I passed 90k when I was about 32, about 6 years ago. I do work in O&G but I'm not an Engineer and I have a degree in philosophy.
Regarding the study, I'm wondering if the question was posed in terms of 90k at today's rate or 90k factoring in inflation 10 years from now. If it's the latter it isn't necessarily that unrealistic, especially in Alberta.
If you would have asked me or my friends the same question when we were 18 I don't think we could have imagined making that amount of money. 90k was a big number. I think this study demonstrates not only how much the Alberta economy has changed in the last 20 years but also demonstrates the (possibly unrealistic) optimism and feeling of entitlement of the Y-Generation. I know this may sound like I'm telling the kids to get off my lawn, however, I'm not surprised by the results of this survey whatsoever. Every study about Y-Gens comes up with similar results. They have a lot of positives going for them but the sense of entitlement ain't one of them.