how do you avoid burnout and getting taken advantage of?
nhashem: Here's a link to a blog post by Mark Suster a few weeks ago, which I think was listed on HN:http://www.bothsidesofthetable.com/2009/11/04/is-it-time-for...It sounds like you had some pretty negative experiences at your previous positions, but I'll bet the experience you gained puts you in a position to be a lot more successful when you do eventually start your own company.  So you were "learning," where the financial payoff isn't going to be that high and the real reward was honing your skills and expertise.I say "when you start your own company" because it seems this is your issue and it's just a matter of time before you realize it -- you've spent a lot of time "learning," and now it's time to "earn."  You can approach this a few different ways.  If your track record at your current company is good, ask them about what it would take for you to get more equity.  If the company is destined for a multi-million dollar payout, just getting a bigger piece of that pie could put your mind at ease.But I suspect what you really need to do is start putting yourself in a position to start your own company.  Brainstorm possible projects that could become startup ideas.  Start saving up money in the event you want to quit and bang out your idea over a few months or something.  Reach out in your personal network and look for possible cofounders.  The good news is that being an engineer, the execution is all in your hands.  You're not just some scrub MBA with a business plan and no way of actually executing -- you can implement any idea you want, largely because of your experience at your previous positions.Soon it won't be long before the tables are turned, and you'll be the charismatic cofounder with a huge financial stake in the company, while a bright young engineer cranks out code for a modest salary -- but with the skills he learns working for you, he could be destined for a payday of his own, and such the cycle continues.