When I was a first grader, the teacher asked us to draw what we wanted to be when we grew up. It was the very first time the question crossed my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle loving mind. Once coming to the realization that I couldn’t be a Ninja Turtle, I knew that I would one day become a Trash Man. Those guys on the back of the truck looked like they were having so much fun. Rain or shine they were on the back of that truck, stopping at each house to rid of our trash. Not only did it look cool, but it sounded like a great time as well. In the early morning I could hear the truck from far up the street. The sound of bottles smashing, various items crushing, and empty trash bins being thrown back gently to the curb had me smiling. Oh yeah, that’s what I was going to be!
For some reason, we never forget our answers. Kids spend much time wondering what exactly will come of us when we are an adult, and unlike now, time didn’t fly when we were that young. Back then, 6 months would feel like 6 years. Adults seemed so old, and it was strange to think of growing up as a kid. A first grade field trip led to a bus conversation/argument with my two best friends at that time. We were arguing about who had the oldest father. Having the oldest dad was a cool thing, obviously. At one point in our friendly argument I shouted, “Oh yeah!? Well, my dad’s almost 40!”. The teacher must have told my mother about this because it’s brought up every now and then.
At that age, we all picked jobs for ourselves that sounded fun. What happened to us? In the process of “growing up”, we began thinking about things like salary for specific careers, which industries will be hiring in the future, going into the family business for whatever reason, and a slew of other thoughts that certainly didn’t have anything to do with the fun level of the job. Many people (not children), that I talk to today joke with me and say, “I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up”. Well, even if you are joking, to answer that question let’s think about what your answer was when you were a kid. Let’s have some fun with this, shall we?
Reply back to this post answering the following questions?
- What did you want to be when you grew up?
- What did you actually become, or choose to be (if still in school or training)?
- Optional Question. What do you want to be when you grow up, if asked now?
I’ll start us off!
- What did I want to be when I grew up? - Trash Man
- What have I become? - Recruiter/Staffing Specialist in Human Resources
- And, if asked what I want to be when I grow up now? - I want to be a kid again, one that absolutely loves the thought of being a Trash Man.
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
The next Steve Prefontaine
Technical Recruiter
Sales Rep
What did you want to be when you grew up? A history teacher
What did you actually become, or choose to be (if still in school or training)? biz analyst
Optional Question. What do you want to be when you grow up, if asked now? A sports agent
What did you want to be when you grew up? Actress
What did you actually become? Account Executive for ASI
What do you want to be when you grow up, if I asked now? A sports broadcaster
What did you want to be when you grew up? A Psychologist/Medical Doctor/or Vet…..A few years later it was a Fashion Designer/Chef/Business Owner.
What did you actually become, or choose to be (if still in school or training)? I sell drugs. (Pharmaceutical Sales)
Optional Question. What do you want to be when you grow up, if asked now? The owner of a Yoga Studio/Cafe
What did you want to be when you grew up? Dancer
What did you actually become? Sales Executive
What do you want to be when you grow up, if asked now? An event/wedding planner
What did I used to want to be when I was growing up?
Hmmm, I believe I wanted to be a police man, or run a country club or hotel.
What do I do now?
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions @ Cabrini College.
What do I want to be when I grow up now?
I’d like to progress in my current field, but if I had it my way, I would love to be a lobster boat fisherman off the coast of Maine. Seriously.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A pilot
What did you actually become, or choose to be (if still in school or training)?
Currently a financial aid counselor
What do you want to be when you grow up, if asked now?
A therapist or a pilot
1. What did you want to be when you grew up?
a weather girl, country western singer, doctor
2. What did you actually become, or choose to be (if still in school or training)?
The best medical sales recruiter in the nation.
(no kidding)
3. Optional Question. What do you want to be when you grow up, if asked now?
Same – but maybe ride/train quarterhorses on the side.
1. What did you want to be when you grew up?
~President of the United States of America or UN Ambassador because I wanted to change the world and make it a better place
)
2. What did you actually become, or choose to be (if still in school or training)?
~Bilingual First Grade School Teacher
3. Optional Question. What do you want to be when you grow up, if asked now?
~To change the world and make it a better place… maybe I’m doing it one student at a time… but if I really had to pick: to be a kid again
1. What did I want to be when I grew up?
Veterinarian
2. WHat did you actually become: Salesperson
3. What do you want to be when you grow up, if asked now?
Jazz singer
PS – this is SUCH a fun topic
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Ticket-taker on the NJ Turnpike or a nun
What did you actually become, or choose to be (if still in school or training)?
Resume Writer / Business Owner
Optional Question. What do you want to be when you grow up, if asked now?
Jewelry Designer / Artist
1. What did I want to be when I grew up? – fashion designer, teacher, famous
2. What have I become? – High volume recruitment and staffing process design and delivery
3. And, if asked what I want to be when I grow up now? – Restaurant critic or drummer in a band
I always wanted to Superman’s sidekick and have superpowers instead I went from being a Minister to Teacher. Not bad but I still wish I had superpowers to control the minds of some students.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a lot of things– it depended on the week–as it still does. However I think I always REALLY wanted to be a nun or a basketball coach…really- don’t ask.
What did you actually become, or choose to be (if still in school or training)? As of right now I am an Account Manager/Technical Recruiter.
What do you want to be when you grow up, if asked now?
I want and will earn my Masters and become a Professor (Eng/His), and publish my own research.
I wouldn’t be in my current job if I didn’t take chances– so there is nothing stopping me from achieving the next thing on my list of life. Everything in life involves stepping stones, but you don’t always have to take them one at a time. The only people that stop us from doing these things tend to be ourselves.
1. When I was a kid, I always had the dream of owning my own comic book shop.
2. Right now I am currently an accountant, although I was recently layed off and am currently seeking work.
3. If asked what I would like to be today, I would say either an accountant in the area of taxes or I would even love to back to school and get a masters in education because I would love to work in an educational setting, particularly a college.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A Carney
What did you actually become, or choose to be (if still in school or training)?
A Recruiter, basically the same thing without the ferris wheel.
Optional Question. What do you want to be when you grow up, if asked now?
A Pub Owner in Ireland
What did you want to be when you grew up? Farmer
What did you actually become? Graphic Designer
What do you want to be when you grow up, if asked now? Photo Journalist
Professional Athelete in any sport
Support Manager
Momo’s bartender..ok seriously Bookstore owner
I wanted to be a baseball player (?), ballerina and a doctor, because at the time i thought it was cool to have the same initials twice… M.D., M.D.
i also ate tons of jelly because my sister told me it would make my hair curly….
I was in litigation support, and then non-profit sales but got layed off in March…
I am seriously thinking about going back to school to get my master’s in education or nursing… fields that are always hiring. Although my dream would be to live off of my art and be able to travel-
I LOVE THIS QUESTION!!!
1. What did you want to be when you grew up?
-Rodney Dangerfield. Realistically, a firefighter.
2. What did you actually become, or choose to be (if still in school or training)?
-Science/Medical Editor
3. Optional Question. What do you want to be when you grow up, if asked now?
-Rodney Dangerfield
1. What did I want to be when I grew up? – The voice of a cartoon character in a Disney Movie
2. What have I become? – Graphic Designer
3. And, if asked what I want to be when I grow up now? – Independently wealthy
That is an awesome first answer. Interesting that maybe now you can draw/design the characters that you would have loved to be the voice of. Hope #3 is on your way!
1. Virologist
2. HR Consultant/Sales Rep
3. Chef/Owner
How’s that for all over the career aspiration map?
Wow, as a youngster you wanted to be a Virologist? Impressive!
Glad you found yourself in HR, so we could make the connection.
What’s your special dish?
1. What did you want to be when you grew up? An ACME Checkout Girl – I was 4 give me a break
2. What did you actually become, or choose to be (if still in school or training)? Event Planner
3. What do you want to be when you grow up, if asked now? Event Planner for a large Restaurant or Hotel Chain focusing mainly on weddings.