One reason might be because their (academia's) customers demand a return on investment. And that return is difficult to realize when Recruiter Joe is screening

One reason might be because their (academia's) customers demand a return on investment. And that return is difficult to realize when Recruiter Joe is screening you for a job and asking how many years of "The Java" you've had. Don't get me wrong, this is in no way an argument against what you said. I'm just offering up a possible answer.