Emma Watson at the London premiere of Noah

When we heard that actress Emma Watson had qualified as a yoga instructor, we started to think about what we would be doing if we didn't work at ELLE. The variety of alternatives is surprising…

Lorraine Candy, Editor-in-Chief

Marine biologist! I love the sea, plants and all things beach. I have an extensive collection of books on rare deep-sea fish! I am however fatally allergic to shellfish.

Sophie Beresiner, Beauty Director

Big cat conservationist. I've even been to Africa to offer my services to a cheetah sanctuary (sabbatical necessary). I could easily be up every two hours to feed an orphaned lion cub, but a human baby? Not so sure.

Molly Haylor, Fashion Assistant

I wanted to be a zookeeper or to have my own aquarium when I was younger – I still think about it all the time! So, for my 25th birthday, my best friend has got me a voucher to work at London Zoo for a day.

Kirsty Dale, Executive Fashion Director

I once did work experience at a prop studio for a few weeks during college and absolutely loved it. My finest moment was helping to build a 6ft-high cake for Selfridges, complete with fake icing. I was sad to leave my glue gun days behind, so would love to do this again.

Gillian Brett, Editorial Assistant

Investigative journalist. I was obsessed with taking down the Dublin drug ring as a kid and when I was 15 I did work experience in the missing persons bureau. Veronica Guerin was my idol. That or a yoga teacher in Bali.

Amy Lawrenson

Voice of a cartoon character (I still really want it to happen – in my spare time, obvs). So, if anyone out there wants me to voice something, note: I will attempt any accent once.

Charlotte Cox, Acting Deputy Chief Sub-Editor

I wanted to be a ballerina. Unfortunately my dream was foiled at age six, when my ballet teacher told my mum that classes were a bit of a waste of money, as I had the natural balance of a weeble. My next idea was to be a journalist… luckily, you don't need to stand en pointe to do that.

Anne-Marie Curtis, Fashion Director

A florist. It’s an alternative form of styling really but perhaps a bit less… stressful. And a children's book author, which is just another way of telling a story/making characters.

Lara Ferros, Picture Editor

I want to be the dog whisperer, along with doing dog commentary for funny dog videos and animated movies where talking dogs are needed.

Claire Sibbick, Junior Sub-Editor

Having been involved in the preparation of my brother's wedding (read: forced them to let me help), I think I'd enjoy being a wedding planner. Spreadsheets galore – it would be amazing! The potential bridezillas would be less fun, but if you're dreaming you don't have to think about the bad bits, right?

Jamie Spence, Picture Assistant

I'd love to be a party planner. But a party planner that gets to enjoy the party too. Is that just a socialite? Maybe that's what I'll be…

Christina Simone, Workflow Director

Emergency room [A&E] doctor. I like to think I'm calm under pressure.

Collette Lyons, Acting Content Director

Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard. I love a power ballad and a headscarf…

Leisa Barnett, News & Social Media Editor

I always wanted to be a poet

But, wouldn't you know it

I was never very good.

Joely Walker, Beauty Assistant

Food critic, and condiment tester for Heinz on the side. Being paid to eat out every night of the week and having a lifetime supply of Ketchup (I'd write this into my Heinz contract) = the dream

Jules Kosciuczyk, Fashion Features Assistant

An actress. Still want to be one actually. Used to pretend to be Julia Roberts all the time – same name, so it's only a matter of time before I collect my Oscar, surely?

Miette L. Johnson, Art Director

I'd be a comedian. No joke.

Lucy Johnston, Digital Picture Assistant

Mine would have to be toss up between a portrait photographer or a fine art painter. I've dabbled in both (although I haven't done painting in YEARS) and would love to sit in my own studio bathed in light, surrounded by easels and paint encrusted walls or studio lights and attractive assistants (the latter is KEY). And if all that fails I'll be a flâneur. Its my natural calling.

Fern Ross, Production Editor/Chief Sub-Editor

I want to be the woman who lives with 200 sloths.

Georgia Simmonds, Acting Commissioning Editor

I've just decided I would like to be a rapper. One who also makes clay plates and pots. A potter-rapper.