White collar jobs are still very much a thing, so are white collar opportunities. In many countries of the World, people tend to model their aspirations towards a chance at the biggest opportunities available. Many spend their time and energy preparing for those opportunities, with the aim of being counted amongst the privileged few that do get those limited opportunities.
As much as am not a lazy person (quite the opposite actually), I have never seen the need to be overtly competitive. If millions of people are vying for a single opportunity then you probably won't see me there, no matter how grandiose it may be. It isn't just that I don't fancy my odds, but I would rather take my chances on other opportunities that present themselves with far less competition and complication.
The reason is simply because there are tons of hidden gems that can be discovered in lesser known opportunities. Some are even begging to be tested, while others require just a little prompt to activate their potential. Take for instance building a small company from the early days and rising to the top. It may not carry as much glamour as being CEO of a major organisation, but it is certainly an equally rewarding experience.