# What did you want to be when you grew up? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 8, 2004, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-want-to-be-when-you-grew-up/278706 "2004-12-08T05:57:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Emony\_Dax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Emony\_Dax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emony_Dax)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-want-to-be-when-you-grew-up/278706/41 "2004-12-08T20:14:43Z")
I wanted to be a doctor all through my teen years and well into college. Then I flunked organic chem. Twice. ☹ So I became an English major instead and somehow ended up in student advising. Someday, though, I’m going to write the Great American Novel, I swear… ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-want-to-be-when-you-grew-up/278706/42 "2004-12-08T21:22:32Z")
_Then:_ I wanted to write world-famous videogames. _Now:_ I want to write world-famous novels. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-want-to-be-when-you-grew-up/278706/43 "2004-12-08T21:33:46Z")
A science fiction writer. I remember seeing the first Nebula Anthology and thinking, “I want to be able to join SFWA.” And I have. ---
**Author:** ![Rodd\_Hill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3ab097/32.png) [@Rodd\_Hill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodd_Hill)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-want-to-be-when-you-grew-up/278706/44 "2004-12-08T21:37:14Z")
In roughly consecutive order: Astronaut (born 1961, so grew up with the Apollo Program). Paelentologist. Marine Biologist. Oddy enough, I found something in a drawer recently that brought back my childhood instantly: in 1969, I had put together a “museum” in my parent’s TV room one weekend (and was mercenary enough to charge my friends a nickel each admission). In a little blue jewellery box, were two arrowheads (OK, “points”). On the inside of the lid, in my childish scrawl were the words “DO NOT TOUCH!!” I am now a museum curator. I had completely forgotten about my little Smithsonian, until I found that blue box… **Aesiron** : “a professional wrestler or USAF officer…” Why not both? “Colonel Crippler,” or maybe “Major Mayhem?” **Eve** , don’t “Bachelorette Pads” come in boxes of 24? ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-want-to-be-when-you-grew-up/278706/45 "2004-12-08T21:40:25Z")
> [@tremorviolet](#): > > So in high school, I had vague ideas of being one of those hip career girls I read about in Mademoiselle who live in Manahttan and have fabulous affairs with French men. I had a mediocre affair with a Swiss man, does that count? [**Rodd Hill** , _eww!_] ---
**Author:** ![kittenlm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ce7236/32.png) [@kittenlm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenlm)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-want-to-be-when-you-grew-up/278706/46 "2004-12-08T21:44:12Z")
When I was really young I wanted to be a famous gymnast. Then I grew up a little and decided being a teacher was much more interesting and plausible. Then I grew up some more and realized that I don’t like to teach, I like to listen. So, I changed my goal to child psychologist. Then I grew up even more and realized how much I hated going to school (even though I was an honor student) and to become a teacher or psychologist, I would be in school forever. So, I’m a Real Estate Agent. And I love it! Only went to school for a few months, I don’t sit behind a desk all day, I don’t deal with the same people everyday, and I have no one breathing over my shoulder telling me what to do. It’s the best job ever! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gotterfunken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/58956e/32.png) [@Gotterfunken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gotterfunken)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-want-to-be-when-you-grew-up/278706/47 "2004-12-08T21:51:38Z")
When I was very young, I wanted to be a police officer. I liked CHiPs, and wanted to be Erik Estrada. I once discussed this with a playmate of mine, who told me he wouldn’t want to be a cop because he might get shot. And I realized he had a good point. So, I changed my career aspirations to palaeontologist. I was going to dig up dinosaur bones (OK, fossils)! But then I noticed how a lot of dinosaur bones are in deserts, and that they require working outdoors digging and stuff. And I thought to myself, I don’t like going out in the hot weather much–I’d rather have an indoors job. So, I decided I would go with my other childhood passion–astronomy! I wanted to look through telescopes and discover new solar systems. I was actually pretty serious about this idea up until my first year of high school. And then I encountered algebra. My bad experience with algebra dashed any dreams I had of going into a science field, ever. With that disillusionment went my last childish dream about my future career. I moved into the humanities (specifically, art history) and have stayed there ever since. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-want-to-be-when-you-grew-up/278706/48 "2004-12-08T22:56:06Z")
> [@Rodd Hill](#): > > **Aesiron** : “a professional wrestler or USAF officer…” Why not both? “Colonel Crippler,” or maybe “Major Mayhem?” Neither holds much, if any, appeal to me any longer. If I somehow revert to being 12 again, I’ll be sure to remember the suggestion though. ---
**Author:** ![Chastain86](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Chastain86](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chastain86)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-want-to-be-when-you-grew-up/278706/49 "2004-12-08T23:02:24Z")
I’ve always wanted to write comic books. I’m getting closer to this ideal every day, so wish me luck. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-want-to-be-when-you-grew-up/278706/50 "2004-12-08T23:11:00Z")
archaeologist, ninja, professional athlete. ---
**Author:** ![EmeraldGrue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dc4da7/32.png) [@EmeraldGrue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmeraldGrue)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-want-to-be-when-you-grew-up/278706/51 "2004-12-09T00:17:31Z")
Palaeontologist, then writer. But I’ve settled for sighing over the little models of Burgess Shale fauna at the museum, and doing NaNoWriMo. [grade five humour]Hee hee hee. Priapulida…[/gfh] ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-want-to-be-when-you-grew-up/278706/52 "2004-12-09T00:19:23Z")
In kindergarten I wanted to be Bank Teller. In 2nd or 3rd grade I wanted to be an Astronomist. In 7th or 8th grade, I wanted to be a Rockette. In High School, I couldn’t decide, though I tossed around Journalist, Nurse, and Teacher. ---
**Author:** ![SolGrundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-want-to-be-when-you-grew-up/278706/53 "2004-12-09T00:34:59Z")
Starting from when I was about 5 years old: Author Fireman Generic “scientist” Han Solo (not a spaceship captain; I wanted to be Han Solo) Astronaut Author Director Animator & director of animated movies Graphic Artist Video Journalist Videogame Designer Author ---
**Author:** ![Keapon\_Laffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e274bd/32.png) [@Keapon\_Laffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keapon_Laffin)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-want-to-be-when-you-grew-up/278706/54 "2004-12-09T00:46:58Z")
Every guy has probably wanted to be a gynaecologist. Until we realized that not every girl is a super model. Acck… I never quite knew what I wanted to be. I always assumed that there was some cubicle waiting for me at the end of my youth. And I was right. But I suppose I’ve always wanted to be someone famous. Actor most likely. ---
**Author:** ![Kepi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kepi/32/7251_2.png) [@Kepi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kepi)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-want-to-be-when-you-grew-up/278706/55 "2004-12-09T01:11:39Z")
I wanted to be an **architect**. I would pull the real estate section out of the Sunday paper and spend hours looking at the floor plans in the ads for new homes. I would design and draw house plans all the time. I kept this aspiration until freshman orientation for college. When I realized how many math classes would be required for an architecture degree, I was intimidated and abandoned that pursuit. I am so not a “math person”. For a brief time in high school, I flirted with the idea of being a **meteorologist**. But I am so not a “science person” either. (Meteorology is the only science area I am even remotely interested in.) I always thought it would be fun to be a **park ranger** at one of the national parks. ---
**Author:** ![aeropl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f05b48/32.png) [@aeropl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aeropl)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-want-to-be-when-you-grew-up/278706/56 "2004-12-09T03:28:40Z")
When I was a kid it was an astronaut, probably because we lived close enough to see the space shuttle launches from our yard and it was a major household event. After I went to space camp I realized that there’s only a few dozen astronauts in a lifetime and maybe I should rethink… Then in college I wanted to go to medical school to be a plastic surgeon more than anything. That didn’t work out because when I job shadowed a surgeon my body would involuntarily blackout and almost faint during any surgery (that damn smell of burnt flesh from the cauterizer). It also didn’t help that like **Emony Dax** , chemistry and organic chem. did me in. I like to think that the Straight Dope is at least partially to blame for that (hey, at least I was learning about _other_ neat stuff). Now I’m on track to go to law school so we’ll see how that works out. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-want-to-be-when-you-grew-up/278706/57 "2004-12-09T16:37:15Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > I had a mediocre affair with a Swiss man, does that count? Totally. I’ve never even had an affair with a _Canadian_… ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-want-to-be-when-you-grew-up/278706/58 "2004-12-09T16:39:41Z")
Your loss. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![velveeta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/13edae/32.png) [@velveeta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velveeta)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-want-to-be-when-you-grew-up/278706/59 "2004-12-09T17:01:42Z")
A veterinarian. I got as far as college with that one, but I partied a bit too enthusiastically my freshman year and screwed up my GPA. Oh well. Now I want to be independently wealthy, but in the meantime I play with computers all day. I love it most of the time, but the job I have now pretty much bites. I’m thankful to have it, but I don’t have to like it. ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-want-to-be-when-you-grew-up/278706/60 "2004-12-09T20:45:08Z")
Ballerina, artist, model, veterinarian, teacher. Instead, I work with my mother-in-law and six other people who all have full authority to tell me what to do at any given moment. I hope to go back to college one of these days, although I don’t really know what for. I am also a Mary Kay consultant, and I know I could be doing a whole lot more with it, if only I were organized, disciplined, and focused. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-want-to-be-when-you-grew-up/278706.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-you-want-to-be-when-you-grew-up/278706.md?page=4)