Nationwide: What did you want to be when you were a kid?

We've all been there, a tiny child, watching the big grown-ups running around getting ready for work, thinking you can't wait until you're that big and have a job. The big wide world is a wonderful thing through a child's eyes, full of opportunities and exciting adventures, just waiting to be explored. Wouldn't it be nice if we could see the world like that again… well what's stopping you?

We're sure you can remember bumbling through childhood, flitting from one dream to another, one week you might be dressed like a cowboy, positive you would own your own ranch, whereas the next week you would be making cardboard swords ready for your career at King Arthur's round table. We've taken a look back at all those childhood aspirations that you might just remember dreaming about.

Astronaut

Space! How could any child look up at the starry night sky and not want to go there. The idea of space is hard for most adults to comprehend, never mind kids, and so to them the possibilities were endless. All you needed was a cardboard rocket and a toilet roll space suit and you're ready to explore the unknown.

A Star

Whether it was singing, acting, or dancing, we all looked at the stars on the screen and thought "I could do that." This was usually followed by a practiced dance routine and rocking out on the air guitar in your granny's living room to an audience of aunties and uncles. Everyone knew that wouldn't work out.

Athlete

How much fun can you have running around? To 5 year old you, the answer was a lot! So imagine getting paid to run around and play games with your friends, sounds like heaven. Unfortunately the reality was if you had zero hand eye coordination and two left feet, you may have to find a new goal.

Teacher

A teacher is one of the job kids come into the most contact with, so it's no wonder a lot of them aspired to be just like their educators. In their minds, what could be better than getting to hang out with awesome little kids all day?

Police officer

Fighting bad guys and saving the day! A police officer must have sounded like the best job ever to 5 year old you. It's basically another name for hero and what kid doesn't want to be a super hero?

Lawyer

Adults today see lawyers in a bad light, but try looking through a child's eyes. To a kid a lawyer fights for the little guy, they stand up for people and help those in need. Plus they get to shout at people and not get told off by mum!

As you get older you discover that there are so many sections and specialist areas in the working world, and these huge, umbrella job roles aren't really what you want to do at all. Finding your specific place in the world can be a wonderful thing, doing the work that you are great at and with awesome likeminded people.

Do any of these dreams sound familiar? What did you want to be as a kid? Comment below or get in touch with us on Facebook or Twitter!

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