During my career, I've repaired mainframes and graphics systems. I've managed Unix systems for over 25 years. SysVr4 on NCR frames, AIX systems, Sun Systems and now a mixed environment of Linux and AIX. I think I'm reasonable good at it, at least no ones complained.
I've worked in a variety of industries, finance, food service, distribution. I've work at a PAAS startup that successfully exited. I know the business world better then when I started and can relate to business employees a lot better than I did when I was younger. I've also learned how to coax a problem out of a non IT employee, especially when they really can't describe the problem.
I've found as I got older, I mellowed a bit, I don't rush to judgement as fast, and I've learned to look at a problem and try to understand it before I try to fix it. I've also got a long history of troubleshooting to lean on when I need it. If I did something wrong or screwed up, I admitted it and apologize. If I didn't understand something, I also admitted it and asked for help. I can also use Google with the best of them. I've found out that though the joints are creaking a bit, I have no problems keeping up.
I believe that I've given fair work to whatever company I worked for, for the compensation they gave me. Consider I'm still employed in the field after so long, I have to believe it's so.
I've also learned not to put anything in writing where it can be used against me in the future. I would never post this question on such an emotional and inflammatory topic. I really hope no one knows your real id, otherwise this could bite you in the future.
I also hope you keep this someplace and read it when you are in the middle of your career. I think you will be dismayed at how callous you were.
Good luck.