It's not only money that drives these people, but also ego/prestige. I did my undergrad in finance - during that time, most of my peers looked down on my interest in technology. At one point, one of my friends (who is an investment banker now) even told me to stop having a "poor person's mentality".
Of course, many of these same people jumped into the tech industry (if such a thing exists) as soon as it became "prestigious". Although they have only a very shallow interest in actual tech, they've brought that same superiority complex with them.
I've legitimately overheard someone say in a SF cafe: "I couldn't be a doctor...it doesn't change the world enough and you don't actually earn that much." facepalm
I’ve never framed “change the world” as an ego drive but that really does make a lot of sense.
I honestly don’t think outcomes were that important for the folks who were in the industry in the 80’s and early 90’s. “No one became a billionaire back then” is something I’ve been told a few times.
I’m face palming so hard my hand is embedded in my face st the last one. Especially since surgeons earn 500k+ so even leaving aside the tremendous difference you can make in a person’s life as a doctor, that comment is just completely ignorant.
Of course, many of these same people jumped into the tech industry (if such a thing exists) as soon as it became "prestigious". Although they have only a very shallow interest in actual tech, they've brought that same superiority complex with them.
I've legitimately overheard someone say in a SF cafe: "I couldn't be a doctor...it doesn't change the world enough and you don't actually earn that much." facepalm