10 Questions with Lígia Marina Pinto de Almeida Amorim

1) When did you work at CERN (including its Scientific Collaborations) and what did you work on? 
"From 2004 to 2014 I worked within the ISOLDE collaboration, researching emission channelling of nitrides for solid state physics. I was first there as a summer student, then as a master student and became a regular visitor during my PhD." 

2) What is your best memory of working at CERN? 
"The canteen was by far the place where my mind instantly goes to. All these people, from all over the world get together like it is the most natural thing, whether they are summer students and enthusiasts or the very best at their field and share a meal while sharing natural comments and smiles. It is utopian."

3) What is your current job and where is it located? 
"I am a SW developer for BMW in Lisbon."

4) What skills did you develop during your CERN work experience which have been particularly useful in your subsequent career trajectory? 
"I think you can't really list a set of skills I picked up. I think mostly I matured, as a human being and a professional. All those concepts of grandeur from adulation were replaced by the natural interaction between people and the gratification it brings. I developed an accute sense of curiosity, many field interaction and a general ease with English and overall presentation of thoughts and ideas."

5) Which skills (if any) did you need to develop further when you left CERN to face your next professional challenges?
"SW development and other technical skills which were well on the way but needed grooming."

6) What tips would you give to someone who is considering a career transition from academia to industry? 
"Learn to value your overall experience rather than the specific knowledge you gathered." 

7) What advice would you give your younger self? 
"Don't stress too much planning, you always need a plan, a backup plan, and the notion that neither will eventually come to pass but a real-time adaptation of it and that is the beauty of life."

8) Do you still keep a close eye on what’s going on at CERN? 
"I do, and with great interest I get news from new discoveries now and then."

9) In your opinion, what is the unique value of the CERN Alumni Network? 
"At CERN, I have met lots of people I still treasure as friends. Ties forged under the pressure of data collection are strong and sturdy. Also, during the time I was at CERN I saw lots of colleagues leave academia and get into the most varied areas of the industry. I think this overview of all the areas we could opt to pursue was the second greatest thing I got from the Alumni Network."

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?
"I would for sure choose "I will always love you" from Dolly for it is the music I can never get tired of listening to.

The book, I guess is a harder choice but I would have to go with "My sweet orange tree" because it will always warm my heart no matter how hard life gets.

The luxury item would be a smartphone with a solar charger that would contain a huge amount of books and music so I could beat the system."