a year in which you grow more than ever and which allows you to approach the final year of study with peace of mind.

What areas and subjects have you chosen for 3A? Why did you make this choice?

For my final year, I chose the Earth Observation and Science of the Universe pathway (OTSU-SU) and the Design and Operation of Space Systems pathway (COS-TS). With the different courses that I took during my gap year, I chose to continue in what I’ve been passionate about for a long time, i.e. space. These two courses are the most space-oriented at Supaéro.

What is your career plan? SFE?

I’d like to work in the design and innovation of current space systems such as propulsion on launchers, satellites or interplanetary manned missions. I aspire to manage teams and projects. I’m going to do my end-of-study placement in Kourou at the Guiana Space Centre. I’m working with CNES on a study of the risk of in-flight lightning strikes on launchers.

A word about life in Toulouse and more particularly on campus?

As I said earlier, the south-west is a region that I love to live in. The weather is good all year round. Overall: The people are friendly. The location is great, about 1? hours from the Pyrenees (by car or train) and about 2/3 hours from the sea or ocean.

The campus has good transport links, despite the fact that it’s in the south, and the Canal du Midi is a very convenient major route. There is also a new metro line that will soon be operational. The campus is large, with a large number of sports facilities (rugby pitch, tennis court, basketball pool, etc.) and a student centre with premises for artistic and technical clubs. As a general rule, community involvement is very much encouraged, and all students can join a wide variety of clubs, or several clubs if they wish, from the first year onwards. The whole campus is available to students so that they can enjoy it at their own pace and according to their own desires.

If you had any words for students taking the CCMP?

Have confidence in yourself and dare to dream!

Related Content

View Other Pages

Testimonials

Testimony from Yves Gourinat, elected full member of the Air and Space Academy

DMSM

Structures and materials

Teacher researcher

Testimonials

Testimonial from Harshavardhan Narakatla, student (class of 2025) of the AMS E&M Advanced Master®

Aerospace

Alumni

Testimonial

Testimonials

Testimony from Nathanaël Lecompte, 2021 alumni of the ISAE-SUPAERO engineering programme

Alumni

Sustainability

Testimonial

Testimonials

Testimony from Lisa Wong, 2024 graduate of the TAS ASTRO Advanced Master® programme, SEEDS option

Aerospace

Alumni

Testimonial

Testimonials

“World Alumni Day”: 3 questions to Sebastien Eskenazi, 2009 alumnus of the ENSICA engineering double degree / mechanical engineering master’s degree

Alumni

Testimonial

Testimonials

Testimonial of Elisa Baumgarten, Advanced Master® AES student (class of 2025)

Advanced Master®

Testimonial

Testimonials

Testimony of Fabien Delcan, student in the "Ingénieur généraliste" (MSc) course

Application

Eligibles

Ingénieur généraliste (MSc)

Testimonials

Testimony of Jonathan Andrieu, student (class of 2025) of the AIBT Advanced Master®

Advanced Master®

Testimonial

Videos

Testimony of Eric Vicente, Director of Human Resources at Sabina Technics

Eric Vicente tells us about Sabena Technics, a company specializing in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), which was present at the Village Entreprises to meet students from ISAE-SUPAERO, experts in aeronautics and trained in innovation in this field! Their aim is to offer them professional opportunities and internships. These meetings also enable them to strengthen their presence among future engineers, and to propose future partnerships for the Institute's research and development (R&D) projects.

Career

Company

Partner

Videos

Testimonials from Alex Dejoie and Sofia Cardola, engineering and master in aerospace engineering students

ISAE-SUPAERO recently welcomed some 40 companies from a wide range of industrial and service sectors to its campus. These companies, represented by alumni and HR managers, were able to share internship and job opportunities with over 500 students in attendance. The event also provided an opportunity for privileged exchanges between students and professionals on current and future challenges and projects. These close encounters were particularly enriching, providing young talent with sound advice and a mutual understanding of needs and expectations! The Enterprise Village is a fantastic opportunity to forge links and develop your professional network, while at the same time widening the field of possibilities. Through this initiative, ISAE-SUPAERO, at the heart of our students' training, has reaffirmed its central role in guiding them towards the professional world. Read the testimonials of Alex Dejoie, a student engineer specializing in astrophysics and space, and Sofia Cardola, a student in the Master in Aerospace Engineering program.

Career

Company

Testimonial

Videos

Arnaud Prost, ESA reserve astronaut and ISAE-SUPAERO alumnus: “I was incredibly lucky to be here”

Fighter pilot and reserve astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA), Arnaud Prost returned to his former school on Thursday March 28 to meet 200 secondary school students as part of the ISAE SUPAERO OSE program. It was an opportunity for him to recall the “great memories” of his student experience at ISAE-SUPAERO, his long-standing commitment to the student social outreach program and the “Aquanauts” scheme he set up with OSE l'ISAE-SUPAERO. And in passing, he offers a few words of advice to young people who might dream of following in his footsteps: “Don't let yourself be convinced that one of these paths isn't for you!” A 2017 graduate of ISAE-SUPAERO, Arnaud Prost is among those selected for the ESA Astronaut Class of 2022, alongside Sophie Adenot and Anthea Comellini, both also alumni of the school. They join other illustrious ESA astronauts who have already studied at the school: Thomas Pesquet, Luca Parmitano and Samantha Cristoforetti. Since 1970, ISAE-SUPAERO has contributed to the progress of the space age through its training, research and innovation activities. As the only organization in France to offer degree courses (engineering, master's, specialized master's, doctorate) covering all 22 space-related themes identified by CNES, the Institute offers a royal road to space careers. For Arnaud Prost's full profile: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/A

Alumni

Diversity program

Space

Pages

Our engineering programs

At ISAE-SUPAERO, our two engineering programs embody academic excellence and a commitment to addressing the major challenges of tomorrow. Our ISAE-SUPAERO General Engineering program trains high-potential general engineers, combining scientific expertise, innovative capacity, and international outlook. Our Specialized Engineering program in Industrial Engineering for Aeronautics and Space offers professional training, rooted in industrial realities and driven by project-based learning. Our two programs offer a solid scientific education, enriched by strong synergy with research and a strong commitment to sustainable, responsible, and forward-looking engineering.

« Ingénieur ISAE-SUPAERO » by apprenticeship

Ingénieur généraliste (MSc)

Videos

ISAE-SUPAERO Engineering Graduation Class of 2023

Congratulations to our ISAE-SUPAERO Engineering Graduates Class of 2023! We're proud of you and your achievements and commitments throughout your studies. We wish you a successful start to your professional lives!

Ingénieur généraliste (MSc)

Programme

Testimonials

Testimony of Jorys Collard Casanova, student (class of 2025) of the TAS AERO FTE Advanced Master®

Advanced Master®

Testimonial

Testimonials

Testimony of Matthieu LP, student (class of 2025) of the IEM Advanced Master®

Aerospace

Alumni

Testimonial

Testimonials

Testimony from Rémi Caresche, student (class of 2025) of the TAS ASTRO Advanced Master®

Aerospace

Alumni

Testimonial

News

Our alumni have their say: Meeting with Nathanaël Lecompte (S2021)

Nathanaël is a recent graduate of ISAE-SUPAERO with a degree in engineering. Of all the opportunities available to him, he chose to pursue a career in renewable energy. He explains his motivations and his career path!

Sustainability

Testimonial

Videos

3 questions to Marie Delaroche, 3ᵉ year student and MDRS 293 crew commander

Since February 18, seven ISAE-SUPAERO engineering students have been living a simulated Martian life and carrying out experiments in collaboration with CNES and several research laboratories at The Mars Society's Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in UTAH (USA)! For the second time, the mission is led by a woman: Marie Delaroche, a passionate #spaceexplorer, who was already part of crew 275 departing in 2023. We asked her 3 questions to find out more about the challenges of this mission and her feelings as #flightcommander! Alongside her, three young women and three young men in their 2ᵉ year of #engineering studies have taken on the roles of astronomer, scientist, botanist, journalist, health worker and onboard engineer. They are all members of the Mars Club ISAE-SUPAERO, a student association for the popularization of science focused on the Red Planet and the missions dedicated to its exploration and study. They are currently experimenting with AI4U, the artificial intelligence that assists astronauts in their daily tasks (environmental measurements, voice recognition, emergency exercises). They are also conducting a science popularization experiment in collaboration with secondary school pupils. Inspired by the film The Martian, in which an astronaut grows potatoes on the Red Planet, the aim of this experiment is to compare plant growth in Martian soil with growth in terrestrial soil! To follow their adventure, click here: https://mars.bde-supaero.fr/

Space

Student club

Student life

Testimonials

Testimony of Clémentine Lelarge, student in the "Ingénieur généraliste" (MSc) course

Education

Eligibles

Ingénieur généraliste (MSc)

Testimonials

Testimony from Mathis Putegnat, student (class of 2025) of the APM Advanced Master's programme

Aerospace

Alumni

Testimonial

Testimonials

Testimony of Sami Boukezzoula, student in the "Ingénieur généraliste" (MSc) course

Ingénieur généraliste (MSc)

Testimonial

News

Meeting with Joseph Risson, engineering student and winner of a scholarship for his Viraj H2 project

On Friday, 8 December, the Swiss Jean-Jacques and Felicia Lopez-Loreta Foundation for Academic Excellence awarded a prize to Viraj H2, a project developed at ISAE-SUPAERO. Joseph Risson, a third-year engineering student, is studying a hybridisation between a hydrogen turboprop engine and a fuel cell in order to accelerate the decarbonisation of air transport. The €1 million grant will enable Joseph and his partner Paul de Goÿs to validate the technology behind their innovation.

Entrepreneurship

InnovSpace

Startup

Testimonials

Testimony of Jeanne Jault, student in the "Ingénieur généraliste" (MSc) course

Application

Eligibles

Ingénieur généraliste (MSc)

News

Laurent Michel appointed programme director of the General Engineering programme at ISAE-SUPAERO

Since the start of the 2024-2025 academic year, Laurent Michel has been responsible for the smooth running of the General Engineering programme. • He will also be involved in developing the programme in line with the skills-based approach. • A professor of structural and materials mechanics, he has been head of the Structural and Materials Mechanics Department (DMSM) at ISAE-SUPAERO for the past five years.

Governance

Ingénieur généraliste (MSc)

Programme

News

ISAE-SUPAERO and Safran inaugurate an innovation chair to train the engineers of tomorrow

The three-year "Innovating in a Changing World" Chair aims to support the training of engineers capable of innovating in a changing world.

Chair

Company

Ingénieur généraliste (MSc)

Testimonials

“World Alumni Day”: 3 questions to Shriya Kaur Chawla, alumni class of 2024 of the Master in Aerospace Engineering

Alumni

Master in Aerospace Engineering

Testimonial

Videos

ISAE-SUPAERO Engineering 2022 graduation ceremony

Congratulations to our ISAE-SUPAERO graduates in the Engineering 2022 class! We're proud of you, your achievements and your commitment throughout your studies. We wish you a successful start to your professional lives!

Ingénieur généraliste (MSc)

Programme

Videos

Meeting with Christophe Henno (S 1991) Director of Programs for Airbus Atlantic

Meeting with Christophe Henno (S 1991) Director of Programs for Airbus Atlantic

Career

Company

Partner

Testimonials

Testimony from Axel Coulon, student (class of 2024) of the TAS ASTRO Advanced Master®

Advanced Master®

Space

Testimonial

Pages

Testimonials

« Ingénieur ISAE-SUPAERO » by apprenticeship

Advanced Master®

Alumni

Testimonials

“World Alumni Day”: 3 questions to Giuseppe Cataldo, 2010 alumni of the ISAE-SUPAERO general engineering course

Alumni

Testimonial

Testimonials

Testimony from Alice Fabre, 2021 graduate of the TAS AERO Advanced Master

Aeronautics

Alumni

Decarbonization

Testimonials

Testimony of Lucie Goethals, student in the "Ingénieur généraliste" (MSc) course

Ingénieur généraliste (MSc)

Testimonial

News

Focus on... quantum physics at ISAE-SUPAERO: a student journey

ISAE-SUPAERO has been integrating quantum physics into its training and research activities uninterruptedly since 1980, and for the past two decades has been offering courses linked to the second quantum revolution.

DEOS

Doctoral student

Ingénieur généraliste (MSc)

News

Meeting with Edoardo Mariani Placidi, student of the HADA Advanced Master's programme

A motorsport lover, Edoardo Mariani Placidi started his career in the automotive industry in R&D, V&V, quality, manufacturing, and metallurgy.

Testimonial

Testimonials

Joint testimony from Samuel Falcou, general engineering student at ISAE-SUPAERO, and Tristan Ducéré, high school student at Toulouse-Lautrec

Meet Samuel Falcou, a 20-year-old engineering student in his second year (class of 2024) of the ISAE-SUPAERO general engineering programme, and Tristan Ducéré, a 17-year-old high school student in his final year at Toulouse-Lautrec High School.

Diversity program

Equal opportunities

Testimonial

Testimonials

Testimonial of Baptiste Sigal, Advanced Master® TAS ASTRO student (class) 2025

Advanced Master®

Aerospace

Space

News

The 11th Parachute Brigade and ISAE-SUPAERO sign a framework agreement for the development of innovative field drones

Signed on June 27th, this charter will be broken down into specific agreements based on future research topics in the field of drones.

Defence

Ingénieur généraliste (MSc)

Partnership

Videos

A surprise from elsewhere... from the ISS...?

Hello earth? Thomas Pesquet speaking! Thomas Pesquet, French astronaut and famous ISAE-SUPAERO alumnus (class of 2001), is currently in the ISS as part of his new Alpha mission. He sent our students a personalized message from the European laboratory Columbus...

Alumni

Diversity program

Space

Testimonials

Testimonial from Maëlle Joseph, student (class of 2025) of the Advanced Master® IEM

Aerospace

Alumni

Testimonial

Testimonials

Testimony of Yannick Lepage, student (class of 2025) of the AMS E&M Advanced Master®

Advanced Master®

Testimonial

Testimonials

Testimony of Ernest Chi Tse, alumni class of 2018 of the Advanced Master® ASAA

Advanced Master®

Alumni

Testimonial

Testimonials

Testimony of Giuseppe Cataldo, alumnus of the 2010 Engineer ISAE-SUPAERO (MSc) program

Alumni

Space

Testimonial

Videos

Testimony of Joseph Risson, ingénieur 2024 alumni & co-founder of Viraj H2 From student to entrepreneur: that's the path Joseph Risson, a 2024 graduate, has taken at ISAE-SUPAERO!

Co-founder of the startup Viraj H2, created during his 3ᵉ year of engineering studies, Joseph Risson wants to contribute his expertise to the decarbonization of air travel by exploring a new hydrogen propulsion architecture! Joseph and his partner, Paul de Goÿs, were awarded the €1 million Lopez-Loreta Foundation prize in 2023 to continue their research into this innovative propulsion method, and now benefit from the support and expertise of InnovSpace, the school's official incubator, where the startup is currently housed. Like all our alumni, he plays an essential role in creating lasting links between the institution and its former students. They encourage mutual support and the sharing of professional opportunities, help strengthen the community and support future generations with their experience and resources.

Alumni

Career

Company

Videos

Testimony of Florian Bonte, S2010 ISAE-SUPAERO alumni: creating opportunities through networking

Creating opportunities through networking: a testimonial from Florian Bonte, S2010 ISAE-SUPAERO alumnus! He tells us about our partnership, and the importance of networking and passing on information, as an alumnus of the school, and Sales Manager at Groupe SII, one of the school's partner companies. Our partner companies recently took part in the Village Entreprises, an event held on the ISAE-SUPAERO campus. This not-to-be-missed annual event enables our students to meet, exchange ideas and make contacts with our partner companies! Thanks to the many training options offered by the Institute, and the diversity of their first professional experiences and nationalities, the professional profiles of our students are perfectly adapted to the needs of companies. For our students, it's a unique opportunity to exchange ideas with professionals to identify internship and job opportunities, to refine their project, or to find ideas to bring their projects to fruition.

Alumni

Career

Company

News

Meet Camille, an engineering student selected for the Young Pilots Air Tour

Camille Delesalle, 20, has just completed her first year of the General Engineering programme at ISAE-SUPAERO. She is one of 45 pilots aged 18 to 24 selected by the French Aeronautical Federation to take part in the Young Pilots Air Tour.

Aeronautics

Ingénieur généraliste (MSc)

Programme

Pages

Brochures

« Ingénieur ISAE-SUPAERO » by apprenticeship

Advanced Master®

Brochure

Testimonials

Testimony from Valentin Balayn, 2015 graduate of the TAS AERO FTE Advanced Master®

Advanced Master®

Aeronautics

Alumni

News

Focus on... quantum physics in ISAE-SUPAERO training courses

DEOS

Ingénieur généraliste (MSc)

Teacher researcher

Testimonials

"World Alumni Day": Three questions for Aude Vignelles, 1991 graduate of ENSICA's Aeronautical Engineering programme

Aeronautics

Alumni

Testimonial

Testimonials

Testimony from Stéphanie Lizy-Destrez, elected member of the Air and Space Academy

DCAS

Space

Teacher researcher

Videos

Testimony of Pauline Heuze, Recruitment Assistant at Liebherr Aerospace and Transportation

Liebherr develops, manufactures and maintains innovative air systems for the aerospace industry. Sustainable aviation has become a major challenge for the aeronautics industry, requiring close collaboration between companies and ISAE-SUPAERO, particularly through its training courses. At the Village Entreprises, ISAE-SUPAERO was able to talk to our students and present various internship programs, collaborative projects and career opportunities. To develop its innovation policy, Liebherr needs young engineers ready to take up the challenges of sustainable aviation, but also skilled in the fields of sustainable technologies, alternative propulsion systems and resource management.

Career

Company

Partner

News

France Alumni Day: 3 questions for Gabrielle Decroix, ISAE-SUPAERO 2022 alumna of the Advanced Master® in Systems Engineering

Meet Gabrielle Decroix, 2022 alumna, now a Model-Based Systems Engineering consultant at Capgemini.

Alumni

Testimonial

Videos

Pierre-Eric Pommellet, CEO of Naval Group: European leader in naval defense and partner of ISAE-SUPAERO

Discover the interview with Pierre-Eric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group and ISAE-SUPAERO alumnus, who talks about cooperation between schools and companies.

Career

Company

Partner

News

A cutting-edge software platform integrated into ISAE-SUPAERO's engineering programmes

Dassault Systèmes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform enables the creation of a digital twin of any product and the simulation of all stages of its life cycle.

« Ingénieur ISAE-SUPAERO » by apprenticeship

Apprenticeship

Ingénieur généraliste (MSc)

Testimonials

Testimony of Juan-Carlos DOLADO-PEREZ, alumni of the 2008 Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Alumni

Space

Testimonial

Testimony of Jeanne Jault, student in the “Ingénieur généraliste” (MSc) course

Jeanne Jault

Student in the "Ingénieur généraliste" (MSc) course

Testimonial Category :

Education

Date :

25 Jun 2025

Testimony of Jeanne Jault

What is your background?

I passed my baccalauréat in science with a maths major in 2019 at Lycée Stendhal in Grenoble. I then went to preparatory school at Lycée du Parc in Lyon in the PCSI stream, then PC and PC* in 5/2.

Why did you choose ISAE-SUPAERO? What do you think are the school's strengths?

I chose ISAE-SUPAERO because it’s a reputable general engineering school, with an aerospace component that interested me in particular for fluid mechanics and space mechanics.

I was also aware that a lot of double degrees were possible, particularly with Sciences Po.

I already knew that I wanted to make the ecological and social transition the core of my future career, and that it was possible to choose the ‘Energy, Transport, Environment’ specialisation in my final year. As well as all these educational aspects, I’d had lots of positive feedback about Toulouse and campus life!

One of the school’s strong points is its specialisation for people with a particular interest in aeronautics and aerospace, while remaining a general engineering school, which means that people who are simply curious about these fields can flourish here. Other important assets are its student life, its geographical location and the working environment on campus.

Can you tell us about your double degree with Science Po? Why did you make this choice?

I’m currently doing a double-diploma with Sciences Po Paris between the second and third years of the engineering course at Supaero. I’m doing a Masters in European Affairs with a specialisation in ‘Energy, Environment, Sustainability’. I chose to do this because it’s a great opportunity to look at energy and environmental issues from a public policy perspective. I learnt a lot about the economics and regulation of energy, how policies for the ecological transition are made and how environmental issues are taken into account at several levels. I now know that I would like to participate in the ecological and social transition by working on energy markets or in Earth observation to monitor changes in our environment.

I did my semester abroad at the Technische Universität Berlin. There I was able to take courses in space mechanics, meteorology, water management, adaptation to climate change and the circular economy with an engineering approach. It was a great experience to develop these subjects that interest me with a slightly different teaching approach. I was able to enjoy Berlin, its culture and the people I met – it’s a very pleasant city, especially in summer. I was able to discover other German cities as well as Prague and Copenhagen. It was a very enriching experience that reinforced my professional choices and plans.

What areas and subjects have you chosen for 3A? Why or why not?

I chose the ‘Earth Observation’ field because I discovered during my studies at Supaero, my semester abroad in Berlin and at Sciences Po that Earth observation satellite data are essential for monitoring changes in our environment and thinking about solutions (for example, for monitoring land artificialisation, flooding or water resources). I chose the ‘Energy, Transport, Environment’ field because I’m very interested in energy issues, particularly energy markets, which I studied at Sciences Po, and because I’d like to contribute to protecting the environment.

What are your career plans?

I haven’t yet defined a precise career plan. One possibility would be to work in the public administration for the ecological transition (different departments of the ministry or state agencies), or in the energy markets. I’m also very interested in working as an Earth observation engineer and on scientific space missions. I think that the dual engineering profile of Supaero and Sciences Po is just the thing for working on these issues!

A word about life in Toulouse and more particularly on campus?

Life in Toulouse is really very pleasant. I feel like I’ve seen a lot of sunshine, the campus is well located on the banks of the canal and you can take advantage of all the sports facilities! I’ve been able to enjoy the Pyrenees with the school’s mountaineering club, as well as rowing on the Garonne, cycling and running around Toulouse. It’s a great place for outdoor activities! I’ve also been able to get involved in various clubs on the subjects that are most important to me: Supaero For Earth (a student club that raises awareness of environmental issues), the school’s social outreach programme, and the student office’s solidarity and ecology section.

What if you had a word for students taking the CCMP?

Be confident, and take care of yourself during this period!

Testimony of Fabien Delcan, student in the “Ingénieur généraliste” (MSc) course

Fabien Delcan

Student in the "Ingénieur généraliste" (MSc) course

Testimonial Category :

Education

Date :

25 Jun 2025

Testimony of Fabin Delcan

What is your background?

I first went to a state secondary school in Pau, Saint-John Perse, before entering the MPSI-MP preparatory school at Camille Jullian, a small preparatory school with only one MP and one PC. There weren’t many people admitted to the grandes Mines, but I had some excellent teachers and some very good friends!

Why did you choose ISAE-SUPAERO? What do you think are the school's strengths?

Like many of us, ISAE-SUPAERO was my goal even before I started preparatory school. As the son of an air traffic controller and private pilot, I was quickly immersed in the world of aviation. In my little prep school, I hung in there and gave everything I had to get into my dream school.

Like many people at ISAE-SUPAERO, I was also admitted to higher-ranked schools, but I made this choice for several reasons:

Apart from Polytechnique, almost all the grandes écoles are the same in the world of work. The key is to differentiate yourself.
I wanted to do mechanics and physics in particular, and I got what I wanted! I was particularly interested in aviation and space, and it’s the best school in France in this field.
I was president of the rocket club and a member of OSE, as well as rowing, baseball and poker.
The many academic opportunities, in France and abroad.
Going to the same school as Thomas Pesquet is quite something, isn’t it?

Can you tell us about your double degree with X-HEC? Why did you make this choice?

After just over a year at ISAE-Supaero, I decided to be more than an engineer. I chaired the Institute’s large rocket construction club (+120 people) and got a taste for project management and steering.

The double degree takes place over two years:

A first year at École Polytechnique in 3A, where you can choose any subject (PA for friends) and take an entrepreneurial certificate. You also do a 3A internship like the Xs, usually in a start-up.
Then you go on to the MSc X-HEC Entrepreneur, a very practical master’s programme, with little theory and lots of guidance to help you launch a business. The classes are made up of one third engineers, one third business profiles and one third from other backgrounds, which encourages the formation of multidisciplinary teams.

I wasn’t born an entrepreneur, but I want to work in a dynamic environment, without fixed positions or rigid hierarchies. This double degree is the best option for me: it allows me to quickly gain experience in technical and business management while taking on a fascinating challenge: designing, managing a growing team, finding a market and convincing investors!

What areas and subjects have you chosen for 3A? Why or why not?

As part of my double degree, I did my 3A at École Polytechnique. I chose the Mechanical PA, coupled with an entrepreneurial certificate. I wanted to acquire a solid grounding in mechanics so that I could design autonomous systems such as drones. Mechanics is a bit of a catch-all area in engineering. I already had some knowledge of software and automatic control, which I wanted to complement with a mastery of tools and methods in fluid and structural mechanics, to better understand the challenges of design and prototyping. As for the entrepreneur certificate, it was a natural choice to gain experience before my final year in entrepreneurship.

What are your career plans?

I’m not completely sure about my future yet, but what motivates me is the start-up environment, its dynamism and its challenges. I hope to be able to found or join a very technical start-up, probably in the field of drones. But it all depends on the people I meet next year: a start-up is above all a human adventure and a close-knit team!

A word about life in Toulouse and more particularly on campus?

Toulouse is great fun! Most of us stay on our super campus, including at weekends, which means we can organise lots of community projects and events.

I know that the community aspect is often overlooked when choosing a preparatory school, but on a day-to-day basis it has a real impact. Getting involved in an association means making new contacts and developing personally and professionally. At ISAE-SUPAERO, there are significantly more associations per student than on the Plateau de Saclay, with many technical and aeronautical associations run by real enthusiasts.

If you had any words for students taking the CCMP?

Whether this is a huge challenge for you or a formality, bear in mind that the questions are often very theoretical: take the time to go into the subjects in depth!