Oh, neat! It never would’ve entered my mind to even consider such a possibility. Sounds really fun, though, sort of like a party planner/diplomat.
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I’m not trying to dump on anyone’s dreams, but I’m curious to know: for those of you who wanted to become an astronaut as a kid, is that still something you’d like to do knowing all that you know now about what that’s actually like?
Years ago on This American Life there was an episode where they spent time with an astronaut, asking about her job, and came to the realization that most astronauts spend very little time in space over the entire course of their careers and many never get to go at all. That was especially true back around 2000 when NASA had about 150 “active” astronauts on their roster. And there’s apparently lots of tedious paperwork as part of the job.
Here’s part of what they said in that show:
Of course there have been some changes in recent years and space is getting more accessible. But even if I had the option to go, personally I’m not sure if I’d want to spend more than a day or two up there. That A Year in Space documentary that followed Scott Kelly’s mission didn’t exactly make it look glamorous or exciting. Even those first tourists that went up in a SpaceX capsule for a few days quickly got bored and spent time watching movies like Spaceballs instead of maintaining a constant state of awe and wonderment.
Obviously for some people the job is still worth it though.
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Bet no one cops to ever having wanted to be a police officer.
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Or owns up to wanting to be a landlord.
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I think so. I was fascinated with all things space and science as well so I think I would have enjoyed just being on the periphery, even working on satellites or rockets would be pretty cool.
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All puns aside, I did 
I interviewed an astronaut who had been to space once. She made being in space sound like the coolest thing ever. I could almost hear her smiling while she talked about it. I’m sure there are aspects that aren’t ideal, like waiting 10 years to go back, but I can imagine it’s worth it for the chance to get up there. I’m actually fairly certain that was when I decided I wanted to go to space at least once in my life. It’ll probably never happen, but a guy can dream.
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My parents discouraged my artist ambitions just enough to turn me into a graphic designer.
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Sure, ruin a perfectly good joke with reality…
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I’ve actually had several semi-serious conversations over the years about whether I never achieved my dreams of being a narrative artists because my parents were _too_supportive. They really were just happy with anything I showed them, and acted like I’d become successful no matter what. My only drive has ever come from my own frustration when I can’t render something from my imaginations to my own satisfaction.
To be fair I also inherited my dad’s post-depression-era anxiety about the lower rungs of Maslow’s hierarchy that he inherited from his depression-era Kansan mother. For him, this was flavored with with his self-flagellation built from constant dis-approval from a military father who was pretty sure painting was “for girls.”
I ended up in a job I’m generally pleased with, as far as jobs go, It’s creative enough but not arts-related in a direct way. It is stable and keeps food on the table.
Marrying a woman who became a professional cellist at age 12 mostly through sheer pressure (with grit and raw talent) is an interesting perspective to have on the life of dream-pursuit. My endlessly creative and productive daughters have pushed me to fill more sketchbooks in the past few years and my wife’s critical eye and awareness of what it takes to meet your goals have actually encouraged me more than anything.
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Star Wars came out when I was seven and from the moment I saw that scene in Luke’s garage, I knew I wanted to build robots. I spent a lot of the next few months trying to make robots out of the materials I had available, mainly cardboard, popsicle sticks and rubber bands. There may have been an incident with my dad’s airbrush. A few years later, I started messing around with motors and electricity. I never made anything useful, but I managed to not electrocute myself or burn the house down.
When the time came, I completely missed the on-ramp for a robotics career (programming too, another childhood fascination) and went to art school. On the other side of that, climbing a mountain of debt and having missed the exit into the art world, I landed a job programming PLCs with a guy who built custom clean room automation for medical device manufacturers. Maybe two years in, sitting and watching a machine I’d designed, built, and programmed go through its paces, I realized I’d achieved my childhood dream after all.
And now, 20 years later, I’m trying to unpick some of my engineering habits some of the time so I can make art again. Plus ça change, I guess.
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I would definitely jump at the chance. I’m no stranger to paperwork and testing required for human spaceflight systems. We joke that the rocket can’t launch until the paperwork weighs more than the rocket. I wouldn’t mind being on the top of that rocket.
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Except this guy, maybe…
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A clown, a firefighter, and a DJ.
I actually did go to Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts. I had an audition tape and even had interviews but alcohol did me in.
After I got sober I met a man that owned a janatorial supply business, we became friends, he said if I ever needed a job he’d set me up a sales route. I gave it a go but I ain’t no salesman.
One day one of my customers needed something cleaned, I wasn’t doing anything else so why not.
It’s been more than 30 years and that customers is still my biggest customer and a good friend.
Not what I would have chosen 30 years ago but I don’t have a single regret.
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I read ‘Have Space Suit, Will Travel’. It was all over for me.
That was IT. Then, it was 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
In college, I realized I didn’t know what I wanted to do for a career.
For fun, I created a TV remote mute switch and modified hi-fi equipment, etc. I ended up on the US nuclear submarine, Nautilus for a while. Then went on to be a computer hardware and software engineer.
No complaints.
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