Once in a great while I reflect on a few of my big successes at Megacorp. I honestly think I made some contributions. I worked on one issue which could have ultimately cost the company nearly a quarter of its business. I most certainly didn't "solve" that issue by myself, but I was at the right place at the right time and was able to train folks so I was no longer the only one to do all the w*rk within my area of expertise. Yes, we w*rked together and saved the product and it thrived going forward.
Now, 35 years later, I know of maybe one or two folks who would even recall that I was involved or that I contributed. That's because they had their rolls in the process - just like I did but in a different way. What I think about is that as far as Megacrorp is concerned, I only exist as a bunch of 1s and 0s to be sure I get my pension and the occasional 401(k) communication. I can still call in to report my death (Hmmmm), check my 401(k) balance, alter my minimalist company-provided retirement insurance death benefit beneficiary, etc. etc. Otherwise, it's as if I never existed.
Realistically, if you were never CEO or President or whatever, it's unlikely a half dozen folks you ever knew at Megacorp would even recall your name. I've wondered from time to time if that should bother me. It occurred to me that worrying about how I was remembered or even IF I was remembered would be the height of arrogance.
Why do you think they call it Megacorp, kid?
I won't think about this again for another 10 years if I live so long. Now returning you to our regularly scheduled thread topic as YMMV.