When I Grow Up

When I was young/little/pre real life I wanted to be:

1. A zoologist
2. A veternarian
3. A brain surgeon
4. A physical Therapist
5. A chef

I never wanted to be a teacher. My sister had always wanted to be a teacher. She played school and made us worksheets constantly as we were kids. And yes, she did become a teacher.

I remember when trying to make a career choice my Senior year of high school. My mom told me I should be a teacher. I totally refused! I did NOT want to be like my sister who was 6 years older than me.

I had learned through my public school education that I wasn't smart enough to become a zoologist, veternarian, brain surgeon or physical therapist. I knew since I had a hard time with high school science I wouldn't have survived college science. So, I decided to become a chef!

I really wanted to go to the Colorado Institute of Art, but it was very expensive. My parents pretty much told all of us children that the only option for us was a college in Nebraska and that we would take out student loans for ourselves to go to school. So, I attended SCC and hated it. I wanted to be a chef, not a cook.

Anyway...eventually, I decided that what I did best was teach. I had been doing it forever through church, G.S., etc. So, I became a teacher.

Sometimes I wonder what we really learn from school/our parents. I learned I wasn't smart enough to be what I wanted to be, so I went with what I was already good at.

I don't regret it. I love teaching, but sometimes I wish I could have been a brain surgeon.

What did you want to be when you grew up and why aren't you?