I do work at one of those 50k employee behemoths, and I wouldn't say it's bleak. But IMO the D&D metaphor does hold. Unfortunately, at work, not everyone can b

I do work at one of those 50k employee behemoths, and I wouldn't say it's bleak. But IMO the D&D metaphor does hold. Unfortunately, at work, not everyone can be an adventurer. Somebody has to run the grimey inn where you met your party; somebody has to be the withered old man that told you of the ancient treasure; somebody has to be the otherwise inconsequential bystander staying at the inn to keep it in business long enough to allow for these encounters. But you'll never get directions to the Temple of Elemental Evil from the latter. Basically, you have to seek out your own quests - don't let them bury you in Beetle hunting. If you're intelligent and creative, you're biggest obstacle is going to be getting in a room with the person who has a problem you're capable of solving - and unfortunately, they don't all have yellow question marks above their heads.