I want to work at (insert location)

I read that asking a child, or anyone for that matter, what they would like to be growing up is problematic.

The question demands that you select and identify with one specific occupation. It leaves no room for changes in decision, interest, or preference. Moreover, if you come from a family that expects you to choose from any of their preferred career choices, the pressure becomes too heavy to bear.

These days, I find myself thinking about the less popular variations to the question, “What do I want to be when I grow up?” I do so mainly because I realize how my personality and interests vary over the years as I introduce myself to new people, places, and cultures. As I see how the world changes and how technology transforms the way people live, I become more attracted to the idea of choosing careers based on two things:

1. Location
2. Purpose

The interesting thing about this perspective is that the two are always intertwining.

Choosing work based on location gives me plenty of opportunities to explore and learn. I get to open my mind to new experiences that are beyond the job responsibilities: the people I’d potentially work with, the customers I’d meet, the processes, the influences inside and outside of the location, and the way of life. And because I am involved holistically, I am able to determine my purpose of wanting to work at said location.

Just for fun and to give you a chance to pick my brain, I would like to work at the following:

1. A bookstore, because I love/hoard books and I want to help people find their next best read. Current favorite bookstores: Strand Books, Barnes and Noble, and FullyBooked (Philippines).
2. A no-kill animal shelter, to offer my life and services in helping abandoned and abused animals.
3. A startup that promotes and sells beautiful home and lifestyle products, especially if they’re locally and humanely made. Common Room PH comes to mind.
4. A fun company or startup that creates and sells products that give back. My favorite at the moment is kids stationery brand Yoobi, Baron Fig, and Kickstarter success Passion Planner.
5. The Pokemon Company, because I love Pokemon.

Compared to choosing the actual role or career, location and purpose offer freedom to choose based on your interests and purpose. And they give you leeway to change and/or add more to your list. Overall, it’s a fun exercise that you can do to rediscover your interests, your ambitions, and ultimately your self.

So that’s my list, and it’ll be updated overtime. If you could choose where you’d like to work in, what would those places be?