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What is your dream job? Remember in elementary school when someone asked what you wanted to be and nothing held you back? Lawyer, astronaut, president, doctor, princess, firefighter; anything seemed possible at that time in our lives.
All throughout middle school and the beginning of high school, I used to dream about being a pediatric oncologist. Then, I slowly but surely stopped believing in myself. I convinced myself that that was not possible. I told myself I wasn’t smart enough, didn’t have enough time or money for school, wasn’t good at school, etc.
So, what is you REAL dream job? Is it still your goal? If not, why?
What’s holding you back from reaching your dreams?
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I have a lot of dream jobs. The one that I know is impossible is being a lead vocalist in a rock band. It’s crazy I have nights were where I sit in my room and listen to music and when I do I imagine myself on stage with a band singing in front of people. It’s not really impossible because I can do it in a local band and just do it as a side job, but I can never make it big and do it for a living. I could stick with it and who knows I could make it big, but it is really hard and you have to either be very talented or stand out from other bands. Even though that’s my dream job. I try to find another passion of my which is being a social worker helping people in recovery. This is a dream job of mine that is easier to reach then being a famous singer. So I chose to stick with this one, because I am currently working for join rise be and I love working with people. So for now I’m going to stick with this and maybe sing on the side and who knows maybe I will find a band and make it big. It’s kind of out there but it could happen.
Hey Carl! I love that you acknowledge your more ‘wild’ dream job (mine is being an artist, but similar to being a lead vocalist, it’s incredibly difficult to “make it”) and your safer dream! I think both of those goals are awesome and I’m so glad that you have not let go of or pushed away your big dream. I think working towards being a social worker is totally awesome and very smart, and who knows, maybe you could also do music therapy on the side in addition to being in a local band!! Keep working towards your goals!!!
Hey Carl! I love that you acknowledge your more ‘wild’ dream job (mine is being an artist, but similar to being a lead vocalist, it’s incredibly difficult to “make it”) and your safer dream! I think both of those goals are awesome and I’m so glad that you have not let go of or pushed away your big dream. I think working towards being a social worker is totally awesome and very smart, and who knows, maybe you could also do music therapy on the side in addition to being in a local band!! Keep working towards your goals!!!
This is definitely a great question. My dream jobs have definitely changed over the years. At first, I wanted to be a vet, then an author, a teacher, and then for a while I didn’t know what I wanted to be. My dream job now is to be a therapist for kids who are forced to be child soldiers across seas or a middle school or high school guidance counselor. For now, I am in school for social services, which is definitely the first step to getting to work at those dream jobs.
Hey Luz! I think that being a social worker is an awesome goal- it sounds like you are on the track to reaching your dreams! I love that you acknowledged how dreams can change over time, which isn’t good or bad- it’s just the direction of life! And like you said too, sometimes we don’t know what our dreams are and thats ok!
My dream job has always been to be a nurse. My grandmother was a nurse ever since I can remember. I never finished school, unfortunately. I do know I can create the opportunity for me to go back and complete school but for some reason I struggle with confidence in that area. It’s been quite a few years since I’ve sat in a classroom. Many of my friends have chosen to go back to school, at all different ages and have been extremely successful so there is no reason I can’t.
Hey everyone! I love that you are all so open to sharing your dream jobs. Courtney- I know so many people who have decided to go back to school later in life when they are really ready to give it their all. You can be totally successful- all you have to do is believe in yourself. I know that’s easier said than done. But believing in yourself is the first step.
My dream job is (always has been, and always will be) to be a teacher. I have known I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was 4 years old. It’s my purpose and the reason I was put on this earth. In May, I’ll be a certified teacher with a Master’s degree. I am so excited to finally be achieving my dream after 20 years.
I love that all of the dream jobs we’ve listed here are related to helping people in some way!
I love that too Olivia! I think it says a lot that we all are so intent on having a job that gives something (aid, art, teaching, etc.) back to the world and our peers!
Courtney- I love that you want to be a nurse. I thought for a long time that nursing would be something I wanted to do. I know it can be so intimidating to go back to school after a period of time, but I would also love to see you reach your dreams! Sometimes when I find myself “afraid” to do something, I try to stop and ask myself- what exactly am I afraid of? Can I pinpoint specifics? And if I can- then I try to really look at that fear, and again, ask myself, is it scary enough to stop me from doing it? Sometimes the answer is yes, like when all of my friends were jumping off high rocks into a lake and even though I thought I wanted to do it I decided I was too scared! The reasons I was afraid were enough to make me decide, nope! Not today! haha. But, when I found myself resisting going back to school when I was pregnant, and even now that Willow is almost 1, I ask myself, am I afraid of failure, or it being too hard or overwhelming? Is it the social aspect? And then I try to evaluate my fears on these things- and usually, I come to the conclusion that, ok, maybe instead of taking 4 classes, I’ll take one or two, and that settles my fears with failure or stress. The social anxiety part- ok, so maybe I will be uncomfortable. Maybe REALLY uncomfortable. But then I realize, being uncomfortable won’t kill me! Even if the stress part of my brain thinks it might! My mom went back to school in her 40s, after doing not so well in high school, and dropping out of undergrad. She was told she was stupid her whole life and dealt with a learning disability that was thought of as low intelligence her whole childhood. But finally, when her time came, and her confidence got better, she went for it! She ended up graduating from NYU with a masters in social work! And all because she believed in herself! So, Courtney, I believe in you!!!
Olivia-
I love that you have had the same goal for so long and that its finally coming true! I cannot wait for Willow to be your student one day!!!
I love this!!
My dream job when I was kid was to be a nurse to follow the foot steps of my mom and grama. I may still go back to school when day and do that, but for the past 10-12 years I have wanted to work with foster children because of my personal experience. This dream job is going to be a career and I am sure of that!
If I could have an unrealistic job… it would be to be a pizza critic around the world!! 🙂
My dream job was to work for Disney as an animator or storyboard artist. I loved the creative stories and the imagination and love that went into every film. When I was in Middle school, I made little animations frame-by frame in the old paint program and windows movie maker – I had so much fun.
I definitely look forward to continuing to get back into art. Lately, other things have taken the time away from me, but I know it will always be there.
Hey Tory! I love that you have a maybe in future dream, a definite dream, and a crazy (but totally awesome) dream job!! If you ever become a pizza critic let me know and I’ll be your partner! lol
Also, I love that you want to work with foster kids. We need more people like you!
Michael- love it! Animation is so much fun and art is such a good way to get some headspace, express yourself, and have fun! I’m with you about not having time, and I hope we both get back into it soon!!