I’m definitely not old (~30), and my preference has generally been my age +/- 5 years.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve noticed that my sexual attraction has migrated from being solely based on physical attributes to being partially based emotional connection, intelligence, passion, etc.

I think it’s also important to note that an individual’s “peak attractiveness” can occur at different stages of their life.

Completely agree. Although I have known a few people who went for accounting because of the reasons OP gave and absolutely HATED it. So it’s important to make sure you can actually handle it as a day job

It’s laziness. “I don’t have to think tough thoughts if I let someone else do all of the thinking for me.”

Seconded. In most cases people tend to become what they see most often