What was Santiago's occupation at the start of 'The Alchemist'?

At the start of The Alchemist, Santiago is a shepherd.

He is an Andalusian boy who travels through Spain with a flock of sheep, choosing the life because it allows him to see new places. His practical knowledge of paths, livestock, and village markets contrasts with his growing desire to discover something beyond ordinary routine.

The story begins when Santiago has a recurring dream about treasure near the Egyptian pyramids. After consulting a fortune-teller and meeting Melchizedek, the king of Salem, he sells his sheep and begins the journey that forms the novel’s central quest. His former occupation is therefore important: it gives him independence, mobility, and an instinct for observing signs in the world.

Readers sometimes remember Santiago as a farmer because he works with animals and the land, but the novel specifically identifies him as a shepherd. Paulo Coelho’s novel was first published in Portuguese in Brazil in 1988 and later became an international bestseller focused on pursuing one’s “Personal Legend.”