You really got this advice? Wow. Who was this lady?
.................
Oh yes.
The lady was one of my mom's co-workers.
That day, I hopped on a downtown bound train and met my mom at her workplace, a posh department store which is now only a memory. I was introduced to Friendly Co-worker as my mother and I were leaving. "You're so cute! I've heard so much about you!" The Dorothy Hamill-esque Friendly Co-worker said, squeezing my cheeks. "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
I told her.
"Well, that's certainly ambitious. But, maybe janitor or trash man might be more realistic."
Now my mother, who's a compassionate, funny and smart person with a close to zero tolerance for bullshit was about to pounce when I said, quite calmly and firmly as I recall, "No. I'm going to be a computer engineer. That's what's going to happen."
People often become nervous and confused when 12 year olds speak with confidence. Friendly Co-worker looked confused and smiled weakly as my mom and I left the store.
.d.