10 Questions with Dominik Andreas Tröster

1) When did you work at CERN (including its Scientific Collaborations) and what did you work on?
"June - August 1979 Summer Student."
"September 1984 PS182 search for baryonium, built logic unit for trigger and fast CAMAC readout processor CERN 84-03."
"October 1984 - December 1989 PS195 study on CP violation using tagged Kzero from annihilation at rest of slow Pbar, architecture of dataflow trigger processor."

2) What is your best memory of working at CERN?
"The fun of open discussion, high level competition for the best result as a team."

3) What is your current job and where is it located?
"Writing a book on 'How, not why' - a child's question."

4) What skills did you develop during your CERN work experience which have been particularly useful in your subsequent career trajectory?
"Listening. How can you help if you have not understood?"
"Change management. How to improve processes while keeping every step reversible, maintaining compatibility in heterogeneous nation-wide network."

5) Which skills (if any) did you need to develop further when you left CERN to face your next professional challenges?
"Finance and accounting."

6) What tips would you give to someone who is considering a career transition from academia to industry?
"Keep it simple, keep a foot in academia, learn another language, become employable in some real-world profession. Look for something to be proud of."

7) What advice would you give your younger self?
"Listen between the lines. Take your time - you are not late. Stay sober."

8) Do you still keep a close eye on what’s going on at CERN?
"Yes I do."

9) In your opinion, what is the unique value of the CERN Alumni Network?
"In a way, we are the same (bosons). We share a common notion for truth, excellence, stubborn patience. It feels good to be understood."

10) Imagine you are stranded on a desert island. You can have one piece of music, one book and one luxury item. Which music, book and luxury item would you choose and why?

• "Gospel (I like singing, bass, in choir)"
• "Holy Bible (there is more juice in this dry bamboo than you might imagine)"
• "Tissot T-Touch watch (it counts steps, gives the north, altitude and recharges its accumulator with sunlight, has an alarm and a timer, and what else)"