After graduating college and then twenty years working with my husband in a family business, I decided to become a teacher. I certified in a number of subjects and worked about six years (funding ended for this position) before obtaining my Professional Certification. I was laid off from my first full-time job due to other teachers on continuing contract stepping in and taking my position.

Months later, I finally landed a job I loved where I worked with homeless middle school students on grades, motivation, and study skills. But then funding for my position ended, and again I'm without a job.

I now regret going into teaching in that I'm not cut out to be a classroom teacher trying to wrangle 30 plus kids into paying attention. So, there's not much left for me in the school system.

I want to try my hand at tutoring (have done it before), but as the only income in the household, it's hard to find a way to work and then start up something else all while still in debt.

How can I refocus after being beat down so many times?

I did not start dreaming of what I wanted to be until high school. Living on an American Indian reservation did not help inspire big dreams. I was taught to graduate high school and get a job, any job. I grew up with domestic violence and alcoholism. Personally, I was screaming inside for help.

When I was in middle school I really wanted to tell my school counselor what was happening, but he didn't listen well. I remember him talking to me about religion. As I progressed into high school, I needed help from my school counselor. She did not help me much nor was I aided in searching for available resources for scholarships. It was then I decided I would become a school counselor.

Of course, my life took a turn. In short, I joined the Navy as an Aviation Electrician's Mate. After my five year contract was up, I became an administrative assistant. Then I became a Real Estate agent. Then it was time to move again. Lastly, I became a nursing assistant. I have enjoyed every job I held. Yet, every time I was about to stabilize a career path, our family moved because my husband is still active duty - change of military orders.

Now I am in college. I am about to get my bachelor's degree, but again we are moving. How many road blocks must I face before I can obtain my goal or let alone, a job? The interactive career goal helped me to strengthen my motivation to become a family therapist or a school counselor. My end goal is to go home and provide therapeutic relief for those who are going through or who have gone through domestic violence, or really be there for students who just want to be heard.

I did not start dreaming of what I wanted to be until high school. Living on an American Indian reservation did not help inspire big dreams. I was taught to graduate high school and get a job, any job. I grew up with domestic violence and alcoholism. Personally, I was screaming inside for help.

When I was in middle school I really wanted to tell my school counselor what was happening, but he didn't listen well. I remember him talking to me about religion. As I progressed into high school, I needed help from my school counselor. She did not help me much nor was I aided in searching for available resources for scholarships. It was then I decided I would become a school counselor.

Of course, my life took a turn. In short, I joined the Navy as an Aviation Electrician's Mate. After my five year contract was up, I became an administrative assistant. Then I became a Real Estate agent. Then it was time to move again. Lastly, I became a nursing assistant. I have enjoyed every job I held. Yet, every time I was about to stabilize a career path, our family moved because my husband is still active duty - change of military orders.

Now I am in college. I am about to get my bachelor's degree, but again we are moving. How many road blocks must I face before I can obtain my goal or let alone, a job? The interactive career goal helped me to strengthen my motivation to become a family therapist or a school counselor. My end goal is to go home and provide therapeutic relief for those who are going through or who have gone through domestic violence, or really be there for students who just want to be heard.

When I was young I often dreamt of becoming a model but as I grew up I realized that that would not happen, it’s funny what we dream about as children. During high school I took a medical assistant class that I never finished because I got married and had a baby at 17. That was when I wanted to be a nurse; however, I never finished school and I ended up becoming a single mom at 19 with not enough time or education. It wasn’t until I met my current husband at the age of 25, that I started getting my life back in order. I obtained my G.E.D. the following year and started college a few years later. When I started college it was to become a pre-school teacher and later become a 2nd or 3rd grade teacher but the economy was not doing very well so I decided to work towards nursing. I was almost done with all my prerequisites for nursing and I kept leaning more towards psychology. Now I have obtained my A.S. in Social Science and currently working towards my Bachelors in Psychology, after I earn my Bachelors degree I plan on moving on towards my Masters and possibly further, only time will tell. When I took your career assessment the careers that overlapped were: drug counselor, child therapist, and victims advocate. Thank you for your test, it just reiterated my career path and goals. It has not been an easy road but I will get there, eventually.

JM 301
Using career tool my dream job is split between a counselor and a probation officer. Ironically, as a child I was influenced to become a psychologist after my brother died. The psychologist I had to see had these amazing smelly markers. I loved to go visit her because she made me feel better, but only after coloring with the smelly markers. She was the only person that made me feel better; at that point I wanted to be just like her.
However, at the moment I’m not sure if my passion is counseling or probation. I suppose either way I would be able to help people. I would like to earn a master’s degree, although I’m torn between going for a MSW and MFT. I appreciate structure and repetition, working in small groups, and being in motion. I hope that once I finish school, I will land my dream job. If I’m able to be a positive influence or role model in at least one person’s life I will feel accomplished.

When I was younger I always wanted to either help people in some way (preschool teacher, work in a hospital or retirement community, etc.) and as I grew older I wanted to be a professional ballet dancer. I am so thankful that my parents were supportive in letting me pursue dance and I was fortunate to have my "dream career" having been in professional ballet companies for seven years.

It is interesting to note that once I left the ballet world, I was in the same situation as everyone else in trying to find a new career path. Having been dancing from an early age, being in the midst of a career change can be a scary time and I am now fortunate to be in a great environment and am in a position to assist others.

I think your point that we need to keep our career dreams rooted in our current reality is so true. It is something I think about every now and then but should really focus on. Maybe taking a ballet class on the weekends or teaching a class would aid in keeping my dreams alive while maintaining my work/life balance.

Also, on a side note, the hamster is adorable!

Thanks for all of your insight, Michele

Hi Dr. Caligiuri,

When I think of my childhood dream, animals come directly into my mind. I desired to be a veterinarian. Up until I was ten years old, my whole life revolved around saving animals. I even interviewed the veterinarian over my animals when I was eight years old. However, my dream was cut short when my parents sent me to an allergy doctor; I was allergic to cats and dogs. I understood at ten years old that I could not work under the conditions of water itchy eyes as well as cold-like symptoms. My heart sunk.

Currently, I am twenty years old. I still have a passion for animals, but I do not work with them constantly as a veterinarian would. I volunteer at the animal shelter weekly. I do not stay too long because my allergies will start to act up. Nevertheless, my love for animals is allowed to be expressed to the ones in need of attention. The Brainstorm Your Ideal Career application that is posted on your blog produced volunteering at an animal shelter as my ideal career. “If so, you may have identified an ideal career you would find fulfilling” (Caligiuri). I guess I am fulfilling what I desire in life.

As you stated many young children are becoming aware that dreams are unreachable. Nevertheless, I will encourage my son to pursue any dream he wants to accomplish. Many goals are attainable, but children are not given the best environment to reach them all. In addition, I have learned through my own experience that even if a child believes he or she cannot obtain his or her dream, he or she can work around the obstacle in order to reach part of the goal.

Caligiuri, P. (n.d.). Brainstorm your ideal career. Retrieved from http://www.paulacaligiuri.com/career-tools/brainstorm-your-ideal-career

Growing up I have always had a passion for fashion. I have been told I have the eye, whatever that means. I wanted to become a famous fashion designer and dress all the celebrity's. I took a few sewing classes during high school and found out that the design aspect of fashion was just not for me, I couldnt sew if my life depended on it. Although I didn't take my sewing class too serious I was discouraged, how can you be a fashion designer and not know how to sew?. Still to this day I do no know how to sew, but the one thing I can do, and do well is dress. I have my own unique style or swagger is what I call it. If I could choose a dream job it would be a celebrity stylist. I think people should follow their dreams or what ever they are passionate about. When you are doing something that you like and passionate about it's not going to feel like your working a regular nine to five job. Before landing my dream job I want to finish up my college education so if I run out of style, I'll always have something to fall back on.

Wow, my ideal career? I can only remember wanting to be one thing when I was young, a psychologist. I had forgotten all about it until about 5 or so months ago.
I had gone back to school four years ago to be a dental hygenist. Some time later I changed my major to nursing, all the while still attending school. I actually fulfilled all my nursing requirements and requirements to be able to transfer to a university. About 6 months ago I changed my major again, to psychology and here I am, earning my Bachelor's in psychology. After I graduate I am hoping to apply to graduate school--maybe to be a psychologist, but, I would still have a lot more schooling.
After I took your career assessment it got me thinking about other roads I could take. I appreciate the assessment because it helped me open my mind some--I tend to get too focused and not see other "possibilities".
For now, this is the direction I am going in, but the possibilities are endless, even at my age.
This is a very informative website, thanks!

It wasn’t until I was an adult that my dreams suddenly became impossible. My parents always told me that I was going to be a lawyer and graduate from Harvard like my Aunt. It never happened that way. My husband and I started our family early. I was seventeen when my first son was born. My educational goals weren’t forgotten, but they certainly got put on the back burner. Choices I made then seem bittersweet now, but I am grateful to find myself where I am today.
I started off wanting to be a clown in preschool. Then a Girl Scout field trip quickly focused my career goals toward space. From there it went from astronaut, prima ballerina, teacher, and then lawyer, accountant, archeologist, anthropologist, novelist and finally psychiatrist. The latter of which, I only discovered an interest in when I began my college education. From those occupational goals, I can gather that I am a person who aims high. I focus in and develop deep passions for many things that I get involved with. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to have a variety of past interests as long as I can remain focused on the current goal. I want to say that Medical school is realistic even with a husband and three children, but sometimes I doubt myself. I suppose there is no better way to find out if I can do it, than to actually go for it.
Today, I find myself happily pursuing a career that I know is meant for me. The original statement by Dr. Caligiuri is so true. My past dreams give a lot of insight to who I am and what I am gifted at. I am grateful at twenty-eight to finally know the direction I want to go.

As a child my career dream was to become a nurse. I must've had some great experiences with kind nurses and thought that I could help out other people. At the age of 11 I went to the doctor with my aunt and her baby. My little beautiful cousin was getting a few shots in a quick visit to the doctor's office. When I witnessed that beautiful little girl scream bloody murder after the nurse injected her vaccine, I knew I could do it. My mind was totally made up at that moment.

Like every little girl's dream of her wedding day, my dream was to have a professional career. When high school was over I attended the community college in my town and it took me years to even settle down and decide on what career path I wanted to invest my time and money into. I have a great job and its very comfortable. I've recently choosen a psychology degree, although I do not see myself at this point being a therapist I enjoyed the classes I had taken so far. I still am uncertain to where this road will take me, but I know that with a background in psychology I can only succeed. By the way, I am 24 years old. I feel tremendous pressure to "get serious" about my career. The odd thing is, is that no one is putting this pressure on me except for myself.

I often used to envy those born with a professional calling I never had. I always wanted to do a million things and there wouldn't be enough years on this earth to study or work in all of them. I settled on interesting low hanging fruit and let the dreamier ones become interests and hobbies I dabble in from time to time, some more than others. It has lead to a life rich in varied experiences, one I'm not quite half way done with. I'm looking forward to the next adventure.

I can see by reader comments how helpful your post and advice are. Making a difference in the lives of others is a wonderful way to fulfill career goals. Cheers to your success!

I often used to envy those born with a professional calling I never had. I always wanted to do a million things and there wouldn't be enough years on this earth to study or work in all of them. I settled on interesting low hanging fruit and let the dreamier ones become interests and hobbies I dabble in from time to time, some more than others. It has lead to a life rich in varied experiences, one I'm not quite half way done with. I'm looking forward to the next adventure.

I can see by reader comments how helpful your post and advice are. Making a difference in the lives of others is a wonderful way to fulfill career goals. Cheers to your success!

I often used to envy those born with a professional calling I never had. I always wanted to do a million things and there wouldn't be enough years on this earth to study or work in all of them. I settled on interesting low hanging fruit and let the dreamier ones become interests and hobbies I dabble in from time to time, some more than others. It has lead to a life rich in varied experiences, one I'm not quite half way done with. I'm looking forward to the next adventure.

I can see by reader comments how helpful your post and advice are. Making a difference in the lives of others is a wonderful way to fulfill career goals. Cheers to your success!

As a child I dreamed of working with the environment; either as a Marine Biologist or having something to do with forestry. However, as I got older I got involved in some trouble, and I lost interest in anything to do with my future. As I overcame my obstacles my passion became helping others. I explored child development, drug and alcohol counseling, and becoming an MFT. Although these career paths were a part of the helping profession, they still didn't seem to fit me. While going to college, I landed an internship with the County Probation Department specifically working with juvenile offenders and their families. Once I started doing this job, I knew it was my passion. Being a Probation Officer is not glamorous, and it can be very overwhelming. There have been many time when I felt like a made the wrong decision in my career, but that is usually the result of having an emotionally challenging job that requires a great deal of accountability and responsibility. Although I sometimes day dream about what it would have been like if I went with another career choice, I have been working with juvenile probationers for almost 12 years and I know I am doing the right thing.

I used the career tool and although Probation Officer wasn't my dream job as a child, it is my dream job as an adult.

As a child I dreamed of working with the environment; either as a Marine Biologist or having something to do with forestry. However, as I got older I got involved in some trouble, and I lost interest in anything to do with my future. As I overcame my obstacles my passion became helping others. I explored child development, drug and alcohol counseling, and becoming an MFT. Although these career paths were a part of the helping profession, they still didn't seem to fit me. While going to college, I landed an internship with the County Probation Department specifically working with juvenile offenders and their families. Once I started doing this job, I knew it was my passion. Being a Probation Officer is not glamorous, and it can be very overwhelming. There have been many time when I felt like a made the wrong decision in my career, but that is usually the result of having an emotionally challenging job that requires a great deal of accountability and responsibility. Although I sometimes day dream about what it would have been like if I went with another career choice, I have been working with juvenile probationers for almost 12 years and I know I am doing the right thing.

I used the career tool and although Probation Officer wasn't my dream job as a child, it is my dream job as an adult.

I do believe that people stop dreaming and exploring their career options pretty early in life. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that life happens. A lot of us have kids and spouses and we get comfortable in what we're doing.

I'm one of those people. My career goal was to become an elementary school teacher. I began my schooling and in the process had my first child. I made it through community college and on to attend a state university. In my first year at state i had my second child. I had recently moved out of my parents' home and quickly realized that just going to school was not going to help pay the bills and buy my children what they needed. So I opted to qite school and found a job as a preschool teacher. I have been teaching preschool for over 10 years and I can honestly say that I hate it. Many of my co-workers tell me how good I am at handling the childen and tune into their needs. I beg to differ. Last year I finally decided to make the committment to go back to school and get my B.A. and find my dream job.

I do believe that people stop dreaming and exploring their career options pretty early in life. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that life happens. A lot of us have kids and spouses and we get comfortable in what we're doing.

I'm one of those people. My career goal was to become an elementary school teacher. I began my schooling and in the process had my first child. I made it through community college and on to attend a state university. In my first year at state i had my second child. I had recently moved out of my parents' home and quickly realized that just going to school was not going to help pay the bills and buy my children what they needed. So I opted to qite school and found a job as a preschool teacher. I have been teaching preschool for over 10 years and I can honestly say that I hate it. Many of my co-workers tell me how good I am at handling the childen and tune into their needs. I beg to differ. Last year I finally decided to make the committment to go back to school and get my B.A. and find my dream job.

Hello Paula. I can remember as a little boy loving animals. From this love, I started wanting to become an animal doctor. From there I wanted to become a police officer. All these dreams I wanted as a youngster. There are many paths to take to get to these careers as a youngster. It has taken me 10 long years to get to where I am at now. I am finally taking the needed time and investment in my career to make it happen. I can't wait to finally be my last dream a teacher. Investment for me is not only money but time. This sort of investment for me seams to be working. Not only after this experience do I want to teach but I would like to go even further and write beyond what others have written in certain fields such as philosophy. AH 301

I guess I didn't really answer the question in the post above. There were two times in my life that I would consider"watershed moments" The first was when I was run over in a hospital parking lot. After that, I quit the Post Office because I knew I hated the job. Later, after I had moved to a rural area, a fire tore through the area, so I tried to make sense of the devastation. I learned that I can only control my own actions so returned to school. I hope that in the future I can work with service animals for the disabled. I guess my little bit of insight is that life is too short and unpredictable to waste a moment in an unsatisfactory career.

I don't think I explained my moment of enlightenment in the previous post, so I will try now. My husband and I separated after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I was still working for the Post Office at that time. I went to the ER one night and was run over by a truck in the parking lot. At that point I began to review my life and my goals. My physical recovery took a long time, but my emotional recovery was still a challenge. I moved away from the city to try to recover my sensibilties. A short while later, a devastating fire tore through the area. Once again I felt lost. It was at that time that I decided to learn how to pursue my youthful goals of helping others and went back to school. I hope to work with service animals in the future. My brief insight is that life is too short and unpredictable to waste a moment in an unsatisfying career. However, it is never too late to change.

I think this is a real issue for women. Many have let go of their career dreams to raise a family. Yet, raising a family is such a short time in our career lives. Some women give up their education to raise their family. The good news is that it is never to late to pursue these dreams. Education can be a life long experience. It is never too late to re-invest in our dreams.

This conceding idea came to me around the age of 27. That is when I began studying addictions counseling in a UCLA certificate program. The thought of actually finishing my Bachelors was too scary but I realized I was not heading off to Paris to work the fashion runways nor was I interested in entertainment like everyone I knew in Los Angeles. I had also heard enough horror stories of pretty Los Angelian girls heading down a path to nowhere. It scared me so much so that I realized finishing my education was not optional. I knew I liked money and I did not want to worry about making rent! I also knew I wanted to work for myself eventually. But most of all I knew I was fascinated by people and all that make each of us so different yet somehow similar. My interest was to become a therapist. After all, I loved mine so much! It just seemed so far away. But, I had to start somewhere. So this little certificate program is where I began to concede my limitations and embrace my strengths. I felt completing this certificate would give me something to hang on the wall and remind that yes I can do this. It was the way I got my feet wet again. I had to see if I had what it takes to succeed in the world of academia. Soon, my grades came in and they were actually better than I expected. With my good grades I began to feel more confident and think that maybe I could give college another try. I had stopped years earlier when my mother was diagnosed with Stage four intraductal carcinoma spread to the lymph nodes. My mind took a long vacation from everything at that point! The good news is she is now 10 years in remission and I am graduating college this fall. With graduate school beginning in the spring and my current work in addiction research, I hardly feel now like I have conceded or yielded to anything. Rather this experience has forged a path of self reliance and confidence that brings me enormous happiness and encourages me to make new challenges for myself, like maybe writing in the future… JM301

Hi: I spent twenty-eight miserable years working for the USPS. I lived through the years when we all had to worry about our co-employees "going postal". The environment was detrimental to physical and emotional health. Now, I am attempting to pursue another career, the one I wanted to do all those years ago, but am running into roadblocks all the way. I decided to return to college and find new resources while gaining more knowledge. I think it is very hard these days to return to the workforce as a mature adult. Hopefully, my education will allow me to pursue my dreams.