目指す

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 目指す (めざす) is a godan transitive verb for directing effort or movement toward a profession, goal, or place.
• Basic usage: 料理人を目指す makes a future profession the aim, while 山頂を目指す makes the summit the physical destination of a traveling group.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Career aim and travel destination
  • 料理人を目指す marks a status to achieve, while 山頂を目指す marks a place to reach with を. The latter does not say the summit has already been reached.