What I Want To Be When I Grow Up | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

What I Want To Be When I Grow Up

Out of millions of jobs in the world, which one will I choose?

7
What I Want To Be When I Grow Up
Wonderopolis

It’s the same question every time. “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

I think it’s safe to say that I really don’t know.

When I was four years old I wanted to be a veterinarian, not because I wanted to help animals and liked the science of it, but because I just really liked animals. A year or two later I realized that I really did not like science, nor did I want to do anything medical, meaning that there was no way I should be a veterinarian. For a few years after that, I had no idea what kind of job I wanted to pursue.

In middle school I wanted to be a teacher. There were teachers whom I looked up to and I wanted to make school just a bit more enjoyable, just as they did. And then there was a point within those same couple of years where I wanted to be a librarian. Even now I think I’d like to be a librarian, not only because I like to read books, but also because I like the order and organization of libraries.

Throughout high school I played around with the idea of being a teacher or a librarian and figured either one might be fine. Then came senior year and I had to figure out what college to go to and what I wanted to major in. Eventually, I decided on majoring in music because I knew that I was good at it – the performing part at least – and that it was something that I highly enjoyed. And let’s not forget that I’ve been involved in music since I was little, in one way or another.

And so now I’m majoring in music. What am I supposed to do with a music degree?

Late last year I decided that I wanted to major in music education, all because of a paper I wrote about music education for a class. When I finished that paper, it was then that I realized how much of an impact that music had had on my life, and I wanted to share my love of music with others, be it elementary students, middle schoolers, or high schoolers.

And now the questions are, “Do you know what grade-level you want to teach? Do you want to teach band or choir? What are you going to do after you graduate? Are you going to stay in Louisiana or are you going to go back to Texas?”

I think it’s pretty safe to say that I don’t have answers to any of those questions at the moment.

I’m not even sure if music education is really what I want to go into.

Recently I came across a short article titled 8 Reasons to Stop Asking: "What do you want to be when you grow up?". Of course, I was intrigued as to what the reasons might be, and I have to say that I believe that they are some pretty good points. One of the reasons I would like to point out is as to why everyone should stop asking that question is that it makes a person feel as if they need "to decide as soon as possible.” This could be the reason why I have never truly known what I want to be when I grow up; it’s because I feel that I need to absolutely know right this very moment what it is I want to do supposedly for the rest of my life.

My career strategies professor pointed out to my class last week that my generation will have multiple jobs throughout our lifetimes, and I feel that we’ve all known this growing up as the world changes and new technologies are created. Even though I’m interested in music education, if it’s what I go into once I graduate, who knows how long I’ll stay in that profession? Maybe I’ll decide I would prefer to be a librarian like I once thought about being.

Surely, I’m not the only one who thinks this, but I don’t want to be tied down by having to choose a profession right at this moment. Of course, I really should since I’m an adult now, but there doesn’t really seem to be anything to captivate and interest me enough to stick with it. Anything I’m doing in my free time at the moment, such as knitting, composing, or writing, could surely become a job in the future if I play my cards right, but they’re purely just hobbies for now.

What do I want to be when I grow up? I have no idea, but does anyone really know?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

197222
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

19068
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

461039
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28396
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments