For instance, if you are hired as a software tester, and snag a task setting up the automated build system, you can turn that into a higher paid dev ops careeer.

Some people thrive in highly structured environments where they can optimize for metrics and get promotions - they do well in small companies. Others collect skills and achievements and use those to push their career forward - they do well in small companies and consulting. The world needs both.

With that said, knowing when to say no is very important as you say.

Be thoughtful in what you evaluate as a "bogus" task. What is hard or complex isn't always what is important or noticed.

> Be thoughtful in what you evaluate as a "bogus" task.

Well, no. a business is all about money and if the engineers can bill they shouldn't waste their time on anything else. Management in a firm basically exists to facilitate billable hours so the employee here is right, both personally and professionally, in realizing that this is not only silly but corporate suicide.

> What is hard or complex isn't always what is important or noticed.

This is true. If you have a chance to pick your boss's suit up before a meeting or drive them to the airport it is probably worth doing, little favors go a long way.