“If you could do anything, what would your dream job be?”
I was given this question as an icebreaker at a club meeting. While taking the moment to think about my response, I realized there were so many things I wanted to be, but gave up on. I rarely think of what I truly want to be, being someone who has settled on a more ‘realistic’ dream, something acceptable for society to hear, and something that will support me financially in the future.
As kids, we often think of what we want to do as a verb, like dreaming of flying or going to space. Using a verb to describe what we want to do never limits us to expectations. However, as we grow up, we are often taught to look for an official title or job, shutting down perfectly reasonable dreams.
I often miss when I had real dreams that sparked my curiosity for the world. Every day I put my dreams aside, trying to convince myself I am going the right way. I confine them to jobs, forgetting that I can use verbs to describe them.
After hearing the question, I could not get it off of my mind. I realized there are so many things I want to be, and turning my hobbies and talents into something I can do every day sparked a thrill in me. I returned to thinking like a kid, using verbs to describe my dreams rather than jobs. I thought of making music or drawing all day, maybe even giving a speech at the Oscars or writing a book.
Six-in-ten people did not achieve their childhood dream jobs, according to a 2020 survey commissioned by Zety, an online resume builder. Further, the article shows 82 percent of people who did not fulfill their childhood dream are not pursuing their passion even as adults, though many wish they had pursued their dream job.
Take this as a sign to pursue your passions in the future.
While many wish to have pursue their dream job, it is not ideal for everyone. About 43 percent of workers are looking to switch career fields, according to a March 3 survey conducted by Flexjobs, a subscription-based job board. Picking up old hobbies or dreams and following them is a step closer to fulfilling childhood dreams, even if it is not actively a full-time job.
Looking around my room, my old dreams still linger with objects I’ve collected over the years. I look at my record player and vinyls, used paintbrushes, stacks of sketchbooks, colored pencils, books, sports gear—all reminders of dreams that were forgotten behind essays, textbooks, and projects.
Reflecting on the question, I realized that it is not too late for me to start working towards my childhood dream. Not everyone may want to change their career path, but I still think it is important to think of dreams from time to time. It is not too late to change my job goal for the future, if it means that I can fulfill my dreams.
Even if things end up not working out, I want to keep the opportunities to fulfill my dreams. Constant opportunities remind me to work towards my passion, whether that be listening to music on the ride back home or drawing handmade birthday cards for my friends. Maybe this small reminder can motivate both our inner childhood and current self to pursue passions, in the workforce or as an interest.
