How a General Engineering Degree Led Me to CERN

As a recent graduate of General Engineering from the University of Sheffield, my career path has taken me on an incredible journey to the European Organization for Nuclear Research, or CERN, in Switzerland. I'm currently working there as an engineer. It's been an amazing journey so far.

My core responsibilities at CERN involve overseeing multidisciplinary construction and renovation projects. In this highly regulated research environment, I have to ensure that all technical, safety, and operational requirements are met. My day-to-day work is a mix of different tasks, including:

• Project Management & Coordination: I lead projects from beginning to end, handling everything from planning and scheduling to budgeting and engaging with various stakeholders. I coordinate multiple contractors, covering everything from civil works and HVAC to electrical systems and specialist asbestos removal.
• Technical Assessment & Compliance: I assess structural, environmental, and safety constraints. This includes dealing with hazardous materials like asbestos and lead paint, and making sure we comply with fire safety, hygiene, accessibility, and CERN's own technical standards.
• Procurement & Contract Management: I prepare bills of quantities and tender documentation, manage framework contracts for civil works, and oversee the performance of our contractors.
• Stakeholder & Client Liaison: I communicate with experiment owners, technical departments, building occupants, and regulatory bodies to make sure everyone is on the same page and that project objectives are aligned.
• On-Site Supervision & Quality Assurance: I monitor all the work to ensure safety and quality, and to make sure we're sticking to the project timeline. A big part of this is coordinating site access and minimizing disruptions to the scientific work.
• Specialist Project Delivery: I get to deliver all sorts of projects, from asbestos-contaminated façade refurbishments and kitchen renovations to clean room conversions and laboratory fit-outs.
• Budget Oversight: I manage budgets of up to CHF 860,000, focusing on cost control and making sure we get value for money.
• Multilingual Communication: I had to learn French to communicate effectively with local contractors, suppliers, and colleagues. This was probably the biggest learning curve of my entire role!

My Achievements and What Prepared Me for CERN

One of the most rewarding parts of my job is getting to manage work interventions in the service caverns of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) for the CMS and ATLAS experiments. Going down into the tunnels is a whole process—I have to wear a lot of personal protective equipment (PPE), including an oxygen-deficiency hazard (ODH) alarm, a self-rescue mask, and two different types of dosimeters to measure radiation levels.

My time at the University of Sheffield was crucial in preparing me for this role. The General Engineering modules, especially GEE1011, 201, and 301, were incredibly helpful. They taught me how to manage projects effectively, a skill I didn't realize would be so beneficial. The program also gave me a foundational knowledge of different disciplines like electrical, mechanical, and HVAC engineering, which is a huge help when I'm working with specialists in those fields.

But perhaps the most valuable takeaway from my degree was learning to communicate across different disciplines and cultures. At CERN, you rarely find two people with the same background or nationality in the same room. Having the skills to communicate effectively in this environment is a big asset.

My experience as an inclusions officer for the Medics' Orchestra (now the Concert Orchestra) also helped. It gave me valuable experience in managing my own projects and taught me the importance of being approachable, a quality that led to me being appointed the HR liaison graduate for feedback within my department.

Advice for Engineering Students

My biggest piece of advice for students interested in studying engineering at Sheffield is to not underestimate the value of teamwork. Group design projects are a huge part of the General Engineering course, and being able to collaborate, lead, and communicate clearly is just as important—if not more important—than knowing your equations. It’s a skill that will serve you well, no matter where your career takes you.