When I grow up I want to be ...

By Amber Karnes

Have you ever noticed that as you grow up, your plans and hopes for the future change? When I was a little girl I wanted to be a chef. I dressed up as one on career day, I dreamed of having my own restaurant and I played by taking people's orders and then preparing their food.

Then as I began to get a little older I decided I didn't want to be a chef anymore. Instead I wanted to be a teacher. So I began preparing for my life as a teacher. I baby-sat and forced my children to learn even if they didn't want to. I sent home letters to the parents explaining what we did in "school" and told them of the upcoming events. I graded their papers and made lesson plans on what we were going to do.

Then after about two years of "teaching," once again I wanted another career change. I now wanted to be a physical therapist. My uncle is one and I went to work with him a few times to learn what I needed to know. After mastering the trade I returned and began treating my friends and family whenever they got hurt. I gave them stretches and strength-building exercises to practice until I could see them again.

Now I'm a senior in high school looking at colleges. All of a sudden it's hit me that I can't play around anymore. I need to make up my mind on what I want to be when I grow up. It scares me.

This is a decision that will affect the rest of my life. It's not playtime anymore and I can't just put up my toys and move on to another profession whenever I get bored.

Amber Karnes is a student at Notre Dame Regional High School.