What did you want to be when you grew up?

Stage manager, I did my work experience at school in the West End. Currently working in a nursing home.

I wanted to be an archaeologist or a scientist, or sometimes an artist or a vet. Never managed any of them. But then I never really tried, just daydreamed.

A vet. But unfortunately I was only good at subjects that were useless for entry to that university course.

Shelbel

A detective or a singer.

You are Dan Dark and I claim my £5

I’m still thinking about it?

When very young I wanted to be an actress and when I was older I wanted to be a vet. Life took me in a different direction!

Oh easy really wanted to be a farmer. My mum was horrified said I’d need to be a gentleman farmer in that case...( I am and was female) This was later replaced by a hospital worker of any designation.

I wanted to be a nurse - I became a dental nurse instead.

If I had my time again I would love to work in an Auction House. This, of course, has been because I love all the auction programmes on tv like Flog It and Bargain Hunt

Oh yea my Dad said no to me joining the Wrens because he said I didnt like people telling me what to do.
I havent changed much.

When I was 15 I wanted to join the Wrens but my dad said no. I really wanted to be a nurse but I didnt because I was asked to leave school at 14 and a half. I must have been a bit naughty. I wasnt expelled I think they thought they couldnt teach me anything because I knew everything or so I thought!

I wanted to be an actress, however I was a pretty rubbish secretary as it fitted in with bringing up our DS. When he left Uni I went to Uni and then taught in adult education half my time and was a professional speaker the other half. I loved both jobs.

FannyCornforth

Grammaretto
That sounds like the beginning of a wonderful romantic novel.

Us thwarted authors looking for a plot are taking notes.

A Domestic Science teacher,

Grammaretto
That sounds like the beginning of a wonderful romantic novel.

Aged 5, I announced to my little pals that I wanted to be a farmer's wife. One of them said he wanted to be a farmer.
I treasured my marriage proposal.
He went on to become head of an art college. I became a potter. We met again recently at his mum's funeral.

I was a very shy, introverted child. I dreamed of doing anything where I didn’t have to talk to people. I had a few office jobs as a typist but never liked being the lowest paid, least educated at the company so I earned a degree and became a teacher! I don’t know how I gained the self-confidence to do it. I really liked interacting with the children, not as much with parents.

I wanted to be a doctor when I was a child.

I never saw a careers advisor but from my Catholic secondary school I got the impression that there were only three options.

1: Become a nun (which was obviously the best choice).

The Headmistress terrified me by deciding that I had a vocation. She used to grab me out of the playground at lunch time and take me to the chapel to pray for guidance.

I didn't dare tell her that I'd become an Atheist when I was ten.

2: Become a teacher

3: Get married and produce Catholic children.

There was never a chance of one or three happening but after a few years of doing jobs like Lab Technician and Switchboard Operator I went on a course and qualified as a teacher.

The first year was a bit dodgy (tough boys' school) but the next 33 were amazing fun.

As a small child I fancied becoming an angel- or a fairy. It was the shiny wings I think! Later my careers advisor discouraged my scientific or medical leanings and suggested librarianship- which I thought a very an odd suggestion- my spelling has always been problematic- whilst maths and sciences were more my thing!

When I was in Sunday School, aged about 5, the minister asked all the children what they wanted to be. All the boys wanted to do active, exciting things such as firemen, soldiers or pilots. The girls all said they wanted to be nurses or ballerinas until he got to me.

I said I wanted to be an engine driver and was mortified when the whole room collapsed in gales of laughter. Gently, it was explained to me that little girls couldn't be train drivers; don't ask why, dear, you just can't.

Imagine how pleased I was to learn in my 20s that I could now drive a train. Admittedly, it would be an electric multiple unit and not a wonderful hissing, clanking, chuffing great steam locomotive but still, a train.

Then I found out my myopia and astigmatism meant I'd never pass the medical! Sometimes, life kicks you in the gut!
(But I did manage to have a lot of fun and earn a living doing all the things I did do instead).

I wanted to be a surgeon doing all the operations in the operating theatre. I had to settle for less and went into nursing.
I loved the hustle and bustle of hospitals.

I wanted to work with children and left school at 16 and trained as a nursery nurse. I did it for 30 years and then went to University and qualified as a counsellor which I still do. I loved/love both careers

I wanted to be a Teacher and nearly did! But I became a University Administrator instead and loved it.

Isn't it lovely that so many of us did enjoy our jobs?

What is it about archeology? I too wanted to be an archeologist. Or perhaps an astronomer, or even first violin with a symphony orchestra.
I ended up as a mental health nurse which I loved.

Careers advice at my grammar school was useless. The Senior Mistress acted as careers officer for the girls and I hated her, so when she suggested I become a teacher I went right off the idea. However, after several false starts at different jobs I did become a qualified teacher and loved it.
When I was little I wanted to be a ballerina (no chance) but if I was starting again now I would still be a teacher. My dh (also a former teacher) thinks I'm mad. He would rather have been a doctor.