Supporting Early Careers Beyond CERN
Every month, a new cohort begins their journey at CERN. But have you ever considered what happens when they leave?
One of the core objectives of the CERN Alumni Network is to support individuals in their early careers as they transition from CERN contracts to opportunities beyond the Organization.
The Office for Alumni Relations works closely with multiple stakeholders to deliver on this goal, ensuring that members are equipped to navigate the next phase of their professional journey.
Since the beginning of 2026, two key events have been organised to support those considering a move from CERN to industry: the ATLAS Job Fair on 18 February and, one month later, the LHC Career Networking Event on 17 March. The latter was organised by the Early Careers Committee and the Office for Alumni Relations, with the support of HR.
The ATLAS Job Fair brought together 14 multinational companies for a full-day event aimed at individuals actively seeking employment. Located in CERN’s main building - between the Council Chamber, the main mezzanine, and the Pas Perdus - the venue was a hive of activity from 08:30 until well after 18:00. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Early-career attendees appreciated the direct access to recruiters, while participating companies expressed strong admiration for the calibre and versatility of CERN talent.
The Office for Alumni Relations has observed that soon-to-be alumni often struggle to translate the breadth of skills developed at CERN into terms that resonate with industry. This is precisely where initiatives such as the LHC Career Networking Event provide significant value.
The purpose of the event was to offer practical insights from those who have successfully transitioned from academia to industry. Six alumni shared candid testimonies about their experiences - including self-doubts, challenges in articulating highly specialised CERN experience, and the realisation that moving into industry does not mean leaving behind their identity as physicists.
In addition, the event featured contributions from the Office for Alumni Relations, CERN Venture Connect, and IdeaSquare. All three emphasised the importance of networking and highlighted the strength and transferability of a CERN experience.
The event attracted over 400 participants and was opened by CERN’s new Director-General, Prof Mark Thomson. In his remarks, he underlined that CERN’s people are exceptionally talented, and many go on to build outstanding careers in industry while maintaining strong ties to CERN through the Alumni Network.
Feedback from participants further highlighted the impact of the event. Notably, 90% of respondents indicated that they would recommend the LHC Career Networking Event to others considering a transition to industry.
As one participant shared:
“I came to the event as a newbie towards the move to industry. This event specifically taught me where to start, what the possibilities are, and showed me the people I can connect to.“
Another attendee reflected on the accessibility and value of the sessions:
“I learn that there are still opportunities for me and my career outside of physics research. More importantly, I only attended the talks remotely, yet the talks were brilliant, eye-opening, and reassuring for me.“
Participants also highlighted the visibility and effectiveness of the Alumni Network:
“I learned that the CERN Alumni network is actually very active and that it helped many in their quest for a job - especially the first one after leaving academia.“
The CERN Alumni Network offers a range of opportunities to connect with peers, seek mentorship, participate in events, and engage in regional or interest groups. These are all powerful ways to build and sustain a professional network. Research consistently shows that approximately 80% of jobs are secured through networking rather than formal job advertisements, making the Alumni Network an essential resource for those looking to create meaningful and mutually beneficial professional connections.