17-year-old Neil deGrasse Tyson sent his résumé to Carl Sagan in 1975, and the astronomer wrote back

Many of us who achieve big things in life start because someone saw our potential and expressed interest in our skills. Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson found inspiration and encouragement from late astronomer and planetary scientist Carl Sagan when he was 17 years old, according to Open Culture. The then-teen had written to Sagan with no expectations, just his résumé and application; he was just a fan, expressing his love for Sagan’s work and how he was following in a similar path, he revealed in an interview. To his surprise, the man wrote back.

In a glimpse of the letter shared by u/aplusbistoaasaistob, the astronomer first described his résumé as “interesting.” He continued, “I was especially glad to see that, for a career in astronomy, you intend to do your undergraduate work in physics. In this way, you will acquire the essential tools for a wide range of subsequent astronomical endeavors.” Commending his qualities and experience, Sagan also made an unreal offer. “We could probably engage you in real astronomical research during your undergraduate career here, if the possibility interests you. For example, we hope to be bringing back to Ithaca in late calendar year 1976 an enormous array of Viking data on Mars, both from the orbiters and from the landers,” he wrote.

Having received this much interest from a groundbreaking astronomer was an honor in itself. On top of that, being invited into real research served as the best boost for Tyson. He went to meet Sagan, and the experience was surreal. “He gave me a tour of his lab. I'm in his office, he reaches back, pulls out one of his books, signs it to me,” Tyson recalled. After an ethereal experience, it was time for him to go back, and Sagan was ever so gentle, dropping him at the station and even sharing his number in case of any issues. 

“I thought to myself, who am I? I'm just some high school kid,” Tyson remarked. He was stoked at the meeting; however, he didn’t take up the offer and chose to pursue studying at Harvard University. In his follow-up letter to Sagan, the teenager professionally noted that he chose the University “because they have a larger astronomy department in addition to the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory,” and that it would serve as exposure to both his interests in physics and astronomy. Tyson also mentioned that it was an honor to have made his acquaintance.

“To this day, I have this duty to respond to students who are inquiring about the universe as a career path, to respond to them in the way that Carl Sagan had responded to me,” he said. As a student, with hope in his eyes, Tyson was fueled by the encouraging words the astronomer wrote. It definitely boosted his confidence and his goal to bring him where he is today. People were grateful for this kindness from the late Sagan's end. @DasnarkyRemarky said, "Looking up from the stars now, Sagan would be so proud of his protege." @AmieB2005 remarked, "There is a grander purpose to the role of a celebrity scientist. They may be inspiring the next Einstein." 

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