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

[MasonC2K]

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.

[gsarchie]

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.

[RoseyReps]

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

[Vasiliki]

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.

[Andybill]

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! 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.

[reptileexperts]

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!

[eatgoodfood]

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.

[foxoftherose]

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.

[Vesper]

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. -.-

[Mike41793]

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