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You could try to become a respected expert in learning then? There is a lot of use for people who can pick up XYZ in a timely manner. Especially in software where the world moves so fast (unless you do C or similar) that yesteryears knowledge is outdated this year.

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Personally I think the kind of work I do rewards learning things/executing things fast. I take extended periods of doing the same things as a.. bonus? Things will always change, and in FE development I feel like it's all integration. Which is fine for me, and what I want to sharpen is to be quick and have a feel of what kind of integration does the business/story/ticket needs. Balancing that with maintainability and teamwork is what's interesting. The programming part is only a tool for me. I'm happy that I get paid to solve problems mainly with my programming/abstract thinking skills instead of managing skills or negotiation skills; not programming itself.

But it's usually not respected. You end up like me - an intermediate developer who is willing to pick up the shit tasks that nobody else wants. The only thing that will help get to higher compensation or a senior role is to become an expert to the point where you can leave and get a job almost anywhere. Stuff like FileNet, Neoxam, ASC, etc doesn't have a market. It's a necessary and important role for the company, but nobody wants to do them and very few people use them (or procedures for ASC vary too much).

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