If I Were Not a Freelance Writer, I’d…
August 17th, 2010 by Michael Kwan
And so, I started to think what sort of job I would be holding if I did not choose to embark on this freelance writing journey. Looking back, I think there were at least three major possible paths that I could have taken instead. Whether any of these would have been a brighter idea is anyone’s guess.
Option #1: Architect
As a child, I was almost certain that I was going to grow up to be an architect. I was fascinated by blueprints and I thought it was amazing how they could construct such monumental structures. The artistic expression of architecture had its appeal as well.
It certainly helped that I really enjoyed sketching things and I was pretty good at math. In high school, I took some drafting courses to learn about the actual practices, standards, and software. In the end, I opted against this career choice for a number of reasons, including some of the requirements to get into a school of architecture.
Option #2: Comic Strip Artist
This career option may have been even less conventional than my current choice to be a freelance writer, but it was certainly an attractive option. I’ve never been really big into comic books, but I’ve always enjoyed comic strips.
From Calvin and Hobbes to The Far Side, the Sunday funnies captivated my interest for years. I thought I could be the next Bill Watterson or Gary Larson, again leaning back to my inclinations to sketch (as per above). Unfortunately, I found my humor writing skills to be lacking; I’m much better suited, it seems, for non-fiction, blogging, product reviews, editorials, and the like.
Option #3: Psychologist
If you’ve been following this blog for a while, then you may already know that I majored in my worst subject in school. I graduated with a psychology degree from the University of British Columbia (with a minor in English Literature).
Along the way, I considered several possible career paths within the realm of psychology. I thought about being a clinical psychologist, helping people overcome some of their issues. I thought about being a forensic psychologist, working through the complexities of the criminal mind. I thought about abnormal psychology, studying conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder.
As much as I enjoy learning, I couldn’t convince myself to fight all the way through a master’s degree and a PhD. The delayed gratification would have been grueling. Even then, I wasn’t sure if I wanted a career in academia at all.
Life Is Filled with What Ifs
And so, I somehow ended up with this career as a professional gadget geek freelance writer (and published author). I have no regrets, but it is an interesting thought experiment to consider what could have been.
With that, I turn to you. If you did not have the job that you currently have, what career do you think you would have otherwise pursued? Do you think you’d be more or less successful at this alternative occupation?
Tags: career, education, job satisfaction
Filed under Personal Development.
If I had not chosen what I’m doing now, which is launch my own fashion collection, I probably would’ve become either a writer or a lawyer. Or maybe an engineer or something to do with computers and technology.
I just never really considered writing to be a career choice – to me, it was in the same category as being an artist. I opted for fashion design, much more practical, right?
But I still get to write lots doing what I do now!
When I was in school, I always thought of being someone in terms of career. But only later (thanks god!) I realized that I am a woman too. Sounds crazy – I didn’t think about myself in terms of being a woman.
Now I am happy that I got my chance to recall that first of all I am a woman and need to fulfill myself as a woman first!
Being in the educational technology field was not on the list of things I was going to do as I grew up. I wanted to be as far away from education as I could.
My thoughts and passions that I wanted to be or could still be were:
1. Chef
2. Restaurant Manager
3. Systems Analyst
4. Computer Programmer
5. Martial Arts Instructor
You can still pursue some of those to an extent. #3 and #4 are probably an easier sidestep compared to the others though. Maybe you should audition for next season’s Master Chef with Gordon Ramsay.
Actually the Martial Arts would be the easiest to do because I have been a Black Belt in Shuri Ryu Okinawan Karate for 10 years. I’ve taught both adults and children, including having a kids 5-16yrs class at both the Jewish Community Center and the YMCA and teaching a private Women’s Self Defense Course.
I do have experience in everything that I listed. I actually hold a degree in Hamburgerology from McDonalds Corp. The degree is for passing the Advanced Operations Course at Oak Brook Ill. I managed McDonalds until I was 30 years old. I also ran 2 different full service restaurants before moving into the technology field.
I guess I’ve done a lot of different things that I like, but I really enjoy what I do now.
You were fascinated by blueprints as a child? Get out of here! You can’t be serious. Are you?
Why would being a Comic Strip Artist be a career option for you? That’s interesting.
As a young child, I wanted to be a pilot, and as I grew up, becoming a journalist and an outdoor adventure guide/instructor did cross my mind at one time or another.
Nope, no joke. I studied a few and then tried to create my own for a future mansion dream home. Heh. This was at the age of, oh, maybe 10 or so.
Hmmmm….what was I doing at the age of 10?
Let me see….probably playing marbles, fishing in monsoon drains and catching spiders in the wild to fight with the neighborhood kids’ spiders!
My grandpa used to help me catch houseflies and we’d put them in empty medicine bottles, trying to put multiple inside the same bottle. Good times.