Not sure if I “chose” it or just lucked into it.
In the early 1960s, my high school offered an 1/2 credit course, after normal school hours, on “Data Processing” using punch card systems. I enjoyed the course and the logic flow of the systems made sense to me.
After getting out of the US Army, as a draftee, in 1968 I needed a job. Saw an add for computer operators for a local super market company. I applied and was hired. It did not take long for me to decide that hanging tapes and putting paper in a printer was not for me.
In 1969, a local department store ran an add for entry level programmers – so I applied. After the initial interview, they had me take the IBM Programmer Aptitude test. I must have done well on as they offered me a position as a programmer trainee for $140/week. Turns out that programming is something that came easy to me and it was fun. The first language I learn was IBM 360 assembler.