Almost everyone at some point is asked the question: "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
On Tuesday eighth graders from the Hamilton County Schools took steps towards a possible answer at the ninth annual Career Crunch.
The event is part of a career readiness program for local students sponsored by the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce.
About 3,500 are expected to are set to attend the two-day event through today.
"I hope that students walk away with some idea of careers that they are interested in and are also aware of careers that they maybe have not heard of," said Mattie Moran, director of workforce development and education at the Chamber.
The event, held at the Tennessee National Guard Armory, gives students the chance to meet over 60 representatives from different fields and gain insight on how to succeed. Tuesday morning popular tables among students included the FBI, Ambiance Models & Talent Inc. and companies from engineering-related fields.
Though many students said they do not have concrete ideas of what careers they want to pursue, students said the event made them think about the future.
Here's a peek into their minds:
"I want to arrest the bad guys and put them in jail -- be on the good side of justice."
-- Micheal Harper, 13, Ooltewah Middle School, on wanting to become an FBI agent
"It's interesting; you get to report something different things every time."
-- Peyton Denim, 14, of Ooltewah Middle School, on becoming a broadcast anchor
"Ever since I was little, I always wanted to work with animals, so I was hoping to learn more about what I need to do to reach my goal."
-- Angela Petulla,14, of Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences, on becoming a veterinarian.
"I want to be an architect or engineer and I like what the people from UTC said about what I could learn there."
-- Frank Ward,13, Ooltewah Middle School
"The National Guard was really good at explaining what you could do while you're in it. I'm leaning towards that right now."
-- Jay Phillips, 14, Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences