I saw this discussion online: What was your childhood dream job and what is your current career? So, I'd like to join in the discussion of reflecting on my childhood dreams and comparing them to my current career.
Childhood is a time when dreams are limitless and aspirations boundless. In those early years, we often envision ourselves in extraordinary professions, fueled by an innocent belief that anything is possible.
According to a survey done in the UK, the main jobs or industries that one dreamed of working in as a child include teacher, vet, doctor, sportsperson, police officer, business owner, musician, lawyer, actor, and pilot.
The survey also found that one in four (25%) are currently working in their childhood dream job, but the remaining three-quarters (75%) said they’re not. Of those who said they’re not working in their childhood dream job, 22% said they’re nevertheless working in their dream industry.
My Childhood Dream: Doctor
During my primary school years, my childhood dream job was clear: I wanted to be a doctor. The motivation behind this choice was to make lots of money and save my family from poverty. Looking back, this ambition stemmed from the common Asian narrative: study hard, become a doctor, make lots of money, make your parents proud.
Most importantly, I had good grades. Consistently ranked as a top student for six consecutive years, I was resolute that becoming a doctor was my predestined path.
My aspiration to pursue medicine persisted during my lower secondary school years (Form 1-3). However, my interests took a turn. As I approached the end of my lower secondary studies, I became fascinated with language studies and editorial work. This interest complicated my decision-making as I grappled with choosing between the Science or Arts streams for upper secondary education (Form 4-6). Ultimately, I was compelled to go with the Science stream, focusing on Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Additional Mathematics, because I was made to understand that it was easier for Science stream graduates to find high-paying jobs.
Throughout those years, guidance on career pathways and childhood dreams was absent. Consequently, my school years passed by without me having a concrete ambition. I found myself contemplating that if the pursuit of becoming a doctor was unattainable, I would simply navigate through whatever university course awaited me.
Upon completing Form 6, with less-than-ideal results, I realized that entering the Medical Faculty at any local university was beyond my reach. As a result, I ended up studying Science and graduated with BScEd (Honors) - Science with Education (majoring in Biology, minoring in Chemistry) from the University of Malaya.
My Career Path Today: Writing / Editorial
Over the years of employment, I've ventured into various industries, consistently finding myself in writing / editorial tasks. This included content planning, copywriting, writing, editing, proofreading, and similar roles.
Today, I'm not diagnosing diseases or performing life-saving surgeries. While I may not have fulfilled my childhood dream of becoming a doctor, I've come to realize that the essence of my dream was not limited to the medical field.
Instead, I've discovered my passion in a different angle—content strategy within the healthcare industry. I work at a hospital chain, I collaborate with a talented team to develop engaging and informative healthcare content, ensuring that patients and their families receive the information they need to make informed decisions about their health.
My current profession combines my passion for writing and desire to share health and wellness content with the public, despite not being a healthcare professional.
Although I didn't achieve my childhood dream job (doctor), I'm proud to be able to work in my dream industry (hospital & healthcare).
Moreover, how many of us can say they've had the opportunity to update their Ob/Gyn doctor about working at the same hospital a few years after delivering their baby? ;)
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