When I first saw the ad for the job, I knew it would take a miracle for the company to hire someone like me. It said “electronics salesman” and the description required somebody with credible scientific knowledge about gadgets and modern technology. I wouldn’t have dreamt of applying for that position except for the fact that they were willing to pay big money for whoever gets the job.

After thinking hard, I said to myself I have nothing to lose and so much to gain. And so fast forward to the interview. The manager asked me politely to enumerate my background about electronics and I thought it was the end of the road for me. I told him about rectangular waveguide transitions and other waveguide stuff I learned from my uncle George who was an engineer who enjoyed showing me things in his home lab.

 I was sure I was babbling at that point when he asked for his secretary. He whispered something to her and after what I thought was a lifetime of silence, he told me I got the job. Whew! Imagine that. Never did I think about waveguides leading me to such a great career.