The other day I was talking with some friends about what alternate careers paths we might have pursued. You know, like: "If I had it to do all over again, and money/time/talent/experience/etc. was no object, I'd be a [insert secret professional desire here]". It was very interesting to hear the responses, and this got me thinking: what would you be doing if you weren't an academic? If you had your druthers, what career path would you currently be following?I should make clear that I don't think admitting to having a secret professional desire in any way betrays dissatisfaction with one's current career...after all, who among us hasn't dreamed of becoming a professional baseball star/flight attendant/Egyptologist/runway model? (All, by the way, careers to which I actually aspired at some point in my youth. Seriously.)
I'll go first:
If I had my druthers, I'd be a musical theatre star, having earned acclaim by originating the role of Maria Von Trapp in a much-heralded Broadway revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music. (Not that I've put much thought into this.)
OK, your turn. What's your secret professional desire?
12 comments:
I would be a famous R&B singer, but more India.Arie than Beyonce...
I'd own the only resort on a remote lake chock full of fish...
Fertilizer sales person. Just like in academia, my job would be all about shoveling fecal matter. The hours, however, would be shorter.
Sing it w/me, Dr. HnK...
"The hills are alive
with the smell of manuuuu-er."
gradmommy: Excellent! I am a big fan of India.Arie's music. You know, ShockProf loves to sing, too -- perhaps the three of us can ditch academia and form a girl group? We could call ourselves the "Ph.Divas"!!
Patch: Lake Wabasha, perhaps? With Pap as Max Goldman to your John Gustafson? "Moron!" "Putz!"
Cranks: Very funny. You sure do come by your nickname honestly! : )
In my dream world, I would be Dr HNK's husband...
Very funny, darling. Are you sure you wouldn't want to be a comedian??
In my dream world, I would be a professional beach volleyball player, or a professional snowboarder. Or, I would own a bed-and-breakfast on the North Carolina coastline, and make scrambled eggs for all sorts of random, fascinating people. Or, I would do all those things in different seasons of the year.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader - seriously.
On the offseason, I like Pap's idea of running a B&B on a coastline.
DALLAS?!?!?!?!?!?
It's like we don't know you anymore, Velma. What would the boys say if they knew?
Professional soccer player for Arsenal in the English Premier League and on the French national team.
Allez les Bleus!
Chiming in late, as usual...
I'd certainly join Dr. HNK on the stage. I'm envisioning Amanda as Glinda and me as (naturally) Elphaba, the "wicked" witch of the west. We're a natural Chenowith/Menzel pairing.
Or, I'd be a cantor--I'm practically halfway there anyway...
Yes! I'd totally be up for that, ShockProf. We are a natural Chenowith/Menzel pairing, with the need for only one slight modification: could I please be married to Taye Diggs in real life? ; ) (Just kidding, honey!)
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