I think for a long time PI was the only goal of academia, but the times they are a changing! And of course! So, I'm at the opposite end of the neuroscience career path, I fell in love with it early and my entire undergraduate career was centered on it. Currently, I'm doing a joint masters with the NIH and a university in the DC area. I applied this application cycle and I'm deciding between a few different places. My career goals are to continue doing as much hands on research for as long as I can and to do policy and advocacy work (another unique advantage that comes with living in DC). I don't plan to stay in academia forever-- but maybe I will, who's to say lol. If you want good research experience I hear nothing but good things about the NIH postbac program. They aren't shy about taking people from different backgrounds and there are free classes that anyone can take, you don't have to be enrolled in a degree seeking program.