[dvt]

Oh come on. Even as engineers, it's important not to have delusions of grandeur: we're replaceable cogs in an infinite machine. Unless you're engineer #2 or work as a VP or a part of the C-suite, you truly don't really matter to the company. Thinking otherwise will only lead to heartbreak.

[jsmith12673]

I'd argue that even as engineer 2, or VP of whatever, you're still replaceable.

Outside whatever thin veil of prestige your job offers you, the larger world couldn't care less about what you do or what you make.

[rimliu]

Yes. But the supply of the cogs is limited, and to replace one you need to stop the machine. Even after the replacement you are not sure you put the right cog in. Cogs being replaceable does not mean that replacing them is costless.