What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?

"In India, it's not like here, you don't get to choose your major. Your parents choose it for you. My parents thought the future was in technology and so that's what I majored in. I like math, but I don't like computer science."

His name is Dino. He drove me from my hotel in Santa Clara to the San Jose Airport. Dino was under the impression that all kids in the United States have freedom of choice when it comes to choosing their careers.

"You'd be surprised," I said to Dino. "I know lots of doctors, lawyers and teachers who selected that career either because they thought it would make their parents happy or their parents actively campaigned for them to choose a particular career path.

"I've never heard that," said Dino.

Meanwhile, Dino explained that he had always been interested in business and sports. He wasn't just driving a limo, he was building a business. In addition to this car, he told me that he has two more cars. He's very excited and very happy.

I didn't ask how his parents felt about his career path.

That was on Sunday. Today I had coffee with my friend Emil who asked if I've read "The World is Flat."

"Not yet,  It's on my summer reading list."

Emil said in one chapter Friedman talks about accountants and his prediction that in five years all of our tax returns will be done in India.

Which got me thinking about all the people who are now in their 30s, 40s and 50s who chose accounting because (a) they liked it (b) it was secure (c) their parents thought it was a good idea. Now what?

If Friedman's prediction is true, what are they going to do? And, if Friedman's prediction is correct, will anyone even want to become an accountant?

Will any college-bound student when asked '' What do you want to be?" answer... accountant?

Chances are if you ask a young child what they want to be when they grow up, they will probably respond with the traditional " fireman, policeman, teacher, movie star."

But, what will the 18 or 20 year old say?  They certainly won't say they're seeking a career in plastics. And, it seems like everything else is up for grabs.

Meanwhile, as I was getting out of the cab, I asked Dino if he got his nickname because his parents liked Dean Martin.

Dino stared back as if I had asked him to answer the philosophical question "what is the meaning of life."

"You have no idea who Dean Martin is, do you?"

Dino grinned and said no.

Another reminder that fame is fleeting.

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