I'm wondering how much of this is specifically about software engineering vs other similar "worker bee #57" office jobs? I think broadly speaking it's mostly t

I'm wondering how much of this is specifically about software engineering vs other similar "worker bee #57" office jobs? I think broadly speaking it's mostly the same thing in most places. You might get lucky here and there in your career with an exceptionally good company but that tends to be the exception rather than the norm. If you can make it as an independent person working on your own stuff that will give you more satisfaction but obviously it's not for everyone.