Launching the CERN Alumni San Francsicso Bay area regional group

CERN alumni gathered at the campus of Stanford University, in Palo Alto, California, on Thursday, the 24th of March 2022 for the kickoff event, launching the CERN alumni San Francisco Bay Area regional group.

Alumni reminisced and shared their experiences of having worked at the lab, some back in the '80s and early '90s others  as recently as the 2010s. Those alumni present explained the trajectories their careers have taken since leaving the Organisation; sectors ranging from crypto currencies, to autonomous vehicles, academia, financial services, medical physics and the tech industry.

Alumni were enthusiastic about reconnecting and making new connections with alumni having a shared CERN experience and discussed their ideas and suggestions for future meet ups. Many are keen to share their experience with soon-to-be alumni considering a move to the Bay area, either in academia or a different sector.

This is the 13th CERN alumni regional group to launch and the 4th in the United States. Regional groups are essential hubs to maintain links with CERN and its community and a means for alumni to continue supporting CERN’s mission of fundamental research as ambassadors for the Organization. For those alumni working for companies seeking talent, the alumni network provides access to a highly skilled and diverse talent pool and the possibility to advertise job opportunities on alumni.cern.

Rachel Bray, Head of CERN alumni relations highlighted the importance of keeping one’s alumni.cern profile up to date, not only to enhance one’s networking experience but also to assist the office for alumni relations demonstrate the positive impact of a professional experience at CERN to its Member, Associate Member States and funding agencies.

Our thanks to Oskar Dondelewski, Abdennacer Hamdi, and Jie Fu for bringing the group together and to Michael Botlo for securing such a marvellous venue, as well as those alumni who joined for the kick off event.

If you live in the Bay Area and would like to meet like-minded individuals register for the group. Check out other group locations here and if you would like to launch a group in your area, please let us know.