Sarah

Tell us a little about yourself… What do you do at CERN today? 
Hi, my name is Sarah. I’m 22 years old and from Amsterdam, The Netherlands, where I study computer science for my bachelor’s degree. I’m currently working at CERN as an intern in the Experimental Physics department for the LHCb experiment. My role focuses on developing a monitoring dashboard for the LHCb control room.

What is working at CERN like for you?  
Working at CERN is an incredibly unique and fascinating experience, and I’m truly grateful to be completing my graduation internship here. CERN’s focus on open research and global knowledge sharing makes the work culture very motivating. Everyone here is driven by curiosity, which creates a very inspiring atmosphere to work in.

What inspired you to pursue a career in STEM?
My father has worked in IT for many years. When I was a child, he encouraged my curiosity by enrolling me in technology-related courses such as Python programming for women, 3D printing workshops, and other tech courses for girls. He also tried to explain binary and similar concepts to me, which I didn’t fully understand at the time. These early experiences sparked my interest in technology and ultimately led me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer science. I’m still very grateful to my father for introducing me to this field.

What skills have you developed since joining CERN?
Before coming to CERN, I had no experience with WinCC OA, an industrial automation software that’s widely used here. I’ve learned how to use it and gained a good understanding of data monitoring systems. Being surrounded by highly educated and passionate people has also motivated me to continue studying. I plan to pursue a master’s degree in medical informatics after my internship. It was fascinating to learn that CERN’s accelerator technologies are also applied in the medical field, showing how physics and healthcare can overlap.

What have been the main challenges you encountered along the way? 
Moving to another country and starting a new job was a bit intimidating at first because I didn’t know what to expect from the work environment or the people. I currently live in France, and one of the challenges has been connecting with locals, as English isn’t widely spoken. Fortunately, CERN offers French classes, which I’ve started taking. It’s nice to be able to handle basic situations, like ordering a croissant. Making friends within CERN is easy since new interns are all in a similar situation, but connecting with people outside the organisation can be more difficult.

What’s the most “CERN moment” you’ve experienced? 
One moment that really stands out is being surrounded by people from so many different academic backgrounds, from bachelor’s students to post-docs, who all bring a wide range of expertise and experiences, yet always willing to take the time to talk to you. I also remember a colleague joking that getting a PhD in physics is “the easiest thing to do at CERN,” which amused me, since it’s not my field at all. 

What advice would you give potential applicants?
My advice is simply to apply and see what happens. I had no expectations of being accepted at CERN, but my parents encouraged me to try, and I’m very thankful they did. I also contacted my professors to ask if our university had any connection with CERN. One of them happened to know Dutch CERN employees and kindly shared my résumé and motivation letter with them. I’d recommend doing something similar, you never know where a single message might lead.