Dream job: now and then
Isn't it interesting how we change the perspective of the ideal job throughout our lives? Studies show that only 30% of people end up working in the careers they dreamed of as kids.
When we were little, the question “What do you want to become when you grow up?” was always popping up. The response to that was most likely princess, superhero or “the same as my dad/ my mom”. While we grow up, the answer to the same question constantly changes, more often in the beginning and then the number of options gradually decreases. So what’s with this variation? Can we somehow avoid it? Or should we just embrace it?
By Alexandra Achim & Henriikka Toivola
We asked some officials what the jobs of their dreams used to be and what are they aiming to at the moment:
“Between the age of 3 and 4 and a half, I was super into pirates. I had lots of pirate stuff such as a hat, a fake parrot, plastic sword and an eye patch. I used to wear that patch for days. My parents forced me to take it off when I went to bed, but in rest I never did. After several days, like two weeks, one of the eyes stopped functioning so I was banned from being a pirate. At least in this life. I’m currently studying Social Sciences and I’m thinking about becoming a philosopher, researcher or, why not, a politician.”- Elliott Syren, Vice-President (SE)
“When I was little I was really interested in politics and society but I also had many artistic things that I like. I remember that I was into art, fashion and theatre at 13. But then, I started focusing on politics and somehow became less materialistic. This has changed my perspective. When I joined EYP I realized that I was more talented with stuff that has to do with society. Being involved in artistic projects showed me that it can be really tough, for example theatre implies a lot of practices, it’s not all about the fun. So basically, EYP has helped me figuring out that I want to be involved in politics, but probably not as my main career.”- Ida Eerola, Organiser (FI)
“Actually, I had three dreams when I was little. One was to become a stand-up comedian and the second one was to become an astronaut, just like everybody else I guess. The third one was to become a Pokemon trainer but that faded away when I realised that Pokemons don’t really exist. I believe I was 6 or 7. Dreams do change so now I’m studying Pharmaceutical Sciences. I don’t really see myself as a pharmacist in the future, but I’d rather work in a pharma company. I’m thinking that I could spend some time in the lab for now, to develop some new drugs. I took this path as my parents are Chinese and every Chinese kid has to go to a university and there is no such thing as a University of Comedians. My sight is not that good so the astronaut thing was not an option.”- Andong Hu, Vice-President (CH)
“As a kid I wanted to become a Moomin character because they were so adorable with their chubbiness and fluffy fur! By the time passed I started to realize that that wasn’t a very realistic dream, so I gave it up. I kind of grew out of the Moomin phase.
Later on I’ve fallen in love with science, especially biology. In the future I’d love to study neurobiology. I’m not completely sure but I’d really like to work as a neurobiology scientist since nowadays I’m so into it!” - Jenni Niemi, Media Team Member (FI)
“I used to dream about the cosmonaut’s profession! I was born on April 12th which is besides my birthday also the Cosmonauts’ Day! Therefore I used to think it’d be my destiny to become a cosmonaut. At the time there were a few laws that kept women from getting to work as a cosmonaut. Since I like challenges, the young version of me was motivated to become the first female to break the regulations! Later on I realized that it wasn’t a very realistic dream so I moved on. I also didn’t like physics at all so it’d have made the career so difficult that there wouldn’t have really been point doing it. About my dream job at the moment, I’m not sure if it’s a real profession but I’d love to be a traveler, explore the world as a fulltime job! I really like different cultures and basically the whole planet of ours.” - Svitlana Midianko, Chairperson (UA)
In the end, it doesn’t really matter whether you knew your entire life what career path you are going to take or not. The idea is that you can always turn 180 degrees and just do whatever you are passionate about. Be a comedian, cosmonaut or pirate! Find the thing you love and be 100% proud of it.