The pressure of picking a career often begins as a child, with adults asking children what they want to be when they grow up. And some people feel like they are still trying to figure out their career well into their adulthood.
In elementary school, I remember wanting to be an art teacher when I grew up. By the time I was in high school, I was trying to decide whether I should go to college for social work or photography. Trying to be practical, I chose social work, but after only one year, I knew I had to change paths and switch degrees. I have been a photographer ever since.
I think it's fun to see how children see themselves in the future and how their ideas change. I like to ask my kids what they want to be when they grow up, just to get a peek into their minds. Theories suggest that children go through a fantasy period in which their career choices are based solely on their interests and desires, with minimal attention paid to their abilities or the selectivity of the career.
Madalyn, who just turned 11, says she would like to be a artist, specifically, a painter.
Lydia, who just turned 5, says she would like to be a mermaid.
Henry, who is 3, says he would like to be a "race car head".
"You mean a race car driver?" I asked.
"No," he said, "a race car head. Like Tow Mater and Lightning McQueen."
"So you want to be a car with a face?"
"Yep, and I'll go really fast!"
So, what do you want to be when you grow up?
[Painting by my grandfather, Galen Lint]
