The CERN Alumni Network (CAN) was launched on 8 June 2017. Since then, it has grown into a global community of almost 11 000 members, offering opportunities to connect and grow, both professionally and personally.
Join us on 24 June as we celebrate eight years of the network with a special CERN Alumni day. With a theme in honour of the International Year of Quantum, this virtual event will feature distinguished CERN and alumni guests.
From the outset, CAN has been built on four key pillars:
- Fostering lifelong connections among former and current members of the personnel
- Showcasing the societal impact of professional experience at CERN, highlighting alumni’s diverse and meaningful contributions across sectors globally
- Building a global community of ambassadors who support CERN’s mission, encouraging alumni to stay involved through events, mentoring and outreach
- Supporting career development, especially for those in their early careers and those transitioning from academia to industry.
These objectives translate into tangible benefits for alumni at all stages of their professional journey. Early-career members gain access to jobs, mentoring, career events and peer connections; mid-career professionals and soon-to-be alumni stay involved through mentoring, taking part in events and regional meetups; while senior professionals and retirees stay connected through News from the Lab updates, invitations to events and speaking opportunities. Current CERN staff can also contribute by supporting career transitions, exchanging knowledge with alumni in industry and celebrating the successes of former colleagues.
In 2025, the network is launching a new initiative to recognise and celebrate active alumni engagement, called “the CAN doers”. As part of this initiative, it is introducing a digital badge system on its network website, inspired by particles from the Standard Model. Alumni will earn badges across three categories of engagement: volunteering, experiential and communication. Badges correspond to specific activities that support the community, such as mentoring, speaking at events, participating in alumni gatherings, sharing stories, promoting opportunities or simply staying active on the platform. These digital badges will be displayed on alumni profiles and featured in posts on the CERN Alumni platform and social media channels. The aim is to encourage more alumni to become active community members.
Whether you’re just starting out or reflecting on decades of experience, there’s a place for you in the CERN Alumni Network—and now, a badge to recognise your contribution.
If you haven’t yet done so, sign up to join the CERN Alumni Network here: https://alumni.cern/signup
Full details of CERN Alumni Day and registration are available here: https://alumni.cern/events/182779