I've known since I was very young that I wanted to do something that would allow me to travel and see the world.

And I was interested in politics.

So I studied International Relations at University.

While at University, I realized that to be anybody in my field I would need at least a master's degree, but I didn't want to pay for it.

So I spoke to a Navy recruiter and we discussed career options within my field with the Navy. I found a match and joined the Navy after completing my bachelor's degree.

They are now putting me through grad school for my masters.

"Plan the work. Work the plan"

I always wanted to sing. It turned out that and basic piano chords became a hobby. Fairs and stuff. It was a blast. If I were well I'd get some good training and backup for someone, big or small, as long as it paid. I prefer harmony anyway. Lead takes more balls, and I've never found my footing there. But I love winding my way in and out of different notes that compliment the lead.

Heck, I'd clean hotels again if I could, and be happy about it. Wah. What a victim.

What would YOU do? Something in the litigation field, if I remember?

I've wanted to be a rockstar since I was 3 years old. Fat lot of good it did me, though, because my parents tried to destroy my dream at every turn. Until I was 16, my Dad bought me a keyboard. I wish I'd realised that it was his way of supporting my dream, but because he and Mom kept saying, "Be realistic, find a -real- job", and kept referring to my dream as a "hobby", I slumped down and just... gave up. Some people thrive through adversity. I needed support. Everybody's different. And they were only trying to protect me from disappointment. I love them, but I wish they'd supported my dream.

I was about 23 or 24. I was working in a machine shop and decided I did not want to spend the rest of my life covered in cutting oil. I sat down and thought about things I was qualified to do, things that I thought were important, and things that I thought I was good at. I narrowed it down to an occupation that I was interested in....prepared myself. Then I went about applying for the position. Was hired at 26 and it worked out well for me.

26. Long story hahaha

It changed a few times from circumstances, but 15.

Joined the Navy at 19, engineering. 40 years later, still doing the job, just in civilian land.

There are many things I've wanted to do for a living and many things I've done for a living. I'm working on doing what I want for a living, although an aspiring musician is a risky move. Playing and creating music is quite different than what I went to college for at an early age, IT/IS technical support...

I'm currently 36 years old and reconsidering my occupation as an IT support technician. Due to health reasons, I need to work from home. I've been unable to land another work from home gig doing tech support (which I started while still in high school with my own business). I'm also of a creative nature, runs in the family all over the place. Each of my family members is an artist of at least one variety. I've always wanted to focus on music; only now at this age am I taking it seriously again. The last time I played music with aspirations was also back in high school.

In summary, I pretty much knew from about age 16 or so what I wanted to do. Both in reality and in an ideal world. I never considered being a musician to be practical, until now.

19 . I turned down medschool at the last moment and went another way ... second best decision of my life

I’ve never wanted to do anything I just wanted to be a millionaire so I didn’t have to.

I was a kid. My mind was so fixated on the idea, I still can’t imagine myself doing anything else.

First grade. As soon as I learned how to write, I knew I wanted to write.

10th grade. I planned to attend the computer programming program at the vo-tech school our high school shipped students to for their junior and senior years. Then I saw a presentation by the school about all the programs they offered — and I saw their graphic arts program. They taught all about offset printing, typesetting, all that stuff. (This was in the late '70s, so long before digital design was a thing.) As soon as I saw it, I was there.

11th grade. I chose to apply to one university. One. My plan was to go to the first and best journalism school in the world. It never even occurred to me that I wouldn't be accepted. And I was accepted, and eventually got into the school of journalism, where I did a lot of writing, and I also did a lot of graphic design.

So, there's that.

I figured out what I wanted to do last semester, so 20 years old lol.

I focused on a couple of majors, realizing they weren't for me, before deciding on criminal justice lol

I always knew I wanted to be a stripper

I was very young when I realized I wanted to help people and build things. I was around five. I kind of tried other ways out to see if they fit me but I have always been a philanthropic craftsman!😁

I had ideas of what I wanted to be but I never had that “aha” moment, I have a great job now but many things just happened along the way to get me nto what I do now. Try to strive to do something you enjoy and pays decently and invest in education if you can, your working life lasts a long time

Still figuring it out

When I figure it out, I will let you know. Seriously though, I’ve done some interesting things along the way in life. It has prepared me to do what I love to do now. There are many doors yet to open in life for me.

Around 10. Joined the Navy at 20 and became an Avionics Tech. Retired, went to school and now a Jet Engine Mechanic

LOL, which time? In my teens I was going to be a historian, in my early 20s I was going into Marketing (and got a Bachelor's degree in it), in my late 30s I became an accountant.

I have known for a long time but I did nothing about it. I was in jr high when I decided.

Now I am going back to school and obtaining my degree as a leg up and as a way to motivate me to keep reaching for that dream. Better late than never.

Don't be like me kids. Do what you know you want to do no matter your fears.

22. Lol I realized I should put my passion for nature into a career. I’m only passionate about two things, so it was either music or nature. 🤷‍♀️

From the time I was five I wanted to be a cop. When I was 23 the city of Portland advertised open applications so I put mine in. Out of 3,500 that submitted, mine was one of 500 chosen. I made it clear to the final phase of the process, the oral examination board interview, and blew it :/

At age 23 i have decided what i really wanna do with Life and works..
and still im doing that with dignity . 😌

I never did. I was too busy just surviving.

4. Graduated from high school, went right to work.

When I was 17. I went to college and got a 2 year degree in that field.

I still haven't, and I probably never will. The only thing I want to do - and this is on my CV - is help people.

Sixteen. I got my University Entrance Score high enough a year early, didn't know what I wanted to study. Took a year off, left home did some travel and work experience in a Real Estate Office. I ended up doing a degree in Valuation and Property Management. While I am a qualified valuer I sell real estate.

Work in progress.

At the age of 22 In 2002 i moved out of my parents place and moved down to London for 5 years to live a different life and life experiences I ended up gaining my secretary experience there in a top office job. ☺️

Stacey 💋

14.
I'd worked as a volunteer during the school holidays in a similar capacity but the law states that you have to be 21 before you can be considered to work in similar environments.

So off i went getting experience in other things before i applied at the age of 21 for a job i wanted.

I don't think I ever really did. 🤔

16/17

mid teens, knew I wanted a career in military. First considered becoming a pilot/warrant officer school; by the time I was 17, was tired of schooling and became Infantryman instead

My hobby was electronics since my dad was a ham radio operator. So I became an electrical engineer. But I didn't figure to be a career until I was 26. Hmmmm...

I dont think ive figured out what i want to do yet, more just learned the things i dont enjoy doing by having done them

19?

I chose math. Or perhaps it chose me.

26 and I just fell into it
It’s not what I wanted to do but it’s worked out fine

Hahahaha. I'm 31 and I still have absolutely no idea, but life has thrown a few pretty big obstacles my way too haha. I'll figure it out though. :)