Looking Back on Career Dreams

Why don’t most of us follow our dreams? As a kid, I was passionate about dogs and horses—areas I still love—but, I never pursued jobs or even internships in those fields. I am decades older now, looking back on my career, the decisions made and especially the road not taken and trying to figure out where I veered off.

My younger self thought that dream jobs were for other people who were smarter than I was and special in some way. But I was just an anxious kid who lacked confidence, was unsure of my abilities and never stood out in school. I was scared of making the wrong decision, failing, taking risks and upsetting my parents.

This post is dedicated to people like me—the late-bloomers and the lost. This is the story of my career journey with encouragement for those still struggling. Spoiler alert: My twisty path eventually led to a fulfilling career as a college career counselor

I got off on the wrong foot from the very beginning. I surmised that I wasn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer. My friends were teacher’s pets who won awards, got A’s and skipped grades. I had mediocre test scores, struggled in math and didn’t win prizes. Miss Staniforth, my 6th grade teacher, seated the smart kids directly in front of her. She put me by the far door. That was a hint.

In college, I couldn’t figure out what career I wanted to go into. I was freaked out by articles with titles such as“The Best Paying Jobs” and “Best Paying Majors,” because I couldn’t relate to most of the jobs listed, such as actuary, banker or engineer. I chose a safe route—health care—for a job that paid relatively well and was in demand. I first became a physical therapist, a fine career, but not my heart. Seven years later, I got a job I loved designing a physical therapy internship program for a new academic program. From work, I recognized that I excelled at such skills as problem solving, empathy, training, cultivating relationships, organizing events and marketing. I loved talking to people about their jobs—what they liked, didn’t like and how they got into the field. I learned that there are many more careers out there that I never knew about. This morphed into career counseling and the gratification of helping people with career issues.

Years later I can look back on my career and see clearly the things I overlooked, the misperceptions I had and the decisions I wish I had back. As David Bowie said, “Aging is an extraordinary process whereby you become the person you always should have been.” The old passions bubbled up after I got my beagle mix rescue, Leon, a few years ago. I have dedicated this late chapter of my life to helping animals and have an unquenchable desire to making sure they are safe.

I started the website CareerMutt® to funnel my love of animals and skill in career counseling to assist people interested in helping and advocating for companion animals who are without a family and homeless. People can also learn about related careers. I track and get the word out about animal-friendly legislation, work to strengthen the penalties for animal abusers and do my part to end animal testing. As a volunteer I’ve researched the quality of specific dog shelters for a national nonprofit.

I’m living proof that even if you get waylaid, become discouraged or by necessity have to take a job to pay the bills, the hunger remains. This isn’t to say that we all have the talent to be brain surgeons, veterinarians or award-winning actors, but that we can be our own worst enemy. It isn’t too late to change—maybe not in the way you envisioned, but you can still accomplish so much.

As a college career counselor and director, I had admiration for all of my students with a special understanding of the underconfident. I’d tell them: You are likely to take for granted the things that you do well, because you think everyone can do them. I’d bring in people with different careers so that there were connections. I’d encourage risk-taking, networking and using their imaginations to identify things they might want to do. I’d be their guide and biggest cheerleader.

Getting old is a funny thing—the stress, self-doubt, inferiority and self-loathing are long gone—so are the what-ifs (most of the time). I am clear-eyed. In hindsight, I know that I could have pursued careers in my dream areas. It would have been hard and I might not have succeeded, but I could have at least tried.

We are all on a journey. Embrace the ride. There will be wrong turns, right turns and surprises. You will grow from your failures although you may not realize it at the time. They are not the end of the world. You are not too old. Later on, you will be the one encouraging others on their own journeys.

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About the Author

Phyllis Brust, PhD is an award-winning career counselor and writer. Phyllis has helped organizations, including Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, NGOs and the US government, to find candidates and clients to find jobs. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (BS, MS and PhD).

CareerMutt® focuses on pet careers and pet advocacy. See our other blog posts on animal advocacy, networking, animal artists, advice for pre-vets, gaining experience and more.

©2026 Brust All rights reserved. Do not use the blog text or photographs without attribution.