Boomer? No, my parents are though. I’ve just had success by getting a job at 21 as one of the lowest paid positions, worked hard, took on projects above my pay grade, and was eventually rewarded for it. I’ve been associated with the same corporation in various roles for 17 years. I’ve seen graphics interns carve out positions as web developers, CAD technicians move up to engineers, and staff accountants become BI leaders. I have a buddy who started in sales support, had an opportunity to start managing and is now a VP. So in my experience it works to work hard. The thing all my anecdotes have in common is they don’t have any hint of a defeatist attitude.