P.M. Castle

Colorado Author

  • Facebook
  • About P.M. Castle
  • News of the Week
  • Novels
    • Small Town News
    • Delve Too Deep
  • Awards
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Uncategorized / What do you want to be when you grow up?

What do you want to be when you grow up?

October 26, 2020 by Phil Castle

Nearly everyone has been asked that question — usually starting in elementary school, if not sooner. Nearly everyone asks that question of themselves — sometimes regardless of age or the stage of their careers. Although there are probably exceptions, I suspect the answers almost always change.

As a kid who grew up in the midst of the space race in the 1960s, I wanted to become an astronaut. Who didn’t? Subsequently inspired by what I read about Isaac Newton and Marie Curie, I wanted to become a scientist and make important discoveries. Those of a certain age will remember the chemistry sets that used to come in metal boxes. I got one for Christmas. And a microscope, too.

Then I discovered something completely different. I took a part-time job in high school covering sports for my hometown newspaper and found out how much I enjoyed writing and reporting. I pursued computer science in college, but switched to journalism at the beginning of my sophomore year and fared considerably better — academically, thank goodness, but also personally.

Although I’m now past 60 years old, my vocational aspirations remain pliable. Every bit as pliable, I suppose, as my definition of what constitutes growing up. I’m still in love with journalism. But I still wonder what I’m going to be when I grow up. 

Fighter pilot is probably no more a realistic goal at this point than lion tamer. Mountain climber sounds exciting, but also dangerous and, even more daunting, like a whole bunch of work. Still other possibilities come to mind. Maybe dive master? Leading scuba diving excursions through warm and clear water to tropical coral reefs seems like an enjoyable way to spend the workday.

If nothing else, I remain determined to change at least one of my job titles — from aspiring novelist to published novelist.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

[grid content=”post” taxonomy=”category” terms=”current” exclude_current=”true” number=”12″ gutter=”10″ align=”center” slider=”true” center_mode=”true”]

Join my email list!

Recent Posts

To make a long story short, remain vigilant for mistakes

August 7, 2022

Listen up and engage like a journalist

June 16, 2022

I feel the need. The need for speed.

April 9, 2022

Can writing be hazardous to your health?

January 22, 2022

Copyright © 2023 · P.M. Castle · All Rights Reserved