A recent survey conducted by LinkedIn asked 8000 people what they aspired to be when they were young. The study generated some interesting results that were reported by Forbes.

It was revealed that, the most common job aspirations in Men were Olympic or professional athletes, helicopter or airplane pilots, scientists, lawyers and astronauts while for the women, occupations like teaching, veterinarian, writing singing and medicine topped the list, reported Forbes.

Around 30 percent of the respondents said that they pursued their childhood aspirations, reported Forbes. However, a striking difference can be noted between the childhood aspirations and current pursuits.

Over 8 percent of the men wanted to be athletes and 7 percent of them aspired to be pilots. 6.8 percent of the same cohort wanted to grow up and be scientists.

As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are around 12,630 professional athletes who earn around $79,830 on an average per annum. On an average, a pilot now earns a little more than $187,199 per annum and a scientist or those in science related jobs, earn an average sum of $67,470 per year.

11.4 percent of the women wanted to be teachers and 9 percent of them aspired to be veterinarians. 8.1 percent of the women dreamt of being writers, novelists or journalists.

Statistics of the BLS showed that the top teachers earned an average of $81,230 per annum.  The top vet doctors indicated an average earning of $91,250, while the best journalists made an average of $115,740 a year.

There were many other common childhood aspirations like fashion designers, architects, chefs. private investigators, surgeons, models etc, reported Forbes.

Jobs have now become a choice between careers and callings. With the economy recovering slowly, you can choose from the Best jobs of 2013.