CERN Technical Student Selection Experience

Summary

In this candid and inspiring video, the creator shares the full story of how he became a technical student at CERN despite facing hundreds of rejections from top companies like Google, Apple, and Microsoft. He walks through the demanding CERN application process, including the lengthy forms, video interviews, failed and successful technical interviews, and the struggle of convincing his university to let him take a one-year break. Along the way, he reflects on his weak early resume, personal doubts, family skepticism, and the life-changing experiences he gained while living and working in Switzerland for 14 months, offering viewers an honest behind-the-scenes look at perseverance and ambition.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker applied to over 200 internships in 2018, including top tech companies and startups, and was only selected by CERN.
• 😀 CERN's application process involved a long, detailed home-built portal with around 100 questions covering academic, technical, and personal experiences.
• 😀 After submitting the application on February 9, 2018, the next step was a Sonru video interview with timed questions, received on April 20, 2018.
• 😀 The first interview with the Beams Department on May 16, 2018, went poorly due to rusty Java knowledge, despite strong preparation in algorithms.
• 😀 A second interview with the FAB Department on June 14, 2018, was successful, resulting in selection as a technical student, confirmed on June 18, 2018.
• 😀 Convincing the university to allow a one-year break required navigating multiple departments and professors, eventually using the legal provision to finish a 4-year degree within 7 years.
• 😀 The speaker’s original resume was sparse and mostly filled with minor experiences and skills; recommendation letters included two from professors and one from a previous workplace.
• 😀 CERN contracts are typically 12 months, extendable to 14 months; the speaker also managed vacation days and special home leave to attend university exams in India.
• 😀 The speaker highlights the importance of honesty on resumes, thorough interview preparation, and persistence in overcoming administrative challenges.
• 😀 Memorable experiences at CERN included a Halloween party, working on diverse projects, and the personal satisfaction of being selected as the youngest technical student from India.
• 😀 Lessons learned emphasize perseverance, strategic planning, realistic self-presentation, and building good relationships with professors for institutional approvals.
• 😀 Even after CERN, the speaker continued applying to other programs, like a summer research fellowship at the University of Auckland, but nothing matched the intensity of CERN’s selection process.

Q & A

When did the speaker apply for the CERN Technical Student Program?

The speaker applied on February 9, 2018, using CERN's home-built application form, which was very detailed and included around 100 questions.

What was unique about CERN's application form at the time?

The form was very large, asking detailed questions about knowledge and experience in various subjects, workplace preferences, and personal experiences. It required extensive preparation and careful handling due to session timeouts in the browser.

What is Sonru and how was it used in the CERN selection process?

Sonru is a video interview platform where the applicant answers flashcard-style questions within a time limit. The speaker received an email on April 20, 2018, to complete this video interview as part of the selection process.

How did the first interview with the Beams department go?

The first interview on May 16, 2018, went very poorly because the speaker's Java knowledge was rusty, even though they had prepared extensively in algorithms. Only one or two questions were answered correctly.

What was the outcome of the second interview?

The second interview, conducted by the FAP department on June 14, 2018, went much better, and the speaker was selected as a CERN Technical Student. The selection email was received on June 18, 2018.

How does CERN's hiring process differ from typical companies?

At CERN, multiple departments compete to hire technical students. Different teams may be interested in the same applicant, and the process is less centralized than at other organizations.

What challenges did the speaker face in getting university approval to attend CERN?

The speaker had to convince multiple professors and navigate red tape. The legal allowance that a four-year degree can be completed in seven years was used to argue for a one-year leave. Eventually, the undergraduate dean approved the leave.

How did the speaker manage university exams while at CERN?

The speaker used accumulated vacation days and four special home leaves to take one month off in September to return to India, complete mid-semester exams, and appear in university before returning to CERN.

What reflections did the speaker share about their CERN experience?

The speaker described the experience as extraordinary both personally and professionally. They emphasized persistence despite rejections, bureaucratic challenges, and the importance of accurately representing skills on a resume.

What advice did the speaker give regarding resumes for applications like CERN?

Initially, the speaker filled their resume with filler content, which was not ideal. They advise only listing skills and experiences that are genuine and well-practiced to avoid being questioned on topics you are not proficient in.

How long was the speaker's CERN internship and was it extended?

The original contract was for 12 months, from September 1, 2018, to August 31, 2019, and it was extended by 2 months until October 31, 2019.

Did the speaker participate in any notable events at CERN?

Yes, the speaker enjoyed a Halloween-themed party on October 31, 2019, which they mentioned as their favorite event during their internship.