You have hopefully saved others from the same mistake. Which is a sort of pay it forward thing. Expect companies to do what is in their best interest at any mo

You have hopefully saved others from the same mistake. Which is a sort of pay it forward thing. Expect companies to do what is in their best interest at any moment. There is no loyalty, no friendship, and you work your ass off one year, you got paid, the next year it probably counts for little: no effect on promotion, salary or stock options can be expected. IMO places that make you work your ass off in software will pay poorly and are badly run. Other industries may be different e.g. finance.