Ever since we were about four or five years old we were all bombarded with one big question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" For some of us, we answered with careers like teachers and doctors and policemen and firefighters. Others of us answered with jobs like ice cream truck drivers and candy shop owners. And then there were some of us who seriously had no idea. Oh, and we cannot forget about the ambitious few who wanted to be a superhero and veterinarian and lawyer and bus driver all at the same time.
Then we got older, but the question never went away. In fact, it held even more meaning and got a bit more realistic. Those of us who struggled in junior high science classes realized that we probably don't want to be dentists anymore, and those who wanted to be ice cream truck drivers suddenly were excellent at math and wanted to be engineers.
And then came high school -- and this was not just any question, this was the question which would lead us to specific colleges, degree programs, and majors. This was the million dollar question.
While I know it can be argued that this question is what encourages goal setting and role models in our early childhood, this idea was challenged when I attended a conference which started with the opening like, "Who (not what) do you want to be?"
It is when you ask this revised question that you can see progress in ones answer through development from a child to a high schooler to one with a new career. If for just one minute we can ask ourselves who we want to be rather than what we want to be, we can have solid qualities, traits and values which we can then look for in various career paths.
Perhaps you want to be someone who is happy, successful and working with people. These are answers you may say from when you are first asked at the age of four all the way until you are asked when you are applying for college. Sure, the career that matches these "who-traits" may change based on your age, but the end result will be the same.
As a five year old, working as a ice cream truck driver will make you happy (I mean who doesn't want to have access to ice cream all day?), successful (should I mention the ice cream again?), and you'll be working with people as you give them their ice cream. And while this may not seem like the case when you exit your early childhood, one thing will remain the same, your goals for happiness, success, and the ability to work with people.
This concept has challenged me to reevaluate my career and lifelong goals. Am I striving for a position with the title of what I want to be, or am I striving for a position that embodies the qualities which will allow me to be who I want to be?
Take five minutes and write down who you want to be. From a voice to a helping hand to a person who works with numbers, the options can only be limited by you.
Will your future career allow you to be who (not what) you want to be? This is truly the million dollar question.