Minerals had lead me to astronomy at the age of 12. I studied astronomy and was intent on continuing this path. While pondering my next steps, a part-time job changed my future forever.
A scientist, Wolfram Saenger, at the Max-Planck-Institut für experimentelle Medizin in Göttingen, was offering a programmer part-time position. I interviewed and was accepted. At the end of the interview he asked me whether I would be interested to becocme a graduate student in his research team. Initially I declined but left the final decision open.

During a party at the Sternwarte in Göttingen one of my former professors suggested that I contact Peter Mezger at the Max-Planck- Institut für Radioastronomie. After having arranged a visit to Bonn I discussed my options with Mezger. At the end everything seemed settled: I would join his department as a graduate student and a professor in Göttingen would act as my official thesis supervisor. Then came Mezger"s final question: "Und wovon wollen Sie leben?" - "How do you want to cover your living expenses?".
This one question ended my astronomical career. I pointed out to him that the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft offered grants for graduate students. He demured, telling me that he had no money to support me. It was likely not meant seriously: I was contacted multiple times thereafter asking when I would move to Bonn. I never replied but ultimately got tired and sent a reply that I woudl never come.

I returned to Göttingen the same afternoon, talked to Saenger and asked whether he still wanted me as a grauate student. He said yes and from that moment on I became a protein crystallographer, spending most of my scientific career in that field.