I recently picked up a copy of “Who Will I Be?” by Abby Huntsman.
As you know I’ve been limiting the number of books I buy this year, but this book just had to come home with me.
When I was a kid, I am pretty sure I always said “I’m going to be a vet!” when someone asked me the classic “what will you be when you grow up?” I just loved, and still love, animals.
In graduate school we had a motivational speaker talk to us about finding our passion. He had us take out a blank piece of paper and asked us to write down the first things that came to our mind when he asked us questions like, “What can you talk about for hours? What would you do and not get paid?”
Everyone wrote and wrote, but my paper was blank.
I’m 35 and I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. I stumbled into this job, and I love it, but I often feel inadequate at it. I still take career interest inventory tests and I still dream of opening a book store.
I was complaining about feeling so lost one day, when the person I was complaining to said “well no matter what you do, I’m sure it will involve helping people. All of your jobs have always been about helping.” I had honestly never even noticed that connection.
The main character in this book could be me- she just loves to help! So what will she be? A helper!
I love this book, because it tackles that dreaded question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” in such a thoughtful and sweet way. The characters explore different helping careers and in the end she knows that she “will be a helper.”
Activity ideas:
- Give students a “genre” of careers. For example, helper, teacher, creator, explorer, etc. Have them create a collage from old magazine, newspapers, etc. of all different careers/jobs under this genre.
- Snow ball fight with a career twist. Have students write down a interest, a skill, and a hobby they have. Then have them crumble up the snow balls and throw them around the room. When the snow ball fight is done, have students pick up the snowball closest to them and read it aloud. Then as a class brainstorm careers that would be suitable for that person. No names!
- Do the same thing, except have them come up with jobs from A-Z. Make it a team challenge. For example :
Helping Careers
A. Animal rescuer
B. Behavior Therapist
C. Charity Fundraiser
D. Drama Therapist
E. ER nurse
F. Firefighter
G. General practitioner
H. Human Resources
I. Interpretor
J. Janitor
K. Karate Teacher
L. Librarian
M. Midwife
N. Nurse
O. OBGYN
P. Police officer
Q. Quarterback
R. Raft guide
S. Social worker
T. Teacher
U. Urologist
V. Vet
W. Wedding planner
X. X Ray Tech
Y. Yoga teacher
Z. Zoo Veterinarian
Pawsitive School Counselor 