When NASA Called, Achintya Bairat Answered

Keith’s note: I asked Achintya Bairat (social accounts) from NASA JSC if I could post this rather inspiring story he just posted on LinkedIn. Wow. What an experience. Space is a potent calling. “April 16th is a day etched into my memory forever. In the morning, I received a call for an interview for my dream job at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Two hours later, I got a call from my doctor. “We’ve diagnosed you with stage 4 metastatic cancer. If we don’t treat this now, you won’t have a future to worry about, let alone an interview.” As fate would have it, my first surgery was scheduled for the exact same time and day as my NASA interview.” More below

“I thought this was it. At this point I was fully coming to terms with the reality that my dreams are over, possibly even my life. I wanted to give my interview in the pre-op room, knowing I would do anything not to give up this opportunity I’ve been working for years. Grad school, a bachelors degree, all those late nights studying hard, plans skipped, windowless labs, energy and so much more but more importantly the hope. I couldn’t give that up.

Although the email says no interview reschedules, I took the risk and made a decision last minute to request a reschedule for my emergency surgery knowing it would be better than interviewing while I’m being prepped to the OR. I drafted an email and clicked send as I was wheeled into the room.

I got on the table and stared into the bright lights mind racing about my life, my family, my dreams. Before I knew it I was already waking up in a bed many hours later.

As soon as I gained my senses, I asked for my phone and started reading through the notifications. I found the message titled NASA interview.

“We are sorry… we have a very limited window to complete interviews…”

My heart drops

I immediately click to email and read the rest to see “but we will approve your request to reschedule your interview.”

Oh man was I so relieved. I could barely walk but, I took the call as soon as I physically could. In my head I knew I’d remember this moment for the rest of my life. I thought I could hear my heart pounding through my chest while I was waiting. The hour ended faster than I’d anticipated. And then I waited.

Eventually I got a call ultimately letting me know I have been offered an opportunity to work at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.”

by Achintya Bairat (socials)