All badges revealed - Celebrating alumni who give back
With the release of the volunteering badges, the CERN Alumni Engagement Programme has now officially unveiled its full suite of recognition badges—each one a testament to how our members stay connected, give back, and make this community thrive.
From mentoring and speaking at events to managing local groups and supporting the CAAB, this final badge category celebrates the many ways alumni contribute their time and expertise to strengthen the Network.
🎖 A badge might already be shining on your profile—go have a look!
In the volunteering category, CERN Alumni can earn the following badges:
👥 Down – Awarded to those who manage and grow regional or interest-based groups, building connections through events and community initiatives.
🌟 Charm – For alumni who volunteer as mentors, guiding others through career challenges with wisdom and empathy.
🎤 Strange – Given to speakers, panellists, and moderators who help bring events to life and spark meaningful conversations.
🏢 Top – For those who help organise career-focused events like our Virtual Company Showrooms.
🎪 Beauty – Recognising alumni who volunteer for larger CERN events such as the Open Days.
📈 Up – Celebrating those who support the CERN Alumni Advisory Board (CAAB) and help shape the future of the Network.
Each badge celebrates a different way of giving back. But collectively, they speak to the spirit of our community—a network not just of professionals, but of passionate volunteers making CERN's mission live on.
Giving back, getting enriched
Time and again, our alumni tell us how fulfilling it is to stay involved:
"I decided to become a group manager because there was no group in Germany at that time, and I found it very cool what the groups in other countries were doing. CERN was where I met the most amazing people during my time there in 2012/13, and I thought it would be amazing to meet people like that in Germany. Through the preparation of the events, we created not only networking opportunities for alumni and the exchange of CERN stories but also, at least for me, true and amazing friendships. I think the most memorable event will always be the first, where Rachel joined us in Munich and 40 people came to connect and have fun at the Biergarten."– Anna Merz, Berlin group manager
"I was invited by the CERN Alumni team to moderate this keynote talk and accepted without hesitation. I was thrilled to have been asked and would have gladly moderated any session of the Collisions event or taken part in other ways. I took part in past editions and always came away feeling that I had learned so much from interacting with other CERN alumni and the Alumni team (including how to make a large, complex event run smoothly for the participants!). The Third Collisions event again reminded me of how incredible the CERN alumni community is—not only through what they have achieved in their fields but also in the collaborative spirit and passion for science that continues to drive them (us)."– Ana Godinho, Third Collisions moderator
"For me, a mentor’s role is about listening and sometimes asking obvious questions rather than giving advice. Simple and empathetic listening most often than not works wonders, as the mentee tends to find the answers herself just by verbalizing her worries."– Rocio Perez-Ochoa, mentor
"My role was to support the RP staff in demonstrating to visitors the professionalism of radiation protection at CERN. This is why I volunteered to help at the 2019 CERN Open Days. What I gained from my participation is a re-immersion in my previous activities at CERN. I think alumni should help during Open Days by presenting to the public what they know and can do best." – Manfred Hoefert, Open Days volunteer
Your time matters
These badges are a recognition of real impact—from helping others grow professionally, to keeping the alumni spirit alive through events and engagement. As always, if you feel a badge is missing from your profile and you’ve contributed in any of these ways, get in touch with us at [email protected]. We’ll be happy to look into it.
💡 Whether you're guiding a mentee or organising the next regional meetup—your engagement makes a difference.
And now, it comes with a badge.