What Did You Want to Be When You Grew Up?

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Now that you’re grown up, did it happen?

I guess it’s good that it didn’t. After all, if everyone became what they wanted, just think about how many firefighters, police, and sports stars we’d have today!

The problem with that question is that when we were growing up, we had no idea about the possibilities. Just think about all the jobs you know about today that never even crossed your mind before you entered the working world. Whoever said “When I grow up I want to be a charitable gift fundraiser!”?

Now that you know what your job is all about, what would you tell someone who is considering it? What personality traits would you say are needed for success? What would you say was your favorite and least favorite parts of the job? How would you tell someone to prepare for our work?

The career move? Knowing “the good, the bad, and the ugly” of your career path can go a long way in helping the next generation. It can attract the right people to the work. It can help those who shouldn’t do the work, avoid it. And most importantly, it will let you know whether this is the destination, or another step in the path to what you want to be when you grow up.