Pooja Pradeep on L&D at CERN | Movers & Shakers Interview

In the latest instalment of our series, we had the privilege of speaking to Pooja Pradeep, Learning and Development Business Partner at the world-renowned European Organization for Nuclear Research [CERN].

From her early beginnings as a counselling psychologist to what sparked her transition into the dynamic world of L&D, Pooja shared a warm and inspiring account of her career journey and the unique experiences that shaped her path.

Reflecting on her career, Pooja discussed the highs and lows - the challenges that tested her, and her unwavering passion for supporting others in their development and growth, which continues to drive her today.

From mentors and managers to her former experiences at the United Nations, World Health Organization, and the World Economic Forum, Pooja also revealed the diverse influences that shaped her approach to leadership and learning.

And finally, we get to know the person behind the profession - including a glimpse into Pooja’s dream breakfast, her favourite music and what brings her the most joy!

Hi Pooja! Thank you for joining us and accepting our invite to feature in this series. To start with, can you give us a brief overview of your role and the key responsibilities you manage as a Learning and Development Business Partner at the European Organization for Nuclear Research [CERN]?

Thank you, it’s a pleasure to be here!

At CERN, I oversee the technical and technical management learning portfolios at CERN. It spans around 250 training programmes across a broad range of learning areas. The role involves needs analysis across the departments at CERN to design and manage programmes that align with evolving demands and partnering with key stakeholders to strategise ways to enhance programme effectiveness.

I oversee a wonderful team that helps support the organisation of this portfolio, and I manage the budget for these portfolios as well as our training centre operations. Overall, it’s an exciting role that I absolutely love!

Where and how did you start your L&D career? Any pivotal roles along the way or unique experiences that shaped your journey?

I began my career as a counselling psychologist, where my passion for analysing and customising interventions using developmental frameworks first took shape. Using those very foundations, and with the exciting possibility to help impact entire teams and organisations, I was inspired to transition to the dynamic world of L&D.

In terms of a pivotal role that shaped my journey I think it would be the core foundations I built as a counselling psychologist: empathy for the user, needs analysis, understanding the key developmental frameworks and shaping your approach through empirical cognitive and behaviour science models — it’s all remained deeply etched in how I approach my work as a L&D professional.

Had you always planned a career in learning, or did you explore any other routes?

From a young age, I was fascinated by the world of psychology - and I still am! While my career path has evolved, the core principles that drive me forward have remained the same and finding new ways of applying these keeps it exciting!

How do you keep your skills fresh? Any go-to resources or habits for staying up to date?

Since I'm a member of CIPD, I tend to follow research and developments via the CIPD updates as well as from the professional network communities I am part of. The podcasts from the Harvard Business Review and TED Talks series are incredibly helpful too and in addition, I find continuous upskilling through learning programmes critical, not only for the knowledge but also for the valuable networks they create.

Completing my Chartered L&D Certification from CIPD allowed me to connect with wonderful professionals in my field. A few years ago, I was also selected for an intense but invaluable programme specialisation from Harvard, which was phenomenal not just for enhancing my skills but for the opportunity to exchange the latest trends and best practices with a fantastic network. Such in-person spaces of exchange where you can deeply dive into rich discussions and share best practices, certainly helps to keep learning fresh and relevant.

Can you share a career high - and a low - that has left a lasting impact? What did you learn from each?

Highs:

One of my career highlights was during my time at the World Health Organization Headquarters and the United Nations, collaborating with over 90 countries and ministries on various projects over the years. These experiences broadened my perspective on the complexity of critical global challenges and the collective efforts and empathy needed to address them. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, having the opportunity to work at the WHO HQ to design and help countries with their pandemic response trainings was an absolutely life-changing moment for me.

Another significant high was perhaps being selected to design and co-lead a training for senior diplomats at the UN, followed by one of my trainings being inaugurated by Dr. Shashi Tharoor. This was an iconic moment, as he’s always been a role model for me. These pictures, needless to say, are part of my framed collection!

Lows:

When I moved to Geneva more than a decade ago, it was my first international move — leaving family behind and heading to a place where I barely knew anyone in my field or the language. Often, I was also the only Indian in the L&D teams I worked with, and not having anyone who looked like you or spoke like you could be overwhelming for someone just starting out.

In addition, I was advised by professionals in Geneva to consider switching professions, as it was perceived as a relatively new field back then with limited scope and support. However, I didn’t want to give up on my passion. I wanted to fervently prove myself, so it ended up being a rather intense, steep, and sometimes lonely journey to navigate. It’s one of the reasons I’m beyond grateful that the L&D teams I worked with believed in me and helped shape some of my dreams into reality.

For those starting in L&D or looking to grow, what advice is essential?

From a learning design perspective, most importantly - have empathy for your users. Be curious, listen to their needs and seek ways to create value and make a meaningful impact. At the end of the day, it's a learner-centric approach that drives truly effective and transformative learning solutions.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job — and what keeps you on your toes?

At CERN, the most rewarding aspect is undoubtedly the people; our team and my colleagues are genuinely the nicest people to work with! I look forward to going to work every day - and I can’t think of anything more rewarding than that! As the L&D Business Partner, I also get to work closely with subject matter experts across diverse fields at CERN. That's truly inspiring for me, as CERN has some of the smartest minds in the world. Their depth of knowledge and passion make it a privilege to design programmes with them.

On the other hand, what keeps me on my toes is the sheer complexity and nuance of working at CERN. The scale and diversity of the learning ecosystem here is truly vast. One size definitely doesn’t fit all; we’re catering to CERN professionals with different technical backgrounds and contexts. This constant need to adapt and ensure that each learner’s experience is impactful and relevant is both a challenge and a source of motivation.

Who are the voices or mentors in L&D you seek out for inspiration, and what makes their perspective valuable to you?

Global leaders in L&D certainly inspire me, but within my career journey, it’s my mentors and managers whose perspectives have been most valuable to me. Early on in my career, I decided to take a chance and actively apply for positions at different workplaces, as I realised it can significantly enhance your learning curve, exposure, and growth. This approach, however, comes with quite some risk; stepping out of your comfort zone, starting from scratch, understanding the unique organisational culture, and adapting to each context without knowing anyone in the teams can be daunting! What works in one organisation often cannot be replicated in another.

This is where the guidance of some of my mentors and managers – with their deep understanding of the unique organisational contexts and wealth of experiences, has often shaped my approach and guided me in exploring new and valuable perspectives.

What’s the best career advice you’ve ever been given, and how has it influenced you?

At the beginning, the lines between personal and professional were often blurred for me. I would take home work challenges and carry their emotional weight. I was then introduced to the concept of healthy detachment at the workplace - and I’ve embraced that ever since. It’s now a lot easier for me to be calm and objective amidst any chaos, and I’ve seen a visible difference in how this shift has significantly impacted my work style, efficiency, and mental health.

What trends or innovations in L&D do you find most exciting right now?

AI is most certainly exciting for L&D as it opens doors to a user-enhanced learning journey and allows L&D professionals to create tailored experiences with real-time analytics and insights. It would allow us to consider a learner's interests, skill set and learning priorities and transition towards a ‘pull’ approach, where the learner takes initiative and can choose trainings most relevant to their interest and needs, rather than a ‘push’ approach, where trainings recommended by the system aren’t necessarily customised to their profiles. It will certainly transform how we could otherwise create impact and engagement. AI’s potential is exciting but, and it goes without saying, we would need to first have the necessary governance and ethics set in place.

Are there any B Corps or businesses with a robust CSR strategy that you find particularly inspiring?

In general, businesses that support environmental and social causes are truly inspiring. They pave the way for us to embrace a community-first ethos and even the smallest steps can collectively create the most significant impact.

What time does your alarm go off? Do you hit snooze or dive right into your day?!

On workdays, more often than not, my alarm is set for 6:30 am and I dive right into the day.

If you could have a dream breakfast anywhere in the world, where would you go, and what would be on the plate?

Gosh, that would certainly be a nice south Indian breakfast cooked by my mom back home!

What book, TV series/film, album and/or podcast are you currently enjoying?

I've just watched Culinary Class Wars on Netflix after recently discovering and enjoying South Korean cuisine. The show is a delightful mix of culture and creativity, making it quite an interesting watch.

Musically, I often gravitate towards a mix of Tamil, Malayalam, and classic Bollywood songs – it’s my soup for the soul!

When it comes to books, most of my reading over the past few years has been related to my field. It’s been a while since I enjoyed a good fiction novel. I recently discovered a nice collection of English fiction at the local library near home, which I assumed only had French books! Hopefully, this summer, I can finally get back to some lovely leisurely reading.

What can’t you get through the day without?

A warm cup of herbal tea, especially in the winter season! It’s my little moment of calm and warmth amidst the hustle and bustle. It’s instantly so comforting.

How do you like to spend your time outside of work?

I love spending time with my husband. I'm happiest when I'm with him, whether it's our travels, hiking up the mountains, binge-watching shows, or just about anything.

Weekends also mean leisurely catching up with my family and friends, who are my absolute lifelines and make it a much-cherished part of my week.

A special thank you to Pooja for sharing her career journey, insights and inspirations with us.