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As the date of graduation rapidly approaches, many seniors anxiously look to the future and what it has in store for them. In order to properly celebrate the seniors’ future career aspirations for the Senior Issue, XPress asked seniors about their dream jobs from childhood in comparison to their current dream jobs. Many grow up with unique dream jobs during childhood and they may or may not be pursuing them after graduation. While some seniors are fully confident in their educational and career endeavors for the future, some may begin their college career undecided. However, one thing is certain: XPress cannot wait to watch them thrive in the future…whether it is in the career they dreamt of at eight years old or eighteen!

Addison Allen:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

As a child, I wanted to be a famous singer, obviously so I could bless the world with my incredible voice at five-years-old.

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

I plan to become a lawyer, greatly due to my grandma pointing out that I could make a career out of my passion for arguing.

Alexa Garcia:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

A cardiovascular surgeon because of “Grey’s Anatomy.”

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

Pediatrician because I love kids.

• Did Xavier or any extracurricular help inspire your new dream job? How so?

Anatomy class made me realize I couldn’t be a surgeon.

Alexandra Kauffman:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

I wanted to be a scientist. I held the strong conviction that I [would] be the first person to invent time travel.

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

Script writer. I love telling stories.

• Did Xavier or any extracurricular help inspire your new dream job? How so?

Brophy Comedy Club and Write Life (yes write is spelled like that)

Alexis Galvez:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

My dream job used to be a fashion designer. I thought of this because I was obsessed with drawing all sorts of new types of clothing on models.

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

​​I wish to be a lawyer or to do business marketing specifically for publishing books. I thought about being a lawyer because I thought it was interesting– the types of cases that lawyers handle. I thought of business marketing specifically for book publishing because it would allow me to be creative.

Ali Harris:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

My dream job as a child was to be a doctor because I was inspired by the other doctors in my family.

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

My current dream job is a nurse so I can help people and be able to spend time with patients.

Bailee Gardner:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

I really wanted to be Avril Lavigne’s manager. I thought and still do think she is the coolest person to exist.

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

I have taken the more realistic approach of being a chemical engineer. Well, we all know about the conspiracy, and I do not work for doppelgängers.

Caroline Wilmer:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

I always wanted to be a YouTuber and I was always jealous of all the YouTubers I watched. They just got to make funny videos and they could get famous from it. I also just really wanted the play button YouTube gives out when you reach a milestone.

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

Right now a dream job of mine is being a roadie for a band. Like you get to travel the country and get free concerts– sign me up. But unfortunately I’m not friends with any bands so I’ll have to put that on hold, and right now I’m going down the teacher route by majoring in education.

Corinne Cordell:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

Teacher. I loved school as a child and wanted to continue my time in school being a teacher. I liked being in charge of people and was very organized.

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

Athletic trainer and sports psychologist

• Did Xavier or any extracurricular help inspire your new dream job? How so?

Sports medicine class

Daniela Rivera:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

I wanted to be a hippie drama teacher like Mr Sikowitz from “Victorious” because I liked his hippie van.

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

I started my own jewelry business over quarantine and it has now grown bigger than I imagined – so now I’m going to major in entrepreneurial business in an effort to make my business big!!

• Did Xavier or any extracurricular help inspire your new dream job? How so?

​​Mrs. Kubly’s jewelry class has definitely helped me learn some new techniques that will benefit my business in the long run. I was able to 3D-print some pendants in Ms. Peinado’s class as well, so I couldn’t have done it without my teachers’ help !!

Destiny De La O:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

An actress or choreographer because I grew up doing dance and theatre.

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

Doing research as a neuropsychologist/psychopharmacologist because I’m very passionate about psychology and want to help find better solutions to mental health issues and I have a desire to help people too.

• Did Xavier or any extracurricular help inspire your new dream job? How so?

Umm, I guess XCP just made my dreams a reality so to speak.

Elena Titus:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

My dream job as a child was to be an actor because I admired and looked up to so many wonderful people who did phenomenal performances on screen.

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

Now, I’d love to end up in the athletic industry, whether it’s through practice, teaching, or application of my knowledge that I’m hoping to build throughout college!

Emily Stalzer:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

Vet – I love animals.

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

Physical Therapist – I love anatomy and how the body moves.

• Did Xavier or any extracurricular help inspire your new dream job? How so?

Sports med opened me to a whole new world of possible careers!

Emma Cantoni:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

Princess!! I wanted fancy dresses and big castles!

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

Computer Programmer!! I love programming!

• Did Xavier or any extracurricular help inspire your new dream job? How so?

Computer Programming class with Mrs. Wyman introduced me to programming.

Emma Valentine:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

I wanted to be a doctor in the military. I always wanted to be a doctor but I wanted to help my country in any way that I could and have an impact on the world.

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

My current dream job is to be a sports lawyer. I love being around the sports environment and the thrill of helping people achieve their dreams.

Gracie Garrett:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

An acrobat because I wanted to live with a circus. It seemed cool.

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

To someday author a book.

• Did Xavier or any extracurricular help inspire your new dream job? How so?

​​Loved all my English classes and Pierian Spring. They both definitely feed my love for writing!

Halston Yerxa:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

Veterinarian because I loved animals so much I wanted to spend my life taking care of them.

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

Entertainment Lawyer

• Did Xavier or any extracurricular help inspire your new dream job? How so?

In Mrs. Donaldson’s sophomore Honors English class, I remember there was an opportunity to sign up for a Law Camp in Washington D.C. and I was also taking Mrs. Welty’s Criminal Law Class at the time, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to experience all that I had been learning. I signed up and got accepted into it, but unfortunately it was canceled due to COVID-19; however, it did spark my interest in law. At the beginning of senior year, I wasn’t sure what I wanted my major to be, but after taking Mrs. Long’s AP Psychology class, I became very interested in human behavior and the way of the mind– my current major in college is Psychology on a Pre-Law track.

Kate Brink:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

For a while I really wanted to be the President for a reason I really don’t know.

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

Songwriter and Producer

• Did Xavier or any extracurricular help inspire your new dream job? How so?

I started playing guitar during quarantine and started writing music and realized it’s what I’m meant to be doing.

Kate Ryan:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

Professional golfer

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

My dream job now is to be an engineer for Disney (an Imagineer) and build the rides and attractions seen in their parks!

Lillian Sexton:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

My dream job was an odd one. I wanted to be a professional “gamer.” Meanwhile the only game I played at the time was probably Club Penguin. I wanted to go pro because when I was growing up, gaming social personalities were peaking and I looked up to many of them.

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

My dream job now is ironically a psychiatrist or therapist, which is very out-of-the-park in comparison to what my dream job was. Why I want to pursue this field of work is because I went undiagnosed with mental illnesses for too long to the point where it took me to reach extreme and life-endangering circumstances to get recognized and to get the help I’ve been needing for years. It is my passion and goal to help the youth get the resources they need so that they don’t have to wait to get the help they need.

• Did Xavier or any extracurricular help inspire your new dream job? How so?

Yes and no. My mental health alone was the major factor to my passion, but I cannot ignore Xavier’s lovely teachers and staff who care and notice those who stagger behind the crowd. I owe all of my thanks to Mrs. Gannon– she saved me.

Lily Gabler:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

I wanted to be a veterinarian because I loved horses, and at age three could name every horse in a”horse book.” I just loved animals.

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

A dermatologist because I find it to be very interesting and I would like to do something in the medical field. I am also interested in cosmetics and studying the skin.

• Did Xavier or any extracurricular help inspire your new dream job? How so?

Not really, as a child I used to visit the dermatologist frequently and became fascinated with the practice. I want to help others like they helped me.

London Wood:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

Marine biologist or CIA

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

Animator or marketing artist

• Did Xavier or any extracurricular help inspire your new dream job? How so?

Art classes

Lucienne Fischer:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

An interior designer

• Are you pursuing your childhood dream job?

Yes!

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

An architect so a little different but I am still pursuing design.

• Did Xavier or any extracurricular help inspire your new dream job? How so?

I had an architecture internship that inspired me.

Madelyn Germer:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

When I was younger, I wanted to be a teacher because of my desire to be the person that taught children the tools that allowed for them to be successful and happy later in life. I also wanted for children to enjoy school more, which I thought could be possible by becoming a teacher myself.

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

My dream job currently is to become a nurse practitioner, because of my strong desire to help those who either are injured or sick to become healthy again. I think a lot of this stems from the many nurses in my extended family, as well as my desire (from even when I wanted to be a teacher) to help others to be successful and happy.

• Did Xavier or any extracurricular help inspire your new dream job? How so?

I knew that I wanted to be a nurse practitioner before Xavier, but having the opportunity to take certain classes, like anatomy and sports medicine, has solidified my desire. Furthermore, having a job as a lifeguard outside of school exemplified just how much I wanted to be a nurse, because that job gave me a glimpse into what I would be doing: ensuring the livelihoods of others.

Mi Ngo: 

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

I wanted to be a lawyer because it seemed cool. However, I deserted this dream when I figured that I will not be able to endure the rigorous nature. In addition, talking in court under pressure sounds like a nightmare.

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

I would like to become a mental health therapist because it is cooler than being a lawyer. This career is personal to me and would benefit people’s health for the long run.

Natalia Gomez del Campo:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

When I was a child, I wanted to be an author!

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

I knew I wanted to stay in the writing field, but as I have grown older and learned more about the field of journalism I realized it was the perfect career for me. I like that it opens so many doors to different types of journalism and career paths (print, broadcast, communications, investigative, sports, etc). I love the idea of using my talents of writing and communicating with others to make a real impact on the world, and I can’t imagine myself doing anything else in my future.

• Did Xavier or any extracurricular help inspire your new dream job? How so?

I have been a part of the XPress staff since my junior year where I learned a lot about the basics of journalism. This class made me realize it is definitely something I want to do for the rest of my life, and I have really enjoyed writing about my school.

Theresa Borlongan: 

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

My parents, along with their passion for their work and their willingness to serve others, inspired me to become a doctor just like them growing up. I also wanted a white coat of my own to wear one day!

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

My dream job is to become a biomedical engineer in the biotech industry. I do still love medicine and science, but I’ve decided to go about my future job in a more analytic way. There are so many ways to breach the world of medicine and help those in need, and I’m very excited to explore it!

• Did Xavier or any extracurricular help inspire your new dream job? How so?

I would say that my calculus class with Ms. Pendergast definitely shifted my attention to a subject that I actually always hated growing up. While math was not always a passion of mine, the challenge of calculus and my involvement with Calculus Club helped me consider how I could incorporate math with science and medicine in my future.

Theresa Romero:

• What was your dream job as a child? Why?

Pediatric surgeon. I wanted to be one because I wanted to help kids remove their tumors.

• What is your dream job currently? Why?

To be a lawyer. I want to help fight for people who have been discriminated against.