most importantly, have the ability to focus on your paper while same-age/younger folks around you are earning way better salary and banging much prettier girls.
I am a girl. I would like to date a hard working and knowledgeable PhD guy like that rather than some small minded people who work in some companies just for money. People who do PhD are often curious people who are very passionate about learning. That alone I found very attractive.
Hark! Unfortunately girls are just as shallow as guys, for the most part. Most want to date the cool guy, who cares if he is a looser in hindsight. Guys are just as shallow, to be fair.
-Signs a bitter nerd.
Earning way better, sure.
Nothing beats the university environment for meeting girls though.
Because clearly money and girl-banging are the only reasons to choose a career.
No they are not, but they sure are important. Anybody who says otherwise is lying or being naive. We all want to find a mate, is in our genes. Those that profess not to want sex are either lying or are sick.