by Hannah Curtis

Created on: November 01, 2008

Aspirations alter frequently as you grow up. Our final career choices as a rule change from our outlandish childhood goals, and appear to be dull and tame in comparison. For example very few children grow up to become explorers or footballers. They become bankers, accountants, and teachers. It is interesting to imagine what your six year old self would think of you at thirty; they would most probably be disappointed.

My first career dream was to become a librarian. From the moment I learnt my alphabet I became an avid, insatiable reader. I remember at the age of six balancing on my Grandfather's knee and informing him resolutely that I was going to become a librarian. I liked the idea of being paid to spend the whole day reading books. My Grandfather was amused to say the least at my childish view of a librarian's role.

When I moved to secondary school my aspiration changed. I was now determined to be a stay-at-home mother. Needless to say when I naively announced this to the class in a discussion I received a negative response from the class. It is truely sad that this choice of career, of raising a large family, is no longer accepted as real work. Raising a family of well behaved, decent, well rounded individuals does not just happen. It requires time, love, sacrifice and hard work. Just like any other job in my opinion. However apparently in today's world this is no longer seen as a worthy occupation.

My peer group never forgot my innocent, instinctive reply to the question so innocently posed by the teacher. They regarded me as an idiot so from that day on and they never moved on from it. This did not make me change my mind; however as my secondary school years progressed I began to fall in love with the idea of teaching. Soon my aspiration changed to that of becoming a teacher initially and then leaving to be a stay-at-home mother when the time presented itself.

This remained my choice of career for five years and I spent my free time having work experience at local primary schools and summer camps. However this ended when I realised my passion for writing, for the past two years I have written in my spare time, around my studies. These include articles, novels and revision guides. My current career plan is focused upon the publishing world. I am hoping that this will be my last transition; however I remain open to new possibilities. Who knows what lies for me in the future?

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