What’s your dream job?
Bloganuary – Daily Prompt
Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL
Your dream job changes with you. At least for me, that is how I’m currently pondering the answer to today’s daily prompt. I didn’t necessarily have a dream job when I was growing up. It wasn’t until late in high school that I could have answered this question. That young kid would have said “to work for NASA.”
NASA
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/250s, 16mm, f/11, ISO 200
Rocket Garden
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/500s, 112mm, f/11, ISO 200
Atlantis
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/25s, 12mm, f/4, ISO 800
My fascination with model rockets and everything space related is what focused me on college. I received my BS in Aerospace Engineering and then reality hit when I struggled to get a job. I stayed in college and worked toward an MS in Mechanical Engineering. My first job wasn’t with NASA but it was in the aerospace industry. I worked at a company manufacturing turbine blades for aircraft engines.
Through my experiences in manufacturing and the growth of computers, I suppose my next “dream job” would have been in application programming. I enjoyed creating applications and/or systems that benefited the manufacturing process. Put me in front of a computer, give me an idea to run with and step back. I loved creating everything needed to improve a process or make someone’s job easier/better.
I still do, although I don’t get many opportunities to create those types of systems any more.
When my love for Disney was rekindled in the early 2000’s I might have answered to be an Imagineer. That is a term coined within the Walt Disney company for their creative employees. It is created from “Imagine” + “Engineer”. Back then I didn’t think of myself as a creative person so I never attempted to pursue that path.
Recently at work I was having a discussion with my manager and our immediate manager. We were discussing how to handle the work distribution especially in light of now being able to fill a couple open positions. I was asked what I wanted to be when I grow up. The response I blurted out, without any thought, was “useful”.
I don’t believe that counts as a dream job but it really has me thinking lately. What is me current dream job?
I want to be part of the solution. I want to contribute, beyond performing day to day tasks. And thinking back to an earlier prompt about my mission, I want to help the young engineers grow.
I suppose now that I have said it out loud I need to get off my butt.
Damn. Some days I enjoy being lazy… :)
MLCreations Photography 
Cool pics at the space center. I’ve only been there once, as a child when my dad wanted to go, and I remember not being super appreciative of what I was seeing, though for my parents it must have been pretty awesome since they were teenagers during the “race to space” of the 60’s. I think now as an adult I’d appreciate it more and I’d like to go back some time. Dream job. I think I’ve always wanted to make a difference. I hope that I am as a teacher, but this job is not the dream I thought it would be back when I decided that’s what I wanted to be!
Thanks Karma. My first trip to KSC was in ’73. I have spotty memories at best of that visit. I went back a few years ago and loved it. I try to go at least once a year.
I wouldn’t say my current job is a dream job but recently have realized what aspects I like and focus on those.
you’re allowed to be lazy some days!
I hope you find that dream job helping young engineers. when I was a trainer I loved it.
Thanks Dawn. Oh, I do a good job at being lazy most days. Right now at work I’m having a good time working with the young engineers. I wouldn’t call me a trainer though… 😊
Very cool images. Have you been to NASA Wallops in Virginia? It’s where we go to watch the rocket launches. They have a pretty interesting Visitors Center there, too. I think you’re right about dream jobs changing with time. Being useful is something I’d like to be, too, but didn’t think of it when I wrote up my post.
Thanks Robin. I have not been to Wallops Island. I did not know you could visit. When I was building model rockets as a kid I created one similar to the sounding rockets that were launched there in the early days.
As a kid, I wanted to be an astronaut when I grew up, but wasn’t quite smart enough…or just didn’t try hard enough in school (darn teenage girls with boys on the brain).Did enjoy Cape Canaveral in Florida, and NASA in Houston.
Oh, NASA in Houston would be cool to visit. Another location on my wish list is Huntsville, AL and the US Space & Rocket Center.