My journey to CERN began just over 5 years ago – knowing that I wanted a change, to move and try something new, a soft voice in my head said “hey, have a look at CERN’s website”.  I did and immediately saw the job I knew was for me in CERN’s Talent Acquisition team – at 9 o’clock at night on the closing day of the vacancy notice!  The invitation to complete a video interview arrived much to my surprise and then the invitation to come to CERN for a face to face interview.

It’s June 1st, an important date in the CERN Talent Acquisition team calendar as we prepare to welcome the first of the Summer Students (or ‘Summies’ as they are affectionately known) who take part in the 2017 edition of the programme in a couple of days. It’s been a long road to get to this happy day: Jenny and Eszter, coordinators of the Member State Summer student programme, tell us more about what has been going on these past months, behind the scenes…

Hi Roberta, tell us a little about yourself and how you came to CERN

I followed what the majority would define an “eclectic” or “non-standard” path. I took my bachelor in Physics in Italy, my home country, at the University of L’Aquila. When I was enrolled there, I heard about CERN a lot, mostly for the project CNGS and the OPERA and ICARUS detectors, since L’Aquila is very close to the Gran Sasso National Laboratory and many people in the physics faculty were collaborating in the project.

My name is Ophélie and, like many people CERN, my studies brought me to this Organization. 

Contrary to what probably just popped in your mind, no I am not in the scientific field : I am a fellow in the Legal Advice section of CERN's Human Resources Department. 

Hi Vicky, could you say a few words about yourself and how you came to CERN?

In Wales, at the local Coleg Y Cymoedd where I studied a BTEC Diploma in Science, I was a lab technician apprentice. While I was working for the college, the lecturers arranged a student trip to visit CERN, luckily they invited me to join! Of course I knew of CERN before but, after the visit I was completely blown away and left inspired. We were told of the many different roles at CERN and I came to learn that CERN was actually in need of more technicians.

Hi Fahim, tell us a little about yourself and what brought you to CERN?

 Hi Jørgen, tell us a little about yourself and what brought you to CERN?

Hi Katarina, tell us a little about yourself and what brought you to CERN?
I’m a Swedish Software Engineer who joined CERN in March 2000. What encouraged me to apply to CERN was the combination of a fit with my technical competencies at the time, the international environment and the geographic location. I also liked the fact that I would be able to practice both English and French, but both languages were not necessary to apply and get a job.

Hi Saida, tell us a little about yourself and what brought you to CERN?
Hi my name is Saida and I am currently a Fellow at CERN where I work for two teams: the Experimental Area Management (EAM) and Electromagnetic Calorimeter (ECAL).

Hi Natasha, tell us a little about yourself and what brought you to CERN?