Tell us a little about yourself… What do you do at CERN today?
I’m 25, from the UK, and graduated from UWE Bristol in September 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Business. During my placement year, I worked as a digital training designer at a power tool company and discovered my passion for learning and development. When I began job hunting, I was surprised to find a “Junior Learning Specialist” position at CERN, a place I never expected to work as a non-physicist, and I immediately applied.
Being here, I love exploring the area either by cycling or taking the trains around Switzerland. I love being with friends and also completing craft projects (building models or cross-stitch is my favourite).
At CERN, I work in the learning and development team in HR. We handle a large share of the training (excluding Health, Safety and Environment) that takes place at CERN. This includes technical training for personnel to complete their work, leadership training, running English and French language classes, and ensuring everyone has the communication skills needed to work at CERN.
My focus is on the Digital and Analytics team, where I create e-learning content, design multimedia assets, manage our training website, and handle analytics for the team. I also get to help run major onboarding events like ‘Connecting the Dots,’ which is a fantastic way to meet new people (so say hello if I’m presenting!).
What is working at CERN like for you?
For me, it’s defined by incredible variety. I love that I can have a morning meeting with the HR Ethics team to discuss creating new training from scratch, and by the afternoon, I’m sitting down with the experiments to discuss their specific shift training. I’m constantly learning about new, diverse topics just so I can help others learn them, too. Seeing people actually finish a training I’ve built and gain a new skill is what makes a successful day for me.
Beyond the office, the lifestyle is a huge plus. I love my morning commute; cycling to work with a view of Mont Blanc on a sunny day is just stunning.
What inspired you to pursue a career in STEM? OR What is your first memory of science?
My career is a mix of technical curiosity and business exposure. Growing up, I was obsessed with video games and animation, which sparked a ‘behind-the-scenes’ curiosity about how that technology functioned and developed. This led me to Computer Science and to becoming part of the Lovelace Colloquium Alumni, a massive step for me as a woman in STEM. It gave me the community I needed to start asking more questions and inspired me to be creative with technology.
My business background comes from growing up in a family business, giving me early insight into how organisations work (although not on this scale). Pairing that with my passion for tech and digital media made Learning and Development at CERN a natural fit.
What skills have you developed since joining CERN? (personal development + new skills + future machines)
Since joining, I’ve really developed my data analytics abilities. I’ve been able to present statistics to senior boards and help make strategic recommendations based on that data.
Another area has been my ability to deliver under high pressure. When I was approached with a project to build a resource portal for the incoming Director-General and the Directorate. Pivoting quickly to create something of that calibre on a tight deadline helped me refine my project management skills the most.
Moving from a ‘junior’ mindset to one where senior staff trust me with their urgent projects has been a massive boost to my professional confidence, which, to me, is the most important skill I have learned.
What have been the main challenges you encountered along the way?
The biggest challenge was definitely the learning curve of a massive international organisation. Coming in at 22 and straight from university, I felt a bit of ‘imposter syndrome’ surrounded by world-leading experts. However, my team is extremely supportive. They made me feel welcomed and valued from Day 1, giving me the foundation I needed to find my voice and trust my own expertise. Having that supportive environment made navigating CERN’s complexity and pace much easier.
What’s the most “CERN moment” you’ve experienced?
I’ve had the chance to visit both CMS and ATLAS, and standing in front of those massive detectors is a humbling experience; it makes you realise the sheer scale of what we are all supporting.
But the ultimate ‘CERN moment’ was definitely the CERN 70 anniversary event. Seeing a full-scale music festival happening right here on the patio where I eat my lunch was such a surreal and wonderful experience. It was the perfect representation of the CERN community, diverse, amazing, and a little bit ‘weird’ in the best possible way. It reminded me that while the machines are amazing, it’s the people and the shared culture that are the heart of CERN.
What advice would you give potential applicants?
Don’t let the Physics focus stop you from applying. CERN is a small city; it needs HR, IT, Business, and Communication specialists to function. If you have a skill, there is likely a place for it here.
Second: Be proactive. My best experiences came from asking for the opportunity. Don’t wait for permission to be ambitious. CERN is an environment that truly values initiative and expertise at every level.