10 Questions with Christian Gottfried
At CERN: Different contracts between 1970-2010
Today: Retired Teacher in Vienna, Austria
1) When did you work at CERN (including its Scientific Collaborations) and what did you work on?
"Staying at CERN from 1970 to 1975, I contributed to the CERN-Hamburg-Orsay-Vienna (CHOV ) group in the Split Field Magnet (SMS) experiment at the Intersecting Storage Rings (ISR ).
From 1975 to about 2002 I contributed as a scientific assistant in the Vienna High Energy Physics Institute HEPHY, being involved in SPS experiment WA6 and preparing for DELPHI and LHC Experiments."
2) What is your best memory of working at CERN?
"Getting friends from all over the world"
3) What is your current job and where is it located?
"Retired Teacher on higher vocational school in Vienna Austria, teaching Physics, Maths, Programming"
4) What skills did you develop during your CERN work experience which have been particularly useful in your subsequent career trajectory?
"Programming, cutting edge physics, group dynamics"
5) Which skills (if any) did you need to develop further when you left CERN to face your next professional challenges?
"Didactics for understandable presentation of scientific stuff"
6) What tips would you give to someone who is considering a career transition from academia to industry?
"Be sure that you will be satisfied with less science and more project management"
7) What advice would you give your younger self?
"Find out which basic knowledge and abilities are necessary for a satisfying work in the field you aim at and make sure that you internalize these basics"
8) Do you still keep a close eye on what’s going on at CERN?
"Occasionally"
9) In your opinion, what is the unique value of the CERN Alumni Network?
"You work together in an honest and friendly manner with people from all over the world not minding their religion, political attitude and culture"
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?
Music: "Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A major, K.622 - because it touches my heart"
Book: ""Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!" by R. Feynman - because this very very bright man can explain physics to nonphysicists with humour and didactic skill ."
Luxury Item: "Jan Vermeer - The Art of Painting - because to own this picture would give me pleasure"