What’s Your Spark?

We love hearing about your dreams, your ideas, and the things that light you up. Whether you know exactly what you want your future career to be or are still figuring it out, your answers show just how creative and driven you are. 

Recently, we asked Your Hot Job users to share what matters most to them when it comes to their future careers: what your dream jobs need to include, and how your goals have changed over time. We heard from so many of you. Here are just a few of our favorite responses. Want to share yours? Write to us at tfkeditors@time.com

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My future career needs to involve books—I love reading so much! It also needs to include rescuing animals from habitat destruction, climate change, and deforestation.

—Charlotte, 9, Florida

My future career needs to include helping people, communicating with others, and writing. I want to be the CEO of a company I start, just like my mom.

—Aria, 13, New York

When I was 5, I wanted to be a veterinarian. Now I want to be a professional soccer player. Maybe after I retire from soccer, I’ll go to vet school. That way, I can be both.

—Ollie, 11, South Carolina

My future career needs to include making things, being creative, and art. I used to want to be a scientist, but now I want to be an author and illustrator.

—Elliot, 6, New Jersey

My career needs to involve creativity, making things, and not being boring. I don’t want to do the same thing over and over.

—Gabe, 12, South Carolina

When I was 5, I wanted to be a firefighter, because I thought fires were cool. Now I want to be an engineer. I love designing and building.

—Teddy, 13, New York

I used to want to be a pathologist. Now I’ve become interested in coding. I’m still interested in medicine and science, so I’d like to find a way to apply coding to medicine.

—Joy, 13, New York

My future career needs to include something that I can genuinely enjoy, something that I’m passionate about.

—Matilda, 13, Virginia

When I was 5, I wanted to be an inventor. Now I want to work for the FBI—showing bravery, keeping others safe, and always offering a helping hand. 

—Giselle, 11, Missouri

When I was 5, I wanted to be a YouTuber. Now I want something more stable and long-term, in Information Technology.

—Simon, 15, Connecticut

I want to work with children. I’m passionate about making a positive impact in their lives through support, guidance, and meaningful interaction.

—Yaretzi, 14, Illinois 

Having a career that requires an open mind at all times would be great. I like the idea of constantly being exposed to new things.

—Rishabh, 14, Illinois

I have a passion to become an accountant because I’m interested in mathematics and computer work. I think it will be an interesting job to pursue.

—Xavier, 14, Connecticut

When I was 5, I was really into Legos and other building toys. My dad told me an architect builds and designs structures. That’s where my interest in architecture started.

—Kabilan, 14, Illinois

Answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.