There’s a question just about all of us were asked as kids: What do you want to be when you grow up?

When I was young, I knew exactly what I wanted to be—until it all changed a few weeks later. I’m pretty sure my answers included teacher, doctor, veterinarian and rock star. Never mind that I had little to no musical talent. 

For some people, a childhood dream turns into a college major, then a career doing exactly what they always imagined. For others, life does a complete 180.

I think about a friend from college. We were both journalism majors, working on the student newspaper. He was one of the lead editors and, after college, freelanced for the local daily paper before moving around the country to work for other publications. He was smart, driven, personable and a great reporter. Everything about his path pointed toward a promising career in media.

We lost touch after college, but like many friendships these days, we stayed connected on social media. Years later, I noticed he was going back to school and working toward his CPA license. Today, he’s an accountant.

I’ll admit, I was surprised. Not because there’s anything wrong with accounting—although I still shudder when I think about the four-week accounting class I took one summer in college—but because it felt so far removed from the direction he was headed. Not to mention, communications students tend to have a complicated relationship with numbers. I still remember a professor writing what he called a “simple” math problem on the board. A room full of communications students stared back in silence until someone finally reached for a calculator.

And yet, there my friend was, building a career in a field I would have avoided at all costs.

But who’s to say he won’t someday return to his journalism roots? Those early dreams do not always disappear.

In this month’s cover story, we feature senior volunteers at the Pueblo Zoo, where retirement has opened the door for some to reconnect with a lifelong love of animals, teach others or put their skills to use in a new way. And fortunately, in communities like ours, there is no shortage of meaningful ways to put those dreams to work.

That same theme carries into another story in this month’s issue. Writer and published author Colleen M. Story reflects on the many people who say they have always wanted to write a book and encourages readers to consider whether now might finally be the time to start.

WEB EXCLUSIVE

In last month’s column, I promised a follow-up on Broncos super fans Kevin and Sue Nunn. You can now read their web-exclusive Super Bowl story at
BeaconSenior News.com/super bowl-fans

Want more content like this, plus contest giveaways and other extras? Sign up for our emails at BeaconSeniorNews.com/csp-emails.