Interviews
Interviews
Podcast
30.4.2024
Nicola Winter is a pilot, engineer, keynote speaker and university lecturer. In 2022, she made it to the 17 finalists out of over 22,500 applicants and ultimately into the ESA astronaut reserve. She is also studying for a doctorate in aerospace engineering and is studying for a professional helicopter pilot's license. Flying, space and adventure are her passions. In the interview, she talks about superheroes, what the term "wealth" means to her and which developments she believes are particularly promising in the economic and financial sector.
In my family, there is a long tradition of strong women who have realized their dreams. My grandmother was a successful glider pilot. I always had inspiring role models and pilots fascinated me from an early age. So I decided to join the German Armed Forces. A decision that was rather unusual for a woman at the time and my parents were also skeptical. But when I was accepted into the Bundeswehr, it was a great moment for me. I proved to myself that it's worth just trying things out and doing them.
I used to think of pilots as superheroes. But over the course of my career, I have learned that they are just as normal people as anyone else - with all their strengths and weaknesses. We are all human and everyone is unique. If I'm interested in something, I apply. I prepare myself thoroughly and in the end I'm just as human as everyone else - not a genius, not a superhero. You just have to give it a go. What all pilots have in common is that they had the courage to apply. I never let doubts stop me, I always asked myself: do I really want to do this? That's why I believe in hard work and perseverance. No matter how much talent you have, if you don't stick with it, it's no use. Perseverance and good preparation are the key to success!
For me, wealth and therefore money is a kind of freedom. I have developed an understanding of how to deal with money. The ideal situation for me is when I don't have to constantly think about whether I can afford something or not. I was always motivated to earn enough money so that I didn't have to worry about that. Over time, I have developed different sources of income to build up wealth .
At the age of 14 or 15, I realized for the first time that money and freedom are closely linked. From the age of 14, I kept taking on student jobs and earning my own money. When I was 19, straight after leaving school, I joined the army. That gave me a fixed salary. And back then, the sum of 1,200 euros was a lot of money for me that I could use freely. There were also moments in my youth when I stood at the ATM and couldn't withdraw any money. That taught me that money and the freedom that comes with it are something valuable.
Today, real estate and funds in particular play a role for me as asset classes. I am interested in these topics, but I don't allow myself to get too caught up in them. The most important thing is to inform yourself and find out what suits you and your needs best.
I have various goals that I am working on and trying to achieve. I am very open to what may or may not happen. I'm currently completing my training as a helicopter pilot and I'm also doing my doctorate. I would like to pass on my knowledge and work with young people. I also continue to make every effort to create enthusiasm in our society for space travel. Compared to neighboring countries such as France, the topic of space travel is not as present in Germany, although it is extremely fascinating and offers many opportunities, especially for young people.
About the person:
Nicola Winter joined the German Air Force after graduating from high school and graduated from the Air Force Officer School as the "Best Officer Student of the Flying Service". She became Germany's second female fighter pilot. In 2015, she retrained for the Eurofighter - as one of three women in the German Air Force. At the same time, she studied aerospace engineering. After a stopover in management consulting and industry, she now works in aerospace research, as a lecturer, keynote speaker and crisis consultant. She is also doing her doctorate, obtaining her professional helicopter pilot's license and continuing to work on realizing her dream of one day flying into space.
Interviews
30.4.2024
Jonas Mückl
Nicola Winter made it into the ESA astronaut reserve in 2022. In this interview, she talks about superheroes and reveals how she managed to beat 22,500 applicants.
Nicola Winter is a pilot, engineer, keynote speaker and university lecturer. In 2022, she made it to the 17 finalists out of over 22,500 applicants and ultimately into the ESA astronaut reserve. She is also studying for a doctorate in aerospace engineering and is studying for a professional helicopter pilot's license. Flying, space and adventure are her passions. In the interview, she talks about superheroes, what the term "wealth" means to her and which developments she believes are particularly promising in the economic and financial sector.
In my family, there is a long tradition of strong women who have realized their dreams. My grandmother was a successful glider pilot. I always had inspiring role models and pilots fascinated me from an early age. So I decided to join the German Armed Forces. A decision that was rather unusual for a woman at the time and my parents were also skeptical. But when I was accepted into the Bundeswehr, it was a great moment for me. I proved to myself that it's worth just trying things out and doing them.
I used to think of pilots as superheroes. But over the course of my career, I have learned that they are just as normal people as anyone else - with all their strengths and weaknesses. We are all human and everyone is unique. If I'm interested in something, I apply. I prepare myself thoroughly and in the end I'm just as human as everyone else - not a genius, not a superhero. You just have to give it a go. What all pilots have in common is that they had the courage to apply. I never let doubts stop me, I always asked myself: do I really want to do this? That's why I believe in hard work and perseverance. No matter how much talent you have, if you don't stick with it, it's no use. Perseverance and good preparation are the key to success!
For me, wealth and therefore money is a kind of freedom. I have developed an understanding of how to deal with money. The ideal situation for me is when I don't have to constantly think about whether I can afford something or not. I was always motivated to earn enough money so that I didn't have to worry about that. Over time, I have developed different sources of income to build up wealth .
At the age of 14 or 15, I realized for the first time that money and freedom are closely linked. From the age of 14, I kept taking on student jobs and earning my own money. When I was 19, straight after leaving school, I joined the army. That gave me a fixed salary. And back then, the sum of 1,200 euros was a lot of money for me that I could use freely. There were also moments in my youth when I stood at the ATM and couldn't withdraw any money. That taught me that money and the freedom that comes with it are something valuable.
Today, real estate and funds in particular play a role for me as asset classes. I am interested in these topics, but I don't allow myself to get too caught up in them. The most important thing is to inform yourself and find out what suits you and your needs best.
I have various goals that I am working on and trying to achieve. I am very open to what may or may not happen. I'm currently completing my training as a helicopter pilot and I'm also doing my doctorate. I would like to pass on my knowledge and work with young people. I also continue to make every effort to create enthusiasm in our society for space travel. Compared to neighboring countries such as France, the topic of space travel is not as present in Germany, although it is extremely fascinating and offers many opportunities, especially for young people.
About the person:
Nicola Winter joined the German Air Force after graduating from high school and graduated from the Air Force Officer School as the "Best Officer Student of the Flying Service". She became Germany's second female fighter pilot. In 2015, she retrained for the Eurofighter - as one of three women in the German Air Force. At the same time, she studied aerospace engineering. After a stopover in management consulting and industry, she now works in aerospace research, as a lecturer, keynote speaker and crisis consultant. She is also doing her doctorate, obtaining her professional helicopter pilot's license and continuing to work on realizing her dream of one day flying into space.
About the author
Jonas Mückl
