In all of my early years on this big planet, the one question that all different people–babysitters, teachers, distant relative–would ask is: What do you want to be when you grow up?
And me? I wanted to be a veterinarian, as fashion designer, a writer, a doctor, and any other profession I saw in movies or read in books as a child.
As I progressed onto college the questions altered themselves slightly into: What are you majoring in? What are you going to do with that? Like most college students, I wavered between knowing exactly what I wanted to do and having no clue.
I started out as a Biology major with every intention of following the pre-med route because in my 18-year-old mind, becoming a doctor or a business person were the only viable jobs out there. Cue the misery. I continued to force myself through 2 1/2 years of Sunday night biology labs, chemistry tutoring, and enough math that I still get a headache thinking about it today. Bottom line. It wasn’t for me. But what is?
After some deep reflection aka I frantically searched my university’s major list for something that didn’t seem so terrible / I already had enough credits to not add another year to my schooling.
So I chose another major that little others do, with a growing job market, and high starting salary to pay off my student loans: English.
All jokes aside….I always liked English class in both high school and college. Plus, I was a speed reading bookwork, who would bring home stacks from the library every week. My writing skills at that point were average, but could be improved through my class. (From the suggestion of my wonderful Aunt, I also took business courses. Ya know, in case the whole being the next great novelist didn’t work out)
For the most part, I was really happy with my decision to forgo the STEM route. I had wonderful teachers, who instilled in me a passion for writing and discussion. They pushed me to think past my comfort zone and overanalyze anything and everything I read.
Now, I still heard those same questions: Why are you majoring in English? What can you do with that? Are you going to be a teacher? Sigh. I was majoring in English because I LIKED it, not because of the prospective job market, and NO, I didn’t want to be a teacher.
But guess what….I became a teacher.
Because at the end of the college when reality was looming in on me, I still didn’t know what I wanted to do/ I didn’t have a job/ and aside from some editing internships, I didn’t have a stellar experience record.
So I did what any other young adult not willing to give up their student title would do–I signed up for grad school!
It may not have been Harvard Law School, but yeah, Elle Woods…it IS hard!
Ultimately, I wanted to go to graduate school because I thought it was the best decision for me at the time. I thought it would help me settle professionally, and I was also able to keep writing as a way to support myself through school. That is also why I chose to become a teacher. You know, in addition to my love of helping children grow/molding them into upstanding individuals.
I will admit that I did feel slightly feel pressured into graduate school. I had heard the stories of English graduates from Harvard working at Starbucks (not that there’s anything wrong with Starbucks, except their exorbitant prices). I didn’t want to end up jobless or at a dead end job because of my English degree. Once again, instead of taking a more difficult route trying to make it as a writer, I chose the traditional and safe route of school. I pushed off doing what I love to do what I thought I should be doing. To do what was expected of me.
And guess what? I graduated and still didn’t want to be a full time teacher. I wanted to write. So after years of school, major changes, and countless hours questions myself, I am writing. I am working as a freelance writer, which I’m sure you already know from my previous blog post. A job that is hard, but something I–mostly–enjoy doing. But I’m also teaching virtually to children in China! So I guess those degrees came in handy.
Bottom line: Yes, ask what your children/teenagers/college students want to be when “they grow up.” Help them find their interests early on, and expose them to as many different professions, activities, hobbies that you can. More importantly, let them know that whatever they choose, you will provide your full support. Question and push them when necessary, but don’t shut down their dreams just because they don’t align with your own vision or with the future job outlook in the technology industry.
Push them to be the best person they can. A person who wants to be happy and live a fulfilled life when they grow up. One who wants to help people and make the world a more positive place to live in as their job. If these ideas are instilled in a child, then they will find a career/multiple careers/volunteer positions that align with their interests, while also helping them grow as a person. They won’t feel so pressured to follow what society deems as best. They will follow their passion.
Even after a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree hanging on my wall somewhere in a closet, I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. Right now, I just want to be happy.
Chasing Spain 