When I did my research project,
the other MChem student was regarded in a much better light, because she had known exactly what career she wanted to do at about 14 and had planned all the necessary work experience etc., and I'd more or less drifted along through life and played it by ear. I believe she's now doing a Ph.D and is well on course to a lucrative career in pharmaceuticals.

Although career advisors, teachers and would-be employers loved her for her sheer single-mindedness, she was incredibly stuffy and snobbish, and made me look like a social butterfly in comparison.
( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Wed 26 May 2010, 22:54, archived)

When I was 12 I wanted to be a computer programmer.
When I was 16 I realised most computer programming was actually rather dull so I went into science instead.
When I was 25 I realised being a scientist was fucking awful and ran for the hills.
Now I'm 33 and a computer programmer.
It is rather dull.
So it goes.
( Moon Girl Technologies horrendous beanbag, Wed 26 May 2010, 23:04, archived)

This doesn't mean "nobody knows" when they're 16.
I wanted to be in IT or electronics from the age of 8. I was indeed in that career by 18 and stayed there until I got very unwell a few years ago. Now I run my own IT business instead.

I'd not say everyone has that clear ambition, and very few have your apathy. I say they're likely someway between you and me and have a vague idea.

Don't project your own life onto others and label any encouragment of ambition as a Bad Thing, it's just dumb. We've done this one before: ambition and competition are what drives mankind forward. If we did it your way we'd still be apes in caves.
( Dave Trouser ; the people's choice - 75% agree, Wed 26 May 2010, 23:14, archived)

I know it doesn't,
it was just an example of how things can turn out funny.
( Moon Girl Technologies horrendous beanbag, Wed 26 May 2010, 23:18, archived)