Yup.
I joined the workforce in 2000 after a Masters degree and was super passionate for the first 8 years. It was rewarded by rapid promotions etc.
But now I’ve seen too many 30+ year veterans of companies being kicked to the curb with not even a golden handshake.
My first goal until I was 35 was the FIRE movement - Financial Independence, Retire early. Work hard, earn a lot, invest in stocks and live at a lower level.
It paid off so that I could technically retire at 40. But i’m not going to do that - I’d be bored. Instead I can set my own hours and do what I like to do at work - and get paid for it.
Over 40 you might as well be dead as far as most companies are concerned. Nobody cares how passionate or skilled you are, management cares that they can replace you with a new grad or outsource your job cheaper.
The art history or accounting major at the director or VP level is only dimly aware of the core competencies of the company, if at all. But he is capable of grasping that your salary number is bigger than his other options.