What do you want to be when you grow up? It is one of those questions that follows us from childhood into adult life, even when we think we should already have the answer. I have asked myself this question for many years, and although I may be knocking on the door of 40, I still do not feel as though I have completely settled on my true vocation. At the moment, I have stepped away from work to look after Baby T, and I am genuinely loving this stage of life. Even so, being at home does not stop me from thinking about future career choices, personal ambitions, and what kind of work might suit me when the time is right.
Over the years, I have learned a lot about the kind of jobs I do not want to do. Like many people, I have had my share of less-than-glamorous roles, including a stint as an assistant manager at a well-known burger chain. Experiences like that can be useful, even if they are not always enjoyable, because they help you understand what motivates you, what drains you, and what kind of working environment you need. I cannot honestly say that I am completely decided on one perfect profession, but I do know that I want a career that feels worthwhile, interesting, and realistic alongside family life.
I seem to have found my way into working with food almost by accident, but it has opened up some brilliant opportunities. Food has allowed me to get involved in creative projects, try new things, and enjoy the simple pleasure of being able to eat my work. Cake-making has been a big part of my life, and I may well return to it one day, though probably not at the same level as before having T. With three young children still needing plenty of time, care, and attention, I know that any future career decision has to fit around our family as well as my own interests.
When I do start thinking seriously about going back to work, I would like to choose something that challenges me without taking over every part of my day and every corner of my brain. I want work that keeps me engaged, but I also want to be present at home. Food technology sounds especially interesting to me, particularly with the possibility of teaching the subject at some point in the future. If I did go down the teaching route, adult learning would be the area that appeals to me most. It feels like a natural extension of my interest in food, creativity, and practical skills.
Thinking about my own career path also makes me think about my girls. They have plenty of years ahead of them before they need to decide what they want to be when they grow up, but I already know that I want them to have as much choice as possible. I want them to have information, encouragement, and the confidence to explore different options. In some ways, life must feel easier if you know from an early age what career you want and can work steadily towards it. On the other hand, if you set your heart on one particular path and then do not get the grades or opportunities you need, the disappointment must be incredibly hard.
Perhaps that is why I find career stories so fascinating. Some people seem to have a clear plan from the beginning, while others arrive at their work through a series of unexpected turns. I think about my friend Juju from Derby, who is setting up her own cake company, and I wonder whether that was always her dream or whether it grew gradually from a passion. I think about Janine, who is beginning an exciting new chapter by opening her own coffee shop. Then there is my friend Wendy, for whom becoming a doctor has been a lifelong ambition. Her path seems defined by determination and purpose, but not everyone’s career journey looks like that.
For many of us, the answer to “What do you want to be when you grow up?” changes over time. Childhood dreams can fade, practical responsibilities can take over, and new interests can appear when we least expect them. A career is not always a straight road. Sometimes it is a collection of experiences, lessons, mistakes, and small opportunities that slowly point us in a new direction. I may not have a final answer yet, but I am beginning to understand what matters to me: creativity, flexibility, challenge, family, and a sense of purpose.
So, what about you? Did you always know what you wanted to be, or are you still working it out too? Whether your career path has been carefully planned or completely unexpected, it is always interesting to hear how people end up doing the work they do. Maybe the question is not simply what we want to be when we grow up, but what kind of life we want our work to support.