Wednesday, October 22, 2008

When I grow up a little more, I want to be a ...

I have a very vivid memory of myself as a 5 yr old saying "When I grow up, I want to be a hairdresser". That idea was quickly quashed by my mother saying that my hands will be completely ruined by all the hair products.

Then when I was 7, I wanted to be a nurse. Unfortunately, back then, my mother didn't really encourage my interests in nursing either. With the shortage of nurses today, she's singing a different tune now.

After that, I was basically one of those people with no idea what they wanted to be when they 'grew up'. I went through phases of saying I wanted to be an occupational therapist, a social worker, a doctor and a radiographer. You'll notice that all those are health related.

Instead, I ended up studying engineering and business. I don't even really remember why I put that double degree course down as one of my choices. It may be purely because it was one of the first combined degrees around these parts at the time. So, was it merely for the fun of it? I really don't know. Fortunately, I did have fun.

My current job gives me the opportunity to be hairdresser, nurse, occupational therapist and social worker all on the same day. Some days, I'm also a doctor but there are no x-ray equipment in the house so, I haven't been a radiographer yet.

I'm trying to think ahead to when Aaron starts school and I get some time to myself again. Is there something that I really want to try my hand at? I don't mind going back to school to learn something new. So far there is one thing that I have found interesting and could potentially be a work-at-home job on a flexible schedule. I would never have thought of it when I was thinking of careers the first time around.

A lactation consultant.

Don't laugh readers, many women with newborns will tell you that these people are more important to survival than doctors!

Preliminary research shows that I may need to train as a nurse first though. So, after 25 years, we're back to Square 2. Its still just an idea.....

7 comments:

John A Hill said...

When I grow up I want to be a lactation consultant, too.

Bilbo said...

I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. Since John beat both Mike and I to the obvious smartass answer, I guess I'll just have to go back to the drawing board...

Cynthia said...

Well first off good for you! I went to school...got two degrees both in art. The I traded stocks for 15 years. Finally after becoming a stay at home Mom...I started my little blog design business and I get to do my own illustrating, finally. I really like it, and it's going really well:)
Good luck to you!

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

I love that you KNOW what you want to do. That you have, in fact, found your calling. You will do it and do it awesomely Amanda!

Mike said...

I read recently in the local paper about a GUY that IS a lactation consultant. There is hope John. I don't know why I remembered that article......hmmmm

Kellan said...

Some people know what they want to be from the time they are very little. I never had a clear vision- I still don't. I think you might just end up being that nurse, after all.

Take care - Kellan

egan said...

I guess the question here is "what kind of lactation consultant will you be?"

Most are good, but some are way too pushy with their relentless lactation advice.