I also got somewhat scared of your suggestion to go to a large company where they have a cafeteria, gym and a million other benefits (the dreaded word).. all meant to make everyone fairly happy but nobody really happy.

Come on! Don’t chicken out on me here! That’s like saying that you’re going to stay away from a beautiful lady (who’s interested in talking with you) that also happens to have a decent character simply because the beautiful ladies you knew in the past were evil soul-suckers!

I’m no expert in this area, but it’s generally in a company’s interest to keep it’s employees in some state of satisfaction so that the company will continue to prosper. “Satisfaction” can mean anything from “benefits” to “working on challenging and intersting projects”.

Unless you’re self-employed, “peon” is a relative term; there’s always going to be someone you’re going to have to answer to.

Here’s another way to look at a company from a different perspective:

Version A
Companies Prime Directive: Make $$$

Thus in order to generate $$$, they can just hire many “cogs” in the giant machinery to slave away. The cog gets worn out, they simply replace it with a new (and eager) one.

Version B
Companies Prime Directive: Make $$$

In order to generate $$$, they hire quality individuals who they do their best to meet those individuals’ needs that fit within the company’s (long term) goals. The employees are the company’s true value and assets and it realizes this. Because of this fact, it tries to provide an environment where the employees can thrive and do their best work and not be distracted by the “little things”.

Anyway … there’s a reason why many people flock to Google … and there’s a reason why Google has really nice “benefits” for the folks who work there.

Of course, we’re not talking about Google, but you get the idea! 8P

At least apply to that place and see if they’re really “too good to be true”; you always have the option of turning them down! 8P

I want some results, enough talk!! 8P

I also got somewhat scared of your suggestion to go to a large company where they have a cafeteria, gym and a million other benefits (the dreaded word).. all meant to make everyone fairly happy but nobody really happy.

Working for a small company is a pain, because there is little money and one often has to do whatever it takes to keep it floating.
Working for a huge one however is bound to reduce individuality at a minimum.. it is very important that I get hired as an individual.

I’ll never forget my first day at SquareSoft, where I accidentally got mixed with a dozen play testers.. I work hard because I want to be considered as an individual.

..perhaps I’m making it too big, but I’m definitely going to make sure that I won’t get hired as a “peeon” 8P

Sometimes the “trick” is just finding that happy medium … sometimes the “trick” is to move on to some other line of work or employer (if it’s feasable for one’s life situation).

I’d say (for the time being) it’s wise to “cool down” a bit so that you’ll be able to make a more objective decision as to what you want to do. Nothing like making a change with both eyes shut!

If switching jobs is what needs to be done and it won’t equate to a long term EOS situation, then by all means do so … but I think it’s generally a good idea to have a long term game-plan of sorts anyway.

P.S.
If I have to do a job where I spend the whole day bored, I may as well go flip burgers.
Yeaaaaaaaaah … I think you’d go crazy in less than a month! I can hear you already thinking about the specular reflections off the bun and greasy meat. 8P