When I Grow Up...And If I Could Change One Thing

For those of you that are "grown up" like me, when you were a kid, what did you wanna be when you grew up? And subsequently, what did you end up growing up to be?

I wanted to be many things but mostly I wanted to a vet or work at a zoo. And for a while I wanted to be a lead guitar player in a rock/metal band.

In the end, I have ended up as a software developer. But I guess you could say I work at my own private zoo in my house. I just don't make any money off of it. :)

And now that you are older and "know better" what would you have done differently in your youth?

I would have been more confident in myself and outgoing. I was so ridiculously shy and introverted. I still am an introvert but I at least know how to be social now. I am certainly not shy anymore. Of course, I'd probably have actually gotten into a fight or two since I actually know how to now.

Wanted to be in the Army like my dad.

Enlisted first and then became a Field Artillery Officer, just like my Dad.

While there are some things in my life that could be better I would never go back and change a thing, as in the end the changes could make things worse than they are at the moment. As the saying goes, I'd hate to jump out of the frying pan only to end up in the fire.

I wanted to be a paleontologist when I was under 10, then herp vet from 10-20, and now (27) more realistically I'd like to get a degree in zoology / herpetology and go from there.
Where am at right now I wouldn't trade for all the degrees in the world, stay at home mom. Not everyone gets to do that and I treasure every day. When the youngest starts school in 2 years is when I will start my college trek, finances allowing.
There are some things I would change IF it was guaranteed to not affect where I'm at today. If I could not marry my ex, and still have the same child, but with my current husband, I would. If I could go back and tell myself to not drop out of high school, or get in with a err..less than great crowd / habits..I would. But again, only if it would not affect in any way where I am today. But since it would, I'd not change a thing ;)

One thing that possibly wouldn't affect where I am...SAVE MORE MONEY! Gosh I blew through so much money from 16-19... oye...kick myself in the arse every time I think about that. lol :oops:

Professional equestrian for the Canadian Olympic Team in Show Jumping or Cross Country trials.

Unfortunately, the need for a fantastic start, great word of mouth, sponsors and an amazing coach and horse were just too much for a 12 year old to tackle. I was realistic, and it was sad to realize. I was good, and felt like I could really go the distance. But at the end of the day, if you're lacking in a coach whose been there and done that, climbing your way up to that level is harder than you can imagine. Lots of competition.

Plus, you need to have the right partner. Finding a horse that could go the distance with me was an equally difficult challenge, so soon that dream fissled out.

Now I've been and done a bit of everything. Right now I work for a pipeline supply company, and the pay is pretty good. As well as decent job security. So I'm feeling alright.

I always wanted to be in the military. I remember playing with my little soldiers and thinking I want to be that when I was 4. I made up my mind in 7th grade that I wanted to be a marine and 6 years later I was in recruit training at MCRD San Diego. I ended up getting out about a year ago because I wanted to focus on my family and see what the rest of the world had to offer. Haha! It was easier being in! :D While I sometimes wish I would have stayed in, I enjoyed my time in the Corps and am moving on with my life. I still dont really know what I want to be when I grow up but am pursuing a position with State Patrol. Its a long process.

I'm still young, so it's still a major work in progress - always wanted to work at a zoo, got the interview, had the in, but quickly found out that life on my own at 20 with an associates degree working at a zoo would not be easy since the pay was so poor (11.75 p/hr). So stuck with school, spent another 3 years working toward becoming a better "expert" in my field. Published some papers, got a name in a few fields (mainly ornithology thanks to my love for birdwatching). Then 2 weeks out of college got the interview for the job of a lifetime . . . media biologist . . . the job description was to be an animal behavior expert working hands on with the Venomous Snake collection, python shows, penguin shows, and parrots while getting paid to travel around the state representing the company on the news, radio, and malls. . . Made it to the final two candidates . . . and the company pulled the position . . . dreams crushed. . . The girl I was dating at the time had an easy going job working at a plant, sounded like a sweet gig since the money was good. 2 months later, I got a job offer for the same company, and the week after another plant 4 miles from my home offered me even more money for the same type of position . . . 18 months later, still here doing the daily grind. Do I reget it? Nope, I make enough money to purse my interest, take me all over the world, and live a content and comfortable life. Do I hate my work? Nah, it's a great gig. Not what I wanted to do with my life, but definitely what I need right now getting my life going. I still plan to put my degrees to use, B.S. Biology, Chemistry, A.S. Natural Sciences, Geology., but for now I'm happy with my time away from work spent traveling, raising snakes, and teaching classes!

I wanted to be many things when I was a child, from a soldier, to a pilot, and as I grew more, a mechanic, a wealthy businessman, lol... I'm 27 and I still dont know what I want to be when I grown up. Im currently in the Army, but looking forward to getting out. If there was one thing I could have changed, and am still working on changing is saving. I mad a lot of money when I was younger, I was making more money than most post college entry level positions and probably the same as some middle management at the age of 18 without any college. Had I saved that, and a good majority of money ive earned in other jobs since then, and the military, I would be in a much better positon, and as Im looking at getting out of the Army, and facing the real world again, in a foreign country at that, its amazing, yet extremely scary.

Ever since I was five or so, I wanted to be a herpetologist. I guess I was fifteen or so when I realized that wasn't terribly realistic for me with my health, and I realized about a year ago that I could be an accountant, and make a fair amount of money doing something that is enjoyable and relaxing to me, and still pursue my passions for wildlife on the side.

Gosh...I'm still kinda in the stage of "Idk what the heck I want to try for." sometimes. XD
When I was a kid, I wanted to be many things. A writer, a photographer, something/anything to do with art, firefighter, cop, go into the army, marine biologist, any sort of biologist, a rancher, a vet...the list really goes on.

I started going to school for biology after high school, but I flopped around on being able to afford everything, and when everything got even more expensive the next year I dropped out. I started work at a dealership and that kindled my love for cars again. Mechanic wasn't something on my list, simply because...my mother really looked down on it. It wasn't for a lady...or something like that. v.v It still isn't. Whenever she asks me what I'm going to be doing and I keep telling her I'll be a mechanic (more specifically, I'd actually like to get into restoration and body repair, but anything will do it for me) she gets all quiet and says "oh." It's really...upsetting that she seriously doesn't support it at all. v.v Constantly trying to talk me out of it.

At any rate...I've currently been a security guard for the last four years. I had a moment when I started security at a casino, that I'd just go ahead and go into Law enforcement. I started that, and then before I could finish it I stopped because I realized I just wouldn't be as happy if I stayed with autos. Sooo...at the moment, I've got to stay with security, so we can get the loan on a house next year. Afterwards, I'll be busting my butt to find a job probably starting as a maintenance mechanic just to get my foot in the door, as well as look into a tech school. I've taught myself some stuff, and I'm actually really good at diagnosing friend's vehicles. XD They're always really amazed when they have me figure out whats wrong and then they go to the shop and get told the same thing. Actually amazes me too, because I know a lot less about cars then I can pull off. It's just second nature to me though, like it was just seriously meant to be.

If I could change anything...I would have stayed with the dealership I first started work with and just stayed in the West, instead of moving to the South for a couple of years (I'm back in the West now, and trying to make my way to the West coast). It was just a huge waste of my time. But I did it for family, and I guess I learned a bit during it. Like...how I don't have any family past my parents. -.-

If i could go back and change one thing i would make myself be born into a rich family...

When I was younger, I watched Wild Discovery on the Discovery Channel ALL the damn time. This spawned my dream of becoming a zoologist to study animals in their natural habitats. I wanted to go to the African savanna and observe a pride of lions... haha!

Reality Check. I played too many video games. It started with watching my brother and dad play Final Fantasy IV on SNES (FFII in Japan). At this point, my destiny to be a video gamer was sealed. Played lots and lots of games. This inspired my desire to be involved with computers in some way/shape/form when I grew up. College rolled around and I initially majored in computer engineering. Then I thought ... "Oh no there's a lot of math involved with engineering. Let me change majors to computer science instead!" Of course, I failed to realize that there is still a LOT of math in computer science. A year into college, I decided to dual major in both Computer Science and Finance. Did a few internships at a software company then an investment bank. Now at age 22, I have just graduated and am currently working as an application developer at a large bank.

If I could change one thing ... I would have dropped out in my sophomore year of college and gone to culinary school. LOL!!! Sounds a bit random right? Don't get me wrong, pretty happy where I'm at now. But I am curious to see what life would have been like if I had made that decision.

I never would have guessed you were 22 Orenshi, hahaha

Well lets see, as far back as I can remember I wanted to be an archaeologist. Then I never really pursued it. Through my teens I wanted to be a famous rock star. Over the past few years I've started to think about what I truly want to do with my life, and I think I want to become a vet.
If I could change anything I wouldn't of dropped out of college for the gf and my band. The band lasted 6 months maybe a little more, but definitely don't regret having my son. And I would not trade him for anything in the world.

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

I never would have guessed you were 22 Orenshi, hahaha

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Why? Do I look older? :O

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Originally Posted by Orenshi

Why? Do I look older? :O

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Nooo, much younger haha. I thought you were younger than me. :gj:

If I could go back in time and tell my younger self to do something it would be to put down the damn sandwich and go out side and play.


Siiigh. If only.....

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Originally Posted by reptiliachnids

If I could go back in time and tell my younger self to do something it would be to put down the damn sandwich and go out side and play.


Siiigh. If only.....

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Never too late! And you're really young still!

How old are you, Chris? And you're 19, right Mike?

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Originally Posted by gsarchie

How old are you, Chris? And you're 19, right Mike?

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25

I wish I hadnt messed up the last semester I went to school. Because now i may never get to go back :(

I wish i woulda listenened to my mom when she said to watch how i eat and to exersize more :(

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Originally Posted by gsarchie

How old are you, Chris? And you're 19, right Mike?

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Yea 19. Not 20 for a lil bit. :gj:

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

Yea 19. Not 20 for a lil bit. :gj:

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I think you and I would have gotten a long if we were the same age and lived in the same place.

But I'd feel more like I should be you're teacher or mentor or something. Good Lord I am old enough to be your Dad now if I were a promiscuous teen.

I hate age realizations...

No I refuse! I am 25 dang it! That's right I am 10 years younger than I am. Hahaha!

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Originally Posted by MasonC2K

I think you and I would have gotten a long if we were the same age and lived in the same place.

But I'd feel more like I should be you're teacher or mentor or something. Good Lord I am old enough to be your Dad now if I were a promiscuous teen.

I hate age realizations...

No I refuse! I am 25 dang it! That's right I am 10 years younger than I am. Hahaha!

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What makes you feel i need mentoring haha?

I wanted to be an Engineer when i was little.. the type that drove steam engines if possible... I wore overalls for two years in elementary because I wanted to look like one.

Now when I grow up I want to own a small hobby farm.. I have been saving up for some time now.


If I could change one thing.. I would probly have drank and chased boys less.. and studied more.... Well maybe.

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I wanted to be an Engineer when i was little.. the type that drove steam engines if possible... I wore overalls for two years in elementary because I wanted to look like one.

Now when I grow up I want to own a small hobby farm.. I have been saving up for some time now.


If I could change one thing.. I would probly have drank and chased boys less.. and studied more.... Well maybe.

I wanted to be an architect at age 7. I now have my bachelor of architecture and I am working in a small firm in Chicago. I turn 23 next week.


I'd say I'm doing pretty well, but I still have goals. Ultimately, I would really love to work with animals full time and use my design skills for them. Make logos and websites, build furniture and racks. I really find a lot of happiness taking care of my animals and making things for them.

I do love architecture, but I don't want it to be the only thing I focus my efforts on. I'd also really love to do some travelling before I "settle down".

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Originally Posted by sissysnakes

I wanted to be an Engineer when i was little.. the type that drove steam engines if possible... I wore overalls for two years in elementary because I wanted to look like one.

Now when I grow up I want to own a small hobby farm.. I have been saving up for some time now.


If I could change one thing.. I would probly have drank and chased boys less.. and studied more.... Well maybe.

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Ya know, if it weren't for your name and the bolded statement, I would have thought post that came from a guy. :D

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Originally Posted by MasonC2K

Ya know, if it weren't for your name and the bolded statement, I would have thought post that came from a guy. :D

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Haha i have always been a bit of a tom boy

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