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Original poster

What career do you have VS what you wanted to do when younger

108 replies

Perfectlyblended · 15/08/2023 18:35

My DD was talking to me the other day about her future dreams ( she’s still primary school aged .

got me thinking about how different my path ended up compared to my childhood dreams.

what did you want to be ?
what did you end up being ?
If you could start again what would you choose now ?

I wanted to be a zoo keeper
ended up being a forensic pathologist

OP posts:
Simonjt · 15/08/2023 19:28

Princess Jasmine (because Aladdin is hot)
Rugby player
Accountant

I sadly discovered age 9 that Aladdin isn’t actually real, so my dreams were in tatters. When I was about 15 I really wanted to play rugby full time, and I was doing well and playing in front of quite a few scouts. I also wanted to be an accountant as I was good at maths and I thought in my teenage mind that any job with numbers or money was well paid.

I became a fulltime professional rugby league player for a few years, I didn’t become an accountant, but I did become an actuary, so I was able to continue with maths (I absolutely love numbers and data). I still play rugby, but at a lower level as the pay even as a fulltime pro is shit basically.

Aladdin is still hot.

fuchiaknickers · 15/08/2023 19:28

If I had my time again, I think I’d do stage makeup!

cakecoffeecakecoffee · 15/08/2023 19:28

I wanted to be a primary school teacher but I’m a social worker.

AttentionToDetal · 15/08/2023 19:37

I had wanted to be a professional musician since I was young. I even applied to unis to study music. Then freaked out and withdrew all applications and reapplied for business/law.

I'm now a lawyer, albeit work in music so ever so slightly related! (Imposter syndrome still followed me though).

Sidking · 15/08/2023 19:39

In order as best I can remember - firefighter, speedway rider, paramedic, a&e nurse, zoo keeper, herpetologist, vet nurse, vet surgeon who only did stitching up (I was really good at that on the fake skin 😂)

I now run a small business creating pet products and do photography part time

Sidking · 15/08/2023 19:40

Oh I was also in a band in high school so I was going to be a rockstar for a while aswell, then it was music promotor, then onto the animal stuff

nocoolnamesleft · 15/08/2023 19:41

At primary school I decided I wanted to be a consultant paediatrician, and apart from 2 weeks aged about 12 when I considered law I never wavered. Shame the job's killing me.

Chevrotains · 15/08/2023 19:49

I'm an analytical chemist. Always wanted to be a vet when I was a child, then that developed into a police officer...

MASSIVELY jealous of your job. Would be my absolute dream, but I knew I'd never make it through med school and being a doctor. Hence I settled for science.

Original poster
Perfectlyblended · 15/08/2023 19:50

@nocoolnamesleft before I decided on pathologist I was going to consider being a surgeon then I panicked and didn’t want the actual responsibility of someone’s life in my hands 🤣
so now I don’t have to worry too much about that !

OP posts:
Original poster
Perfectlyblended · 15/08/2023 19:51

@Chevrotains I always get mixed responses about my job some are like oh that’s super cool and others are just like why on earth would anyone do that 🤣

others question me on the realism of silent witness 😆

OP posts:
2chocolateoranges · 15/08/2023 19:52

Wanted to be a chef then decided on air hostess, then I thought about working with ASN children , but then ended up working in retail management, hospitality and now I’m working in early years.

love my progression and love my job.

BoobyDazzler · 15/08/2023 19:52

I’m a business analysts but I always wanted to be an archaeologist. In my wistful moments I still fantasise about becoming an arche but I’m mid 40’s now and I don’t think my back would take it 🤣

Shuggie1234 · 15/08/2023 19:59

Wanted to be a nurse from age 6 after being in hospital, but before that I wanted to be a ballerina.
I’ve been a nurse for almost 35 years although at one time I wanted to be a forensic pathologist like Quincy on the telly

CrawlingFromShitshowToAfterglow · 15/08/2023 20:00

In order of ambition:

GP's receptionist,
GP,
Paediatrician,
Brain surgeon,
Make-up artist,
A Parisienne perfumer,
Archeologist,
University lecturer,
Journalist,
Publisher,
Author.

I had very far-fetched dreams. I ended up as a career civil servant! Still fantasise about my sliding doors moment of what might have been had I been motivated/clever enough to try any of these paths!

Original poster
Perfectlyblended · 15/08/2023 20:01

@Shuggie1234 i have never watched Quincy but have watched the likes of body of proof / silent witness / Rizzoli and isles and can’t say my job is half as exciting as it’s portrayed !

OP posts:
LateSummerLobelia · 15/08/2023 20:03

I wanted to be a showjumper. Then i wanted to be a human rights lawyer.

I worked in human rights in poverty alleviation for years then retrained as a lawyer and ended up being a divorce lawyer.

I am hoping I am not a divorce lawyer at the end of my career. It's pretty horrid and I dislike my job hugely.

LateSummerLobelia · 15/08/2023 20:05

And currently I would like to be Queen.

I think I'd be good at it.

DS1 changed my netflix profile picture to one of Olivia Colman as the Queen.

It suits me.

Twattergy · 15/08/2023 20:08

A fashion designer.
Then what would now be called graphic designer but back in the day was 'lay out' person ie designing up the daily newspaper literally with cut out bits of text and images (well that's what it looked like to 10 year old me)!
Ended up as the Director of a non profit.
I would have had no concept of the work I do when I was young. Being a 'fundraiser' was not really a known career path then.

Peccary · 15/08/2023 20:13

As a teen, a journalist then an archaeologist or historian. I did actually do an archaeology degree but I am now a biological scientist. I used the degree to volunteer on some really interesting digs in far flung places during my 20s/30s so no regrets .

Apprenticenomore · 15/08/2023 20:14

Wanted to be a marine biologist….I’m a microbiologist. ☺️

PieonaBarm · 15/08/2023 20:15

Wanted to be an investigative journalist and via a foray into retail management I'm now a Detective with the Police.

MrsTulip · 15/08/2023 20:17

In primary school I wanted to be a hair dresser.In secondary school I didn't have a clue, but as I enjoyed my work experience in a school I went to college to get a childcare and education qualification. I have now worked as a SEND teaching assistant for 20 years and I enjoy it most days.
I'm also a Rainbow guide leader and children's lay minister which I absolutely love, but as they are unpaid roles I will have to carry on at school a bit longer.

Beesandhoney123 · 15/08/2023 20:19

archaeologist, but was told at 16 I was too young and had to be old. So find something else. ( by woman at archaeology society)

Then antique restorer, but was refused a place as was a girl and 16 yrs, and ' it will upset wives and gf if you work here', plus you'll just leave and get married so waste of time'

Accounting, but left in outrage as only men were allowed on training courses (!)

Really wanted to found a magazine -and be a journalist - did actually do that for a while, and dithering about seeing if it will work online.

I am in finance now, but for start ups. Plus I like to work for myself. There are no issues with equality for a start.

TheMoth · 15/08/2023 20:20

Anything but a teacher.

Heavily influenced in teen years by Cracker and This Life.

Had a sort of vague idea that I'd like to write or be on the telly- but not as an actress. Think I was thinking more gobby female ch4 type.

Became a teacher.

TheMoth · 15/08/2023 20:21

Didn't want a boring 9-5 job. Now I often fantasise about a boring 9-5 job and all the things I could do in the evenings.

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