What did you want to be when you were a kid?

The Common Room Members, Inc.
#1

I assume most of us on this forums would be late teens, young adults… but if you aren’t above, say, 12, you can just tell us your current future-occupation. So we all know we had some pretty idealistic dream jobs when we young. But then we got old, and ‘wised up’. Maybe some of us held on to that dream, and are now either working towards it or living it. So I want to bring us back to that day, when you had to write an essay, or present a speech to the class back in Elementary school- when you had to answer that question:

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

For me, I first entertained the notion of being a postman. There was a post-office next to my primary school, and my parents would put me on the postman’s motorcycle and take pictures of me. My brother and I later took turns wishing to become ‘policeman’ or ‘fireman’. I think these two jobs are like, the dream jobs for 90% of male kids everywhere. :stuck_out_tongue:

Later, I told my parents I wanted to be a cartoonist. I was inspired by Sunday serials like Garlfield, Crock, and Bone (back before I even knew their titles!). I would doodle on the strips, with my own interpretations of them. I also watched a healthy dose of Western cartoons like TinTin and Animaniacs, and I even made my own characters based on them. My parents humoured me by taking me to art classes, a cartooning course, and even to see C.W. Kee, one of the greatest Malaysian comic artists who now still draws for The Sun, a local newspaper. But then, they must have realized they were dooming me to an ‘uncertain career path’, and then persuaded me to ‘choose something else.’

Throughout high school, I considered forensic scientist (because I was inspired by shows like CSI, I still wanted to be a cop, and I was good at Biology and Physics), marine biology (again, good at Biology, but also because I had a passion for marine life) and writer (I excelled in a Speech & Drama center, beating the writing skills of folks older than me, and I frequently contributed short stories to my school yearbooks).

And now, I’m in university. I’m completing my Bachelor of Digital Media, whereupon I discovered that although I may enjoy animation, it’s one thing to like it and another to be good at it. And believe me, if you’re gonna attempt CGI animation (which is all the rage nowadays) you better be prepared to learn some pretty complicated software packages and always reinvent yourself. I also discovered I was still good at writing (at least, I think I am), and I’m still contributing short essays (this time, to my university magazine). Which is why I may consider pursuing a postgrad in Journalism. I don’t know whether I have the aptitude or courage to be a hard-nosed cub reporter, but then again, I never really found my ideal job most of my life. I’m still looking for it now.

Now is your turn!

#2

Great topic, thedriveintheatre! :smiley:

I’ve always had a passion for drawing, ever since I was like 2. My family said my drawings were good too, and I declared that I wanted to be an artist at about 5 years old.

Then when I was 10 I saw that my drawings were very cartoony, so then I wanted to be a cartoonist.

Then at 11 Pixar came into my life, and I wanted to be an animator. That idea was quickly turned around when I had a 3D animation taster day at school- not that I found it hard and gave up or anything, I just thought “this isn’t me”.
So I went back to drawing and fancied the idea of a Pixar character designer.

Now at 14 I take Graphics at high school, and after reading something in my Pixarpedia about a graphic designer and what they do, I thought “Wow, now there’s my future Pixar job!” :slight_smile:

Sorry for the blabber, but designing and doodling have always been something I have enjoyed doing.

#3

That’s a good question! That’s funny that you used to want to be a postman when you were younger, thedriveintheatre. :laughing:

I guess most people tend to choose the fun careers when they’re children, and then end up with something inevitably more boring as they get older. For me, it was the other way round. When I was younger, I wanted to be either a lawyer or an accountant. Now I’m older, I’d like to go into an area of psychology- not necessarily clinical psychology (dealing with the stereotypical schizophrenics and depressives, that sort of thing) but perhaps neuroscience, or maybe even becoming a psychology lecturer.

I don’t really know at the moment, though. All that’s certain is that I’ll be studying for my Psychology BSc this September, and from there I’ll probably discover my favourite areas in psychology and will hopefully find a job to suit. I’m pretty certain of doing some postgraduate study, so that’s probably when I’ll specialize a bit more.

#4

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#5

Oh god… I was CLUELESS. I wanted to be everything! I was good at everything as well. I produced some dance tracks back when I was 10~13 (looking back, they were quite impressive, considering I was using professional software), a surfer (I attended to many skimboarding competitions, but this hype was soon replaced by kitesurfing), playing in an orchestra (I currently still play clarinet and oboe, and I play piano in my free time)… but… Drawing never was one of them. Even though I always LOVED watching Disney movies… or any form of animated movies, for that matter. It never got boring, even when I got older (only stuff like Dora did ><).

But yeah, a few months ago (back in late 2009) I got introduced into the art world, AND I FELL IN LOVE. I started drawing then, and I’m making progress. I don’t think I’ll ever be good enough to live from it, but that won’t stop me from trying. I have been to a few open door days at the art acadamy HKU in the Netherlands (they have a wonderfull EMMA in Animation education, EMMA being European Media Master of Arts). I showed them some of my stuff and they said that if I keep going like this and practice animating a bit in programs like TVPaint until I’m like 19~20 years of age, the only thing that stands in my way of being accepted is the interview (my portfolio should be fine). But I think that won’t be very hard for me. I’m very dedicated and serious about what I’m doing, I have an incurable passion for art and animation, and it keeps growing every day and I ADORE THAT SCHOOL!

So yeah… let’s do hope dreams can become reality, if you try hard enough. :slight_smile:

#6

Well, originally, I wanted to be a teacher, then I realised I hate 99.99999% of people. I then wanted to work as a character at Disneyworld, quickly realising I would never have anything. I then wanted to be a veterinarian, and I now wish to have an important Pixar job, my first serious ambition.

#7

I haven’t had that many career swings in my short life so far. Since I was about 6, I wanted to be a cartoonist. But when I was 11 or 12-ish I got into animation, and now I want to be an animator, preferably at Pixar. :stuck_out_tongue:

#8

Interesting responses, everyone! :slight_smile:

I forgot to mention… I was one of the best students for my ‘Introduction to Law Course’ in pre-U (I did a Commerce stream). It was really only because I was the most eloquent and confident among my classmates, but one day I stayed back to ask the teacher to ask a question, and after answering, he paused and said:

“Have you ever considered a career in law?”

I was quite surprised with his suggestion and simply answered I was thinking about it. This was true, I loved the adverserial aspect of it, I liked watching criminal procedural shows, and I admired Sally’s character from Cars back then. And for my tutor to actually voice my inner ambitions was very flattering, to say the least.
Eventually, though, I gave up that dream, because as much as I’d love to be a barrister grilling suspects in court, it is a very intense and oftentimes emotionally-gruelling line of work. And then there’s the solicitor, who just sits in an office and sifts through mountains of paperwork and legal documents. My parents took me into several law firms in their hometown, and I was immediately put off by its sheer untidyness! So I figured, I can’t do this every day, I can’t ‘live’ this kind of work. :stuck_out_tongue:

I also considered that at one point during the ‘Marine Biology/Forensic Scientist’ stage. :slight_smile: I loved animals, and I still do- I borrow books on herpetology and marine life, and I watch Sir Attenborough running around the world all the time!

#9

The first job I ever remember seriously wanting was to be a zookeeper. I really loved African animals when I was younger, and I wanted to surround myself with them as much as possible.

#10

I was obsessed with dinosaurs so naturally, I wanted to be a paleontologist. xD

Now I wanna be either an author or cartoonist. Maybe both, I dunno.

#11

thedriveintheatre- Haha, I had the exact same experience with law. Did a couple of weeks work experience at a local law firm when I was 16, and though some of it was very exciting and fascinating, I soon realised that the bit of law I liked the most was the psychology behind the criminals.

It’s like when, for a very short while, I wanted to work at Pixar. I really liked the idea of it, and I did excel in art at school, but I’m rubbish with computers and I wasn’t keen on the animation side of things. Then I asked myself the question, ‘what is it I really love about Pixar’s films?’ and found the answer to be nothing to do with the animation, but everything to do with the characters and their psychology.

So I guess I was predestined to go down this path. :laughing:

Haha, Badger, I remember having a paleontologist phase too! Dinosaurs are awesome.

#12

My brother loved dinosaurs and wanted to be a paleontologist when he was a kid, too! :open_mouth: Then he ‘grew up’ and decided to be a lawyer/economist (He’s taking a Combined Degree in both subjects now). :unamused:

I entertained that idea (of working at Pixar, or any other animation studio like Animal Logic) back in '06 when Cars and Happy Feet were my obsessions. Then like you, I realized I wasn’t cut out for the ‘technical side’ of things, and sort of lost my way. But then I realized that most of the subjects I got Distinction in were theory-based subjects, and as I’m sure you know, I’m the go-to-man for my friends when it comes to writing/correcting essays. I thought hard about this talent I have in writing- I’m sure I mentioned it elsewhere, but I was the top student in the Creative Writing class I attended in a Speech & Drama tuition centre (I was the youngest, yet I wrote better than classmates two years older than me), and I contributed frequently to my primary and secondary school yearbooks. I still probably have the original copies somewhere… and as some of you may have seen, I wrote a couple of reviews for my university magazine on Monsters vs Aliens and Up, which I’ve posted in their respective threads.

Granted, I was up against Chinese-educated locals most of the time, and I’m probably going to face greater competition if I choose to work in Western societies like Australia or America, especially when it comes to their local politics/current affairs. That’s why I try to keep up with the news and general knowledge, and I’m the only one among my friends who actually reads traditional newspapers and non-fiction books (they’d rather read comic books instead! :unamused:). I still have a long way to go when it comes to writing compelling stories, but I’m working on it!

And I’ve still not quit on the idea of working for Pixar or an animation company one day, though it’s quite unlikely at the moment. I’m also toying with the idea of producing a comic book after-hours and hopefully to gain a loyal fanbase, but seeing as how a journalist never ‘clocks out’, that is also improbable.

If you like criminal pyschology, I recommend you watch this show called ‘Criminal Minds’. It’s a police procedural with a side of ‘brain candy’. :slight_smile:

#13

Well, I’ve known since I was tiny that I need a job that involves creativity, so that’s always been what makes me think. The first job I can ever remember wanting to have was zookeeper, when I was about 3. When I started thinking about what I actually wanted to be when I was around ten I went through a lot of different phases. First was my food phase. I was going to be a chef. Then I was going to be an ice cream scooper. Then I was going to be a cake decorator. (something I still want to learn to do - edible art!) Then I wanted to be a food scientist.

Then my 8th grade career survey said I should either be a librarian or work backstage at a theater so I decided not to look into food anymore.

Once I got to HS I became sure that whatever I would do would involve computers and science in some way, and my compsci classes have confirmed to me that I really love it. After I went to see Wall-E for my 16th birthday with one of my friends, I started looking up stuff about Pixar, and once I saw The Pixar Story on the Wall-E DVD I was absolutely hooked. I started researching computer graphics and learning some Flash and I’ve been absolutely sure ever since that I want to work in at Pixar doing computer stuff. Currently I think simulation stuff like clothes and crowds and fur is really cool, but my interests might change as I get to college, though I’m 99% sure I’m still going to be aiming for Pixar. Now I’m all set to get started on my dream in the fall at college. I’m going to be double majoring in computer science and digital arts & sciences, YAY!

#14

First, I wanted to be a vet, then I wanted to train horses, and now I’m going to stick to my artistic skills and be an animator or a character designer. Hopefully at Pixar, but if not Pixar, I will try Big Idea. And if I can’t do that, then I will move to a place where I can have pet skunks and write a book and sell my art. :smiley:

#15

Ermmm, Only a firefighter really when I was little, but since about age 8/9 i’ve always just wanted to be a good guy leading a good life basically :smiley:

#16

A puppeteer. people laughed at me and say stuff like “A-HA you sleep with puppets” and all that crap and now look at me. I’m making replicas of the muppets.

From
sock puppets to Sesame street replicas. how awesome is that?

Please promote your puppets within your own thread. You can provide a link to that thread if you want. Thanks! - TDIT

#17

Gosh, so many things! But the most memorable one was that I use to want to be an astronaut, so bad! This was in my junior high years. Anyway, I wanted to be the first person to step foot on Mars! I had a passion for space and astronomy, and still do. That dream was crushed when I learned that you have to have 20/20 vision to become an astronaut. And I have horrible eyesight! :frowning:

#18

When I was little I either wanted to be a director or a cartoonist. I’m a bit of a practicing cartoonist nowadays, so I’ve still been holding on to one of those dreams.

#19

When I was little, I wanted to become an astronaut, a brain surgeon, and a chemist.

#20

Hmmm, let me think. I had so many things I wanted to be when I was a kid :laughing:

The big things I remember were that I wanted to be a Pizza shop owner and manager, a Coka-Cola delivery truck driver, or a massage therapist. I think it’s funny that despite these rather low education jobs, I still tried as hard as I could in school and got A’s and B’s :laughing: Of course, I would never want a job like these nowadays :wink:

wow, how interesting! I can tell you one thing, Chemistry is definitely one of the subjects I struggle with the most.