Recently, I was asked a question while applying for a student leadership position at school.
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
It seemed like a simple question, but it made me stop and think.
Most people probably don't think much about it. But I think it can make children feel as though the answer they give today is the answer they're expected to keep forever.
The truth is, it doesn't work that way.
When you ask a child what they want to be, they might excitedly say, "I want to be a firefighter!" or "I want to be a vet!" But those dreams can change—and that's perfectly okay. Children grow, discover new interests, and learn more about the world every day. As we grow, our dreams grow too.
Take me as an example. When I was younger, I wanted to become an entrepreneur and a chef. Today, I want to be a teacher. Who knows how many more times my goals might change in the future? The possibilities are endless.
And it's not just children who change.
My mum used to be a software developer. Then she took to blogging and freelancing.
Today, she works in Cyber Security.
In another ten years, she might decide to do something completely different. People learn new skills, discover new passions, and sometimes choose a brand-new path. If adults are allowed to change their minds, why shouldn't children be allowed to do the same?
Being asked this question for an application made me wonder whether adults expect children to already have one clear answer. But growing up is all about exploring. How can we know exactly what we want to do before we've had the chance to discover everything that's out there?
Maybe one day I'll become a teacher.
Or maybe I'll become a scientist, a writer, an engineer, or even invent a job that doesn't exist yet.
That's the exciting part about growing up.
Instead of expecting children to choose one path and stick to it, let's encourage them to stay curious, keep learning, and follow whatever inspires them at each stage of life. A child's dream isn't a promise about who they will become. It's simply a snapshot of their imagination at that moment.
After all, growing up isn't about finding one perfect answer. It's about discovering new possibilities along the way.
So maybe, instead of asking,
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
we could ask,
"What kind of person do you want to become?"
Because careers may change.
Dreams may change.
But kindness, curiosity, courage, and a willingness to keep learning can stay with us for life.
– The Little Duck Says 🦆
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