When I was a kid, I wanted to be a dentist for some reason. I couldn't remember why, and this was like, when I was 5, so it's a bit strange when I think back today. But I guess I kinda always knew I wanted to go into the science field.
Throughout primary school, I wanted to be a vet because we had the neighbour's cat visit us a lot and we took care of her. I started watching a lot of RSPCA and Bondi Vet (throwback to when Chris Brown was on the show) and I would even start researching about the different pet breeds and various diseases each breed is prone to. I even had a folder of notes whenever I would do this research, but I don't know where it went.
It wasn't until the end of Year 5 when I realised how much I loved science, especially physics. Part of it was because I started watching Big Bang Theory and I really wanted to understand the physics jokes (especially the one where Leonard asks "What would you be if you were on object on an inclined plane, wrapped helically around an axis?" and the answer was screwed). Because I was so interested in physics, I would straight up read science textbooks and Stephen Hawking (I have two of his books at home). I genuinely wanted to become a physicist until my science tutor told me (when I was in Year 7) I can't get a career in physics. It was kinda harsh but I started to do job hunting and research, which is where I found engineering. At first, I was interested in biomed but then realised how much I hated biology lol. It wasn't until in Year 9 when my math tutor told me that engineers still don't know how flight works, and that's when I became interested in aerospace. I started reading up on the theory of flight, Bernoulli and Newton's Laws.
It's been a long journey, but I really am enjoying my ENGG subject. Hopefully, I can survive uni without failing and find a job either in the new Australian space agency or go to Europe. I would go to NASA but the US is a bit messy, politically, at the moment. Plus, I heard retirement is great in Europe (disclaimer: I heard), they're generous when it comes to funding in science (once again, I heard) and education is free there (especially Denmark) so if I decide to do some postgrad work, it's an option.