10 Students Answer 'What is Your Dream Job?'

When you were younger, your childhood dream job might have consisted of becoming an astronaut, cowboy, or princess. Now, however, your ideal career might look a little different. When you imagine what your life looks like ten years into the future, you might picture yourself leading a successful tech company, saving lives as a doctor, or hosting your own cooking show. Whatever career you decide to pursue, remember that you probably won’t achieve your dream job overnight. Use this dream job list from 10 U.S. students as inspiration for your own career dreams. 

1. Teaching the next generation of students

In middle or high school, you may have had a favorite subject. While it could have been because you liked the classroom or time of day the class was offered, it was most likely due to the teacher. A student from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse shares her goal to become a teacher who makes a meaningful impact on her students’ lives:

“When I imagine my life ten years into the future, I imagine walking around my own classroom with colorful posters, cute furniture, and children laughing and playing all around me. My dream is to be a successful first grade teacher who makes a wonderful impact on the students around me. I want to wake up early every morning with a positive attitude and excited mentality surrounding my day. I believe this career path will give me exactly the fulfillment and joy that I want to pursue throughout my life. I’m extremely passionate about this because I love children, as well as being someone that the youth can trust.”

Justine S. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

2. Helping others achieve their financial goals

Just like setting and achieving career goals, it’s wise to create long-term goals for your money. Sometimes, starting this process can be overwhelming, or you may feel like you don’t have enough time to dedicate to your finances. However, having guidance can make important financial decisions feel more manageable. Aiden, a UNL student, shares his dream career to serve others as a financial advisor:

“As I open my eyes, get out of bed, and open my curtains, I see kids playing in the yards, people strolling the block, and others driving, they all have smiles and look as if they’re making their life well spent. In a world where life is short and finances can be unpredictable, a lot of people don’t have enough time to learn how to invest or become financially literate. My lifelong goal has always been to become a financial advisor to help guide people through that process. By creating strategic financial plans to guide them through life and manage their investments, I hope to have a hand in fulfilling my duties to help them grow their wealth over time to help them achieve their financial aspirations.”

Aiden Z. University of Nebraska-Lincoln

3. Sparking creativity and imagination through writing

For some people, reading a good book can transport them into another world or time period, especially when the book is fiction or fantasy. While some readers simply enjoy learning from or relating to the characters, others may be inspired to write a novel of their own someday. Shea, a student at Pace University, shares her goal to pursue a dual career path of both writing and publishing books:

“I don’t think I’ll ever be satisfied as only an author or only a publisher; I see both in my future. I want a direct hand in bringing fantastical stories to curious readers of all ages, inspiring others the way I’ve been inspired by the impossible. This past fall, I began the M.S. in Publishing program online with Pace University, paying my own way while working full-time for Killington Ski Resort in my home state of Vermont…Pace’s publishing program runs a literary journal called the Pub Lab. I submitted a few short stories I wrote last year, and both were selected! My student editor especially loved a story I wrote about a dragon who rescues a little boy in the woods. With her encouragement, I’m now working on developing that story into a full-length novel.”

Shea D. Pace University

4. Uncovering history in an engaging way

Many people enjoy delving into science or history. While studying these subjects can be interesting, engaging in labs or fieldwork can enhance your interest even more. Evanthia, a student at Leiden University, is dedicated to sharing her enthusiasm for history by creating educational resources for children:

“I see myself as an accredited archaeologist (a doctorate-holding, dirt-digging, artifact-unearthing one!) who answers and creates new questions about our human past and how it informs our present. Day to day, I see myself working with a team of writers, actors, and producers to create an archaeology TV show for children. As a deeply artistic person, I hope that I can contribute a character design or a snappy pun here and there. But my calling truly lies in science communications: meeting children from around the world, going into classrooms to present science, history, and heritage in a fun and engaging way.”

Evanthia V. Leiden University

5. Making a difference in local communities

Every person has different interests and a unique skill set. When you’re able to find a job that utilizes your strengths, like having an active role in your local government, you’ll have no shortage of great job opportunities throughout your professional journey. A Saginaw Valley State University student shares his dream to give back to his hometown:

“Ten years from now, I hope to be serving as an elected member of my hometown’s Board of Trustees, our local government. As someone that has lived in the town of Lake Orion for my entire life, I’ve come to value what my community has to offer, and it would be very meaningful for me to be able to give back by expanding on what makes it so great. I also thoroughly enjoy the political process, so to be able to serve as an elected official on any level would certainly be a dream come true…My plan to make this dream into reality has a few major components, including completing my college education, gaining political experience, making connections in my community, and running for office.”

Noah J. Saginaw Valley State University

6. Caring for animals around the globe

While caring for your own pet may come naturally, there are people who hold a deep love for all animals. These individuals are passionate about looking after both wild and domestic animals, even if it means traveling to care for them. A student from Carroll College reveals her dream job title–an international wildlife veterinarian:

“Ten years from now, the first thing I want to see in the morning is the view of the sunrise across the plains of Kruger National Park in South Africa. Once I’m ready for the day, I will gather my supplies and head to work where my team and I will be picked up by a helicopter and transported to the other side of the park. We will dart a sick female African elephant and perform a full physical assessment to determine the cause of her illness. Back in the lab, I will run tests on the samples we took and consult my textbooks from school. The results will come back and confirm my diagnosis; this elephant has orthopoxvirus bovis, or elephant pox. I will start immediate and intense treatment in the morning. For the past several years, it has been my dream to become an international wildlife veterinarian…For as long as I can remember, I’ve had this drive to make this world a better place, and I believe that my contribution to this endeavor is to care for the animals that call this planet home.”

Olivia B. Carroll College

7. Coaching a dream team to victory

If you have experienced being a part of a successful team in academics, sports, arts, or any other field, you know the amazing sense of accomplishment it brings. When every team member works together effectively, it leads to synergy– a result greater than the sum of individual efforts. Jack, a student at Swarthmore College, reveals his plan to share that victorious feeling with his students, but this time, in his dream career as coach:

“It's fourth down with time expiring in the high school championship football game, where legends are made. The quarterback drops back to pass, looks right, ducks under a lineman, and heaves it down the field. The pigskin moves in slow motion as it spirals in a perfect parabola towards the receiver. Suddenly, time goes back to normal, and the ball drops right into the breadbasket in the endzone. The students storm the field, carrying the quarterback off the gridiron. My dream isn't to be the quarterback, the receiver, or anyone on the field; I dream of being a math teacher and the head coach of a high school football team… My dream may not be that glamorous, but when the quarterback drops back to pass the way I taught him, makes the perfect throw after hours of working together, and the students that are in my calculus class storm the field with huge grins on their faces, I know I'll be happy.”

Jack R. Swarthmore College

8. Nursing others to health on the road

You probably have several hobbies or interests that bring you joy. If your ideal job combines two or more of these passions, it could lead to a better work-life balance. A Rogue Community College student describes how her future job will allow her to explore the world while caring for the people in it:

“In ten years, when all my hard work and schooling has paid off, I see myself with my dream career as a traveling nurse. Helping others is something I’ve been passionate about my whole life…This occupation would be very gratifying, with the opportunity to impact people’s lives in a good way. Traveling the world has also been an interest of mine because I’ve lived in the same small town forever. As a traveling nurse I can see myself traveling to different places in the world for short periods of time where there are shortages of nurses. Not only would I be seeing new places regularly, but I would be ensuring patients in various places are getting the care they need to stay healthy.”

Dakota G. Rogue Community College

9. Ensuring equality and representation

There are many laws and regulations that exist to ensure our safety and well-being. Some individuals enforce these laws, some interpret them, and others utilize them to advocate for those in need. Khouri, a University of Redlands student, will use her compassionate heart and  attention to detail to interpret the law as fairly as possible:

“When I imagine myself ten years from now, I see myself as a successful attorney with a stable job at a law firm with excellent co-workers who have steadfast moral compasses…I have always been drawn to law and the legal field because it is one of the few surefire ways to ensure equality and representation. When I think of equality and representation, I think of my grandparents marching so that they could vote and have their opinions represented in the government. I think of my mom and her struggles with unfair hiring practices and being passed over for promotions, despite the fact that she is more than qualified, because she did not fit the “look of the organization”...But, I also think about the change that cases were able to make in the world and the rights they secured. If not for the laws, bills, and amendments put into place after various protests and marches, I would not be as free as I am now. The law has the potential to change everyone’s lives for the better, and I would do anything to be able to take an active role in law and help make a better future."

Khouri E. University of Redlands

10. Developing the digital future

Many positions in the computer science and technological industries did not exist ten years ago. Yet, new roles are consistently surfacing, like the opportunity to develop and explore different virtual realms. Niyant from California State University, Sacramento, reveals how his childhood hobby ended up as his career aspiration:

“My free time after elementary school was often spent messing around on my family's outdated Gateway computer that still ran Windows XP in 2008 and made noise like the modern-day car engine. While obsolete today, this machine led to my interest in computers and programming, and I was able to learn basic programming just from messing around on my family's computer in my free time. While I enjoyed my time doing this, I had no idea I could potentially build a career off what I enjoyed doing and the possibility of having that inspired me at a young age. The idea of creating digital worlds that people could travel to and enjoy entranced me and I wanted to help create that experience for others…While software development is a skill-based career, I am also passionate about the logic of computers, programming, and mathematics. This is what led me to the conclusion of pursuing a degree in computer science since it would make me a well-rounded developer and expose me to different areas of the tech industry that I have not experienced yet.”

Niyant N. California State University, Sacramento

After exploring this list of dream jobs, you might have a better idea of the specific job you want to do after college. Whether it's a part-time or full-time opportunity, discovering a role with a potential employer whose company culture aligns with your values can enhance your experience. 

So… Where do you see yourself in ten years? More than just a common job interview question, thinking about your future can guide you in taking the necessary steps today. While it may be tempting to focus on prestigious or high-paying jobs, the “best job” is the one that ignites your passion and enthusiasm. Good luck on the search for your dream job!