I’ve been tagged by Brett at The Cranking Widgets Blog (for some of the education folks who haven’t yet explored "Getting Things Done," Brett’s blog is a great starting point!) with the "What do you want to be when you grow up?" meme.

As an educator, I actually found this to be a relevant and refreshing opportunity for some introspection. Personally, for the guy who changed majors 917 times, it was hard to pin down exactly what I wanted to be at any given point in my life, but here goes…

As a kid
I wanted to be an architect (you know – like Art Vandelay). My grandfather was a general contractor and I always thought it would be so cool to design and oversee the construction of houses and buildings.

As a teenager
I was a band geek (see, I can say that because I was one…) from middle school through college. So when I was in high school I had two career goals: One was to be a civil engineer, the other was to become a composer as well as be the conductor of a major symphony orchestra.

Now
After spending some time in the classroom, some time in the private sector, and some more time in the classroom, I’m now the assistant principal at Greeley West High School in Greeley, Colorado. It’s a great job. I get to work with kids but I also have some influence over an entire school. I guess it boils down to being able to help other people determine what they want to be when they grow up…

I’m also a husband to Lorraine and a father to Scott James (almost 3) and Elizabeth (almost 1 month).

Later
I would like to become a building principal and – eventually – a college professor.

Alternative
Here’s where I get into trouble. I’m one of those people who is interested in everything and could become a career student. Things I’ve wanted to be on and off – and still wouldn’t mind doing…

• Becoming a pediatrician or family practice doctor
  
• Becoming a lawyer and (eventually) a judge in the juvenile justice system
• Becoming an architect
• Becoming a general contractor
  

That was fun. I do think it’s funny that the overarching theme here is that the guy who could never (can never?) pin down exactly what he wanted (wants?) to do with his life is now in a position to help others make those decisions.