So I'm in charge of a software development group and I have a guy who is like you. I shoot down his ideas all the time. I don't like it. I try to encourage him.

So I'm in charge of a software development group and I have a guy who is like you. I shoot down his ideas all the time. I don't like it. I try to encourage him. We hired him because he is "constantly learning" and seems to enjoy the work and do things on his own time just like I do and just like you do. But I shoot him down because his ideas don't fit in our group. We mostly do boring CRUD stuff for internal customers. Most things are very similar and having 7 similar projects all built in different ways with different technology is NOT maintainable. The other developers wouldn't be able to work on things that he built. Yes, the other developers should get up to speed on different technologies, but different isn't always better and I can't change them all. Anyhow, my point. Maybe your ideas aren't shot down because you're the "newbie". Maybe they don't fit that organization. Keep learning. Keep enjoying the tech. Keep an open mind and maybe the old-timers where you are might teach you something and hopefully you can teach them something also, someday. Mostly, don't get discouraged and keep your eyes open for something better.