The issue is that over my career I have built many different tools to accomplish various “required” tasks. Yet, if I’m being honest, only 2 of them have ever actually been put to minor use. The rest were shelved for reasons out of my control (but not for a lack of capability, completeness, etc..)
I’m 10 - 15 years out from retirement and I’m annoyed that I can’t point to anything tangible that has had any impact on anyone.
I am trying to figure out if I’m lying to myself, by thinking I’ll find the proverbial greener grass somewhere else.
With that, do you find your job fulfilling?
Similarly to you I've also worked at the same place for many years now, been doing very similar things for the same customers, etc. Similar to you I've been tempted by greener pastures some place else.
However unlike you I definitely have had an impact, I know this because people have told me so, not just managers but actual users and support personnel for my product.
Like the 2 other comments above from 41209 and aprdm this is what makes my job more satisfying.
I also try to "market" my developments. By trying to document them, by sitting down with managers, with users, with new hires, and explaining them, by opening them as APIs and allowing other people to script them.
That said it's very frustrating at times since many people are stuck in their ways and some are still using the old and slow tools that were developed before I came, and I still have to support those.
People who get into the business early is lucky as they get to build new things regardless of their skill levels.
No, but it pays the bills.