[dylan604]

Depends on the type of place you work. These are good times for POC type of projects. If you have an any kind of curiosity in a new language or there's something that you think could be done to make things better/easier/etc for users/co-workers/whatevs, then work on it so you can share it. Startups are obviously much more open to this, but sometimes you can still do this at evilCorp type places (if you have good management). It's also a good way to play with a new library/package that you've been reading all the cool kids are using.

If you're the type that just tends to check out without clear guidance, I'd suggest you're might not be a fit for a startup type of company.