What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

Updated on September 01, 2011
J.G. asks from Minneapolis, MN
16 answers

I currently work part time as an office assistant (which I have always been) and now that my children are starting school I am starting to think about what I really want to do with my life. I went to school for Psychology, but after working in a mental health clinic for a few years I realized I DO NOT want to work in social services. I really have no clue what I want to do! Anyone else feel so confused about what career they want to pursue when their kids get older?

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V.M.

answers from Cleveland on

i really really think i would enjoy being a librarian. Might be because my grandma thought i read to much as a kid and suggested it.

Hallmark might be a nice place to work too. It's generally quiet and smells nice in there.

J.S.

answers from Jacksonville on

An author, I've already written the book, just need someone to represent me now. Working on that part....

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J.F.

answers from Bloomington on

I kind of know what you are talking about. I've taught elementary, then ran a tutoring business, and have recently (for the past 4 years) tutored privately, part-time so I could be home with my girls 99% of the time. When the girls go back to school, I only want to work 3/4 time so I can still be there for them as much as possible. Because of that and the fact that I don't want to go back to the classroom, I will have to re-invent myself again.

That is the answer, I've found. Don't peg hole yourself into a specific category. Go through the job ads and really "wear" the idea of doing that job and see how you feel about it. Your skills are great for SO many different job titles and don't be afraid to re-invent yourself. :)

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J.R.

answers from Davenport on

I never really had a "dream job" or even a job in mind when I went through High School and collegel. Staying home and being a mom comes pretty close to a dream job, but unfortunately I don't get paid to do that ( and so can't fund a retirement)...and I don't want to be a nanny or daycare person, because taking care of ther's kids is not the same, to me.

I know more of what I don't want to do than what I DO....don't want to be a teacher, daycare provider, restaurant worker, or in any health care situation.

I did work at a library for the last 3 years, off and on between maternity leaves, and loved it, but unfortunately, that particular library is off the lis now because of the boss and I having a difference of opinion - I just keep hoping she will leave, then I cna take her job....if only she waits to leave till my son is in School full time...

Other than that, I think making my crafts and selling them is a joob money making opportunity, btu I need the time to sit still and make them, rather than chasing the kids and cooking/cleaning all day.

R.B.

answers from La Crosse on

I wanted to be a special education teacher. Now I don't think I have the patients sadly. Lately I have been wanting to go into grief counseling. Just not sure how to afford it or get to there... but I do know that bar tending and cooking isn't going to get me far. But for now its what works for our family.

E.B.

answers from Seattle on

I wanted to be a midwife.

This changing.

I no longer have the heart I once did for midwifery..love them and what they do...But i think there is something else out there for me.

I am going back to school The winter and aiming for Political Science and Agriculture.

My mom and dad are a little worried about the new change to my path...I keep telling them to have faith.

I want to move down to northern cali and potential ''BUY THE FARM'' literally speaking....MY husband is amazingly up for the switch and thinks it is a positive thing for us:)

T.C.

answers from Austin on

I still have no idea. There's my favorite hobbies(anything arts and crafts), my work experience(telemarketing), and my education(engineering). I can't figure out what it would add up to. Those personality tests that were supposed to help you figure out what you'd be good at never helped me either.
My mother set a bad example for me. She went to college, but didn't work or have a career plan. When I was in elementary school she went back to graduate school to study epidemiology(disease outbreaks), but still never figured out what she wanted to do. She never had another job after that, although she creates digital art as a hobby. She's at retirement age and can't work even if she wanted to due to health issues.

S.M.

answers from Kansas City on

I've always been fascinated by the law. But I don't have any unrealistic expectations that at my age I could make it to law school. It's just too much time and money and I have no idea how I could.

I don't even know how to fit in school financially yet. But I have some ideas. I am planning on getting a BS in Legal Studies. I want to maintain my ability to work from home. I would like to do legal research and writing from home in a freelance way. That way I can work so long as my mind, sight, and fingers still work. I consider it my retirement plan since there's no way for me to put money away on what I earn as a daycare provider.

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L.S.

answers from Spokane on

I've always wanted to be a novelist. But now after having kids I might be more atuned to children's books. My husband is "giving" me a year after all the kids are in school full time to write.

Realistically though, I'm looking into insurance.

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

I am actually not sure I ever want to grow up but my career was easy. :)

T.L.

answers from St. Louis on

Mmm a good cook, loving wife, a fun mommy and a good role model for my kiddos.

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S.S.

answers from Omaha on

LOL I had this conversation with my 10 year old the other night. I don't know what I want to be when I grow up, he said- MOM you are 43! I would love to do something in which I spend my time volunteering. And recently I have gotten into fitness, so, I am starting to think , to utilize my leadership skills, and to help people, I am thinking of leading yoga or kick boxing classes- not sure yet. And I have a criminal Justice degree- I wont' go back into social services either, by the way

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A.C.

answers from Washington DC on

grow up? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I'm not gonna.

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N.P.

answers from Mobile on

I really don't know what I want to be. I started nursing before I had my baby but since I had him, my stomach can NOT handle all the yucky stuff & blood. I do not want to work that deep in the medical field but would love to still be in medical if possible.

A.W.

answers from Kalamazoo on

Work with animals......lion tamer, falcon trainer, sea lion performer.

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M.K.

answers from Milwaukee on

I feel the same way! I was a Research Associate before I left to have my kids and love science but really don't want to go back to that after my kids are in school. I thought about teaching sciences since I have real world experience. But not sure if I would like teaching. Thought about Politics but don't know if I could handle all the negativity. I hate to get another degree that I don't want to use, so I have put a lot of thought into it and still don't know. I look at college courses to see if there is a program that jumps out at me and so far nothing. I will keep looking but might just have to do a job that supports living and no so much a dream job. I know there are downsides to all careers but if you LOVE the career you can handle those downsides and just haven't found that yet.
Good luck,
M.

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