When I was young I wanted to be world dictator.
But I've settled for being a programmer, and I seem to be good enough at it that it could work out, and I enjoy it.
In high school they said starting salary was 70k.
In college they say 60k.
In real life I'm thinking 50k, which is still > double what I can make as a full time laborer.
Don't fall for absolutes. An excellent salary and hating the job can be just as bad as hating the salary and loving the job. Live everything else in life, happiness comes form finding a balance.
That's my two cents.