I find it boils down to their motivations. Career-oriented people are motivated by their career - money, power, prestige, etc. Many, many people are not. I’m motivated to make money so my family is very comfortable, but I’m not motivated by the job itself. I hate pretty much anyone I meet in the corporate arena, but having a house and the stuff we need and options to travel or cover emergencies are what I realize are most important to me. If I had to do it differently, I would have taken a lucrative position where I’m standing more often for my long-term health and that’s about it.
I’ve met many people like me in college, but I would say the majority are like what you describe where their worth is tied to what they do.
