Part one:

If you're still 21 or under - what do you want to be some day?

Part two:

If you're all grown up - what DID you want to be some day?


For me, I always wanted to get into research or to be the most amazing mechanic anywhere. (number one).

The way it worked out I got into Electronics in the USN, made a career of the military, and spent a while working on RV's before the industry had the bottom fall out in my area. It isn't over yet - and I can honestly say I've travelled all the way around the world.

Strange how things work out.

 

Well Dutch, I'm all grown up, now. . . and things didn't turn out exactly like I planned.

I wanted to go into the Navy. I wanted submarine duty.
I wanted nuclear propulsion.

Grades weren't good enough. Heck, I had trouble adding 2 + 2 back then.
(Now, I can count to 21 if I'm not wearing clothes!)


My Dear Old Dad didn't want me to enter the service, and go off to 'Nam and die.
Fortunately, the war ended before I could defy him and go.

He said, "Son, I want you to have a better life than I had. I want you to get into computer programming, not printing. For Heaven's sake, never become a printer!"

Well. . . I listened to him ONCE. I didn't go into the Navy. (I've regretted that for over 30 years!)
I did become a printer. I'm pretty successful at it.
There was a time that I ran presses, did darkroom work, bindery work, etc., etc. (Every aspect of printing. . . I've done.)

Now, I sit behind a computer for 8. . . 10. . . 12 hours.

My greatest accomplishment. . . .
My kids.
I've got 4 of the greatest kids that I could ever hope to have.

Life ain't so bad. . . after all.

 

Wolfus, I'm 28 and starting OVER. My career choice that I made at 18 is taking it's toll. The stress combined with the stupidity of the american public (a person is smart, as a whole the population in my area has a combined IQ of less than 50), is killing me literally. Going back to school here in the spring I hope, if not spring it'll be the summer. Finally going to get into the computer field like I should have back then.

 

When I was 25 - I got sick of finding jackdaws working jobs I wanted that I wasn't getting hired for because they somehow represented themselves better than I did.

It never occured to me that employers wanted fast work, and plausible deniability - I thought people wanted QUALITY! But that's a hard thing to sell to someone/something out to make CASH

That was when I made a hard right into the military

 

I wish I had joined the navy at 18 like I wanted to. I'd be whole lot better off now. Of course I wouldn't have met my current wife. I'd still be in, probably doing something intelligence or electronics related. But like they always say "hind sight is always 20/20". So it's time to get that technical training that I need (not need, but need the paper), and get into the field that's not going to die.

 

One of my private peaves: Pieces of Paper Don't Prove Performance (but they land the jobs)

 

I passed 21 a long ways back.

What I would have liked to have done is finished college, maybe gotten a teaching degree like my brother and sister. Don't get me wrong, I like working with my hands, but sometimes I wonder if I made the right decision.

I also would have liked to have been married and had some kids. Back then, I really did'nt think I would have made a good father, and maybe I would'nt have. But now, I regret that I never gave myself the chance to find out for sure.

 

I had a blast as a navy instructor! I could do something like that again.

 

Since I was about 10 I wanted to be an automotive engineer like my dad. I still can't believe they PAY me to play with cars and trucks!

My career has taken me to almost every state, several Canadian provinces (only in the winter!) Germany, Mexico, and Australia.

In performing my job I've ridden in a SCORE Trophy Truck on a race course for over 80 miles with Rob MacCachran. I've rode in an undisclosed car on the Nurburgring race track. We did a lap in 8 minutes, 20 seconds, which is FAST. Max speed on that lap was 160 MPH. I've also taken data riding in a Corvette ZR1 at the VIRginia International Raceway. Ford also sent me to the Bondurant School to learn about high performance driving.

 

I am 44 and wanted to be married to a great man could grow old with have babies and be a great mom. I wanted to have a farm and barrel race with my best friend till I couldnt ride anymore.
Well I did marry twice and neither was a great man. ( but I accept responsibility for my choices) but I did have babies and they all say im a great mom (I turn the mixer off first) my girls 12/20/24/25 are amazing and blessings to this world. My horse and I have run with the best for 13 years now. I have just retired us both from professional barrel racing.
So all but one of my when I grow ups came to be. The one I failed at is okay. Just made me a better person in the long run.

 

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a fighter pilot, or an astronaut.

When I was just under 21, I wanted to be a mechanic. Became an apprentice bodyman around 21/22. Finally grew a brain and went back to be an apprentice mechanic at 24/25.

Just recently grew a bigger brain, I want to go back and get a degree in kinesiology. Just have to make the time now.

 

When I was a kid, I wanted to be an ATP Pilot, Cop or Firefighter, but left school early Grade 10, got into an HVAC apprenticeship got my C of Q and Gas ticket (fitter II) did it for 5 years as a Journeyman, then had an opportunity to run a concrete boom pump for a Union Company.. IUOE Local 793 and got hooked on it.

To date I own my own Concrete Pumping company with 10 boom pumps from a 28 meter up to a 52 Meter boom and the most recent addition when it's delivered a 65Meter Boom which will be the biggest boom in Ontario.

Never did get to be a cop or an ATP pilot, but i do have trucks that resemble firetrucks sort of, and I try to keep them as clean as a fire trucks, and I do have a course booked for spring for my PPL Pilots license....

My teachers told me I would fail in life for leaving school early.... so much for that theory teach,...... not bad for a 32 year old drop out hey teach !

As far as a grade 12, I have had many work for me, and yes indeed it is just a useless piece of paper IMHO, and is meaningless to me, demonstrated abilities is what interests me !

Just because the writing says you can do it don't mean you can..... show me, you can do it....

-Bill

 

Well that there is kind of freaky because it is exactly what I wanted to do. It was in 1980 so war wasn't realy a factor at the time, but Dad wanted me to try college. Went as an Agricultural Engineer, discovered that I really did not have the fortitude to do the engineering math, ended up in Agricultural Mechanization. Senior year made $ as a teaching assistant in a welding class and decided to stay an extra year and get my teaching credentials.

24 years later, here I am teaching Ag Mechanics in a high school.

I do wish I had done some travelling before I settled in.

I have students that want to go out to the midwest on the combine crew and I always tell them "GO! Do it while you are young and free to explore" Some do, and they tell me they had a great experience.

 

As far back as I can remember, I wanted to be a cowboy.
When I was 32 (in 1999), I realized that being a cowboy was really hard work, didn't pay that well, and had a crappy retirement program. Luckily I had a college degree that opened the door to another area of agriculture for the last 10 years.

I haven't decided what I want to be when I grow up.

 

Is that the study of that kid that always gets killed on Southpark?