Welcome to the real world:-) In my view, that's where interesting side projects come in. Either "side of desk" projects at your company, if you're fortunate enough to work for one which encourages or at least recognises innovation and/or has some form of incentive mechanism, e.g. management who actually know something about technology and who might actually be impressed by your enthusiasm and extra-curricular activities and consider you for promotion or a bonus or whatever as a result. Or if you really are in a dead end job with none of that, then side projects in your own time that keep you interested in technology and your skills current and which might even help you get your next job.