Am I crazy for dreaming?

[gshoemate]

I grew up in Michigan, for as long as I can remember I have loved whales and dolpins. But I never followed that interest. I have worked in banking and at Wal-Mart in the accounting office and right now I am a stay at home mommy that works part time for a software company (I work at home). Last september we move to Florida, about 12 miles from downtown Orlando. Lately I have been thinking about following my dreams and going back to school to eventually get a job at Sea World working the the whales or dolphins. I figure that if I start going to school now part time, by time my youngest is ready for school, I will be done with school and will be ready to go out and work. Does this sound silly? Right now I am 33, a little old to be going back to school for a job that is really hard to get. Most people that work as trainers at Sea World stay in that position for many many years. Heck, I would even work there for free if I could work with the animals. My fear is that I spend all this time and money for schooling and diving certification and will never get a job there. Am I silly for dreaming?

 

[Rajah]

IMHO, dreaming is *never* silly.

Maybe you could go to Sea World and see if you can talk to a few of the trainers? Or, I know they have a "trainer for a day" type program (at least I remember seeing something about that on I think the Travel Channel) and you might look into that to get a little bit of an introduction and a chance for some one-on-one time with some trainers to see how much chance you have of making your dream come true.

Good luck, and have fun in the process!! *hugs*

 

[browneyes]

No, you're not crazy for dreaming. Good luck.

Is 33 old?

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep
In dreams you lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for, you keep

Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling thru
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
the dream that you wish will come true

 

[Dream]

Never EVER stop dreaming!!!!!

 

[MosMom]

It is pretty difficult to get a job with Sea World BUT if your dream is truly to work with dolphins there are other places to work. Coming from a person who has actually worked with dolphins, I would suggest looking into attending DolphinLab at The Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key. It is expensive but there are scholarships. They have a basic, intermediate, and advanced training class which I believe you have to be accepted into (at least it used to be that way). You could spend time with dolphins and really get an idea as to what is involved with training.

I'm not sure what majors are available now but when I was younger, psychology was the route you wanted to travel. At the time, there were no actual "training" majors and marine biology really didn't cover it either.

It definitely is a calling and not a career, I'm a SAHM now and I love this as much as I loved working with dolphins. I do miss them terribly and if given the chance, I would get involved with them again so I say GO FOR IT!!! If you go for a pscyhology major and training doesn't work out, there are other avenues available to you with that major.

You can find the website for DRC at: http://www.dolphins.org

I wish you all the luck in the world and if you have any other questions, feel free to PM.

 

[dtuleya]

You Go Girl! Never give up on your dreams!

 

[trayletha]

ABSOLUTELY NOT !!

Right now I am 33, a little old to be going back to school for a job that is really hard to get. Most people that work as trainers at Sea World stay in that position for many many years. Heck, I would even work there for free if I could work with the animals. My fear is that I spend all this time and money for schooling and diving certification and will never get a job there. Am I silly for dreaming?

Education is never wasted - If you don't end up getting a job with SW there are other options. I think I remember reading about a program in Florida with dolphins and autistic children, any way you have more options than you think.

GO FOR IT

 

[phamton]

I say go for it. I read something somewhere and can't remember where but it does sum up the age/schooling issue.

Perspective teacher: "I'm 30 years old and if I go back to school part-time it will take me 8 years to finish. I'll be 38 years old when I finally graduate!"

College admissions counsellor: "So how old will you be in 8 years if you don't go to school?"

My husband who had a college degree decided he wanted to be a school teacher at age 40. He's been teaching now for 12 years and loves it. I say follow your dreams.