[dagw]

A see a lot of students who seem to have that as their goal in life.

I wonder if that really is their goal? I think if you pushed them on it you'll probably find that their true life goal was to earn a massive salary while hanging out with smart people and fucking around with cool tech. It just so happens that (they believe that) {Google, Facebook, Amazon, ...} will offer them that.

I suspect there is a good reason that Google, Facebook etc. structure their work setting on an idealized version of the university campus.

[microtonal]

I wonder if that really is their goal?

The aspects that you mention definitely count as well, but I think that prestige is a large part of it (both in the field and among family/friends).

[rmc]

They will also provide free food, a laundry service, etc. It's basically like having your mother look after you!