I went to work for an HFT largely for non-compensation reasons. I had friends I liked working there and the technical challenges were extremely interesting. I learned a ton that has been really helpful sense in my career outside of HFT. Most of the engineers I worked with had similar motivations. I actually think my time in Silicon Valley startups has had me interacting with people more interested in compensation than any of my time in trading.

(None of this matters to the larger discussion but wanted to offer you a perspective of someone who has actually made the choice you are using as an example)