I wanted to be a scientist. Badly.
My mom actually did a little research for me. She was a smart cookie, but only years later did I realize how smart she was since she was "only" a homemaker. Anyway, as part of her parenting, one day, around 9th grade, she said to me:
"Joe, did you know if you want to be an astronomer, you really need a PhD? Do you know what it takes to get a PhD? Oh, and I got this book from the library, check out the pay scales... Have you considered engineering? You might like it."
At the time, I was like, "Yeah, whatever old lady." But it stuck in my mind, and through really good career counseling in my High School, I discovered it was the right way. It became clear to me after calculus in 11th grade, I was not really cut out for PhD tracks anyway. I just didn't think that way."
Anyway, call it lucky, or call it good parenting. Mom really, really had an impact. Thanks mom! Rest in peace.
Footnote: my cousin became an astronomer and does just fine. Yep, he got the PhD. But we're now both burned out on our careers. Different paths, but we're both OK and can R.E. Pure science careers can work too, but you have to get that advanced degree, and man oh man, it is work.