We asked strangers what they want to be when they grow up. We didn't expect these answers!
As we reach the year's midpoint, now's the time to pause and reflect on the first six months. What have you accomplished? What spontaneous adventures have turned into lifelong memories? And are you on the right path to achieving that dream life for yourself?
These check-in moments help us feel present, appreciate the good things that have happened, and also set intentions for our future. But they also often reveal how much our aspirations and perspectives have evolved over time.
The job or future you're fantasising about may be completely different to what it was when you were younger – but, surprisingly, that’s not just because you’ve changed as a person.
Each generation values different traits for their future, and these heavily inform the careers and lifestyles that we build for ourselves. Career aspirations change across generations, as new jobs are created and old ones become obsolete. Some of the top-rated jobs across generations include:
- Baby Boomers (1946 – 1965) – President, Chief Executive Officers, and realtors. Baby boomers are committed and self-sufficient, while also being highly competitive due to the high population of people born at the same time as them.
- Generation X (1966 - 1980) – Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and President. Generation X is resourceful and logical, possessing good problem-solving skills, having seen both a digital and a non-digital world.
- Millennial (1981 – 1995) – Realtor, Corporate Recruiter, and full stack engineer. Millennials are curious but confident and aren’t afraid to question authority figures as the first ‘digital native’ generation.
- Generation Z (1996 – 2012) – Corporate Recruiter, Marketing manager, and social media manager. Generation Z is ambitious and confident, unafraid to use their voice in creative methods.
Generation X and baby boomers will aspire to gain positions that require years of experience to warrant responsibility and ownership across a business or company. In comparison, millennials and Generation Z will look for non-technical, creative jobs that prioritise social impact and workplace community.
It’s never too late to change course, and no dream is ever too big. Gathered asked 36 people aged 7 to 77 what they wanted to be when they’re older, and the answers may surprise you.
What do you want to be when you’re older?
‘I don’t know. But not in an office job.’ – Hamish, 7
‘A black hole.’ – Ria, 10
‘Doing something creative, maybe pottery?’ – Ana, 11
‘I’d like to be an actor when I grow up.’ – Beth, 13
‘Financially stable.’ – Amelia, 21
‘I want to be a MILF. I want to be that cool, stylish, unreasonably young-looking Mum that looks flawless all the time and has a really awesome job and a husband so hot that the other mums chat shit about me on the playground because they’re jealous.’ – Chloe, 23
‘I want to be a successful author and have a book on The New York Times bestseller list.’ – Tori, 24
‘I want to be successful in my career and own my own damn house and be a dog mum to three puppies.’ – Jade, 25
‘Wealthy. I used to think it was happiness, but finances can hit you hard and financial independence can let you help the ones you love.’ – Megha, 25
‘When I’m older, I would like to have a job that pays my bills.’ – Magda, 26
‘I want to be positive, because that’s the hardest thing to be. I just want to be happy, and the rest will come.’ – Enya, 27
‘A jedi. And the best version of myself, mentally, professionally, and financially. Josh should say married to Carmen.’ – Carmen, 27
‘Successful, but not necessarily being rich or anything, more about achieving my own goals I set for myself. That’s how I see success. – Josh, 28
‘I want to be less afraid about my financial security when growing even older than I am right now. And I want an Irish wolfhound.’ – Rosalea, 30
‘Retiring early and living near a golf course.’ – Tim, 32
‘I am already older.’ – Alex, 33
‘I want to have a small holding and keep a cow and some other friendly animals.’ – Lou, 34
‘An archaeologist.’ – Posy, 37
‘My hobby is travelling and it is something I have been passionate about for a long time. I would like to turn this passion into my career and continue to explore the world and experience new cultures and countries.’ – Chris, 38
‘To drive the library bus and visit all of the little villages.’ – Fran, 40
‘I have always wanted to work with animals, at first I thought maybe a vet, but as I've gotten older, I've leaned more towards the equine side of things. I would still very much like to work with horses, not as a vet but I plan to study either on the nutritional side or general horsemanship. My absolute dream has always been to have my own land with stables on.’ – Rach, 42
‘When I grow up, I want to be a time traveller. But I also don’t want to grow up.’ – Alex, 43
‘A healer & a fighter. Someone who heals inner city kids and single mums, with an entourage of horses!’ – Tash 45
‘I want to be a farmer; I’m working towards running my own farm. So, my children inherit skills and hard work ethic. I don’t have assets to pass down but I can set them up with practical skills, knowledge and experience to survive for no matter what they choose from life.’ – Abi, 46
‘I’d like to be a furniture restorer.’ – Iain, 47
‘I just want semi-retirement and to look after my animals.’ – Den, 53
‘Financially secure and happy. When I retire, I’d love to backpack for a year like a student, having all of the adventures I missed out on when I was young. See the world. Go to Colombia.’ – Ruth, 54
‘I want to retire and to be able to travel.’ – Sharron, 55
‘An adult! To retire early abroad and live every day to the fullest.’ – Nikki, 56
‘I am older (59). I always wanted to travel but could not think of a way to do it. I spent my life in the military and was paid to travel. Now I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world with the armed forces and continue to explore with my pension and partner. Life is a short adventure and there’s a world to see. You’ll never regret travelling - it’s always been central to everything.’ – Pat, 59
‘Wants to be a chocolate taster. Failing that, I could make do with being a jacuzzi tester.’ – Ann, 66
‘I want to be a cheerful old man, instead of the current grumpy one.’ – Mike, 67
‘I’m going to be a peripatetic gardener. I’m going to go round living with all my four children in turn and do their gardening.’ – Jane, 68
‘I want to retire but do things like going to lectures, listen to talks by Professor Brian Cox, and make sure I set aside time each week to do my stitching and material dying to make pictures.’ – Sue, 73
‘A millionaire, then I could look after everyone in my family.’ – Alan, 75
‘I’d like to be better at crafting. I’d like to do more voluntary work because it’s good for you. I’d want to go to hospital and talk to patients who have no visitors.’ – Susan, 76
What will the future look like?
Generation Alpha are people born between 2013 and x, who will be paving the way for future generations. There’s an equal chance that in the rise of AI and new digital technology, many of the jobs that exist or are being dreamed of today will become endangered or extinct.
It’s exactly why research asking 11,452 young people aged 12 to 15 ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’ can provide us an exclusive insight into what that tech-centred future may look like.
Some of the most popular career ambitions for generation Alpha boys include:
- Scientists & Engineers – 30% of boys dream of pursuing a STEM-focused career, whether that be coding, inventing or software developing.
- Video game designers – Video games are a popular past time for many people, and the next generation of boys want to take charge in what they look like. 25% of boys dream of designing tech and video games.
- Professional athletes – 18% of boys dream of taking sports to the next level by becoming a professional athlete, potentially even participating in the 2028 Olympics.
Some of the most popular career ambitions for generation Alpha girls include:
- Artist – They may be a dancer, musician, painter or actor, but this wave of women is inspired by creative careers in the arts sector, with 21% of girls sharing that being an artist is their dream job.
- Doctor or Healthcare professional – 19% of girls hope to lead the medical fields and turn the world into a healthier and happier place.
- Scientists & Engineers – 17% of girls want to be writing the code and developing the technology to solve our digital problems in the future.
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