It's frankly not true, though. I don't bother with side projects beyond having a simple personal website. I've worked at startups that have been acquired as wel

It's frankly not true, though. I don't bother with side projects beyond having a simple personal website. I've worked at startups that have been acquired as well as the largest/most reputable employers in the valley. Personal projects are there to help compensate for an otherwise lacking resume. If your resume is on point, you don't need them. Nine-to-five is absolutely enough if you are a diligent and thoughtful engineer.