PICO Stories webinar: Careers in Physics

This webinar introduces the PICO Project, a European initiative designed to bridge the gap between the public and the field of physics.

In this event, we held an interview with Elena Petsali, a graduate of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, who details her academic transition from a struggling student to a junior researcher.

She describes how a versatile curriculum and participation in extracurricular technical groups helped her develop essential teamwork and problem-solving skills.

The discussion highlights the value of specialised master’s programmes and international internships, such as those at CERN or the ESRF, in preparing students for the workforce. Currently working at CERTH, Elena emphasizes that a physics degree offers diverse career paths in applied research and materials characterisation. Ultimately, the source serves as a guide for students to explore the multifaceted professional opportunities available within the scientific community.