The quest for 'interesting work'-will it ever be met?

This genesis for this post came from a recent debate with a colleague about the linkage between interest in work, attention to detail and the resultant mistake(s). In that discussion, I realized that like many others of my generation, I was guilty of wanting to pick the work I wanted to do, and paying 100% attention only to that! When I spoke informally later on this subject to the recruiters, even they voiced the view that interact with the younger generation(school/college/post grad etc) and one resounding message which comes out is the zeal for work that 'adds meaning', 'is interesting' and is non routine. While I agree that few people would want monotonous clerical jobs by choice(when they are capable of much more), the fact remains that no one can be a CEO from the entry level itself-unless he sets up his own organization. In any setup with division of labour, people at the bottom end of the totem pole('entry level') do get the short end of the stick, in terms of initially mind numbing routine tasks till they prove themselves. After all, what better(and safer) way for the employer to assess the obedience, commitment and dedication of the employee, than to assign such work? That is why fraternities have 'rites of passage', student bodies have 'hazing'-all with the intent of making the new entrant 'pay his dues'. Assigning routine work at entry level is an organizational way of making the new entrant pay his view. Think of it this way, the existing staff are devoting their time/efforts on you. Taking burden/pain off their heads is a way of repaying the 'guru dakhshina'.

So when you want to resign your job to escape that mechanical/routine work, look for that light at the end of the tunnel before putting in your papers. That interesting work you looked for, may just come your way with some well timed moves/organizational shifts. But remember that with the increasing trend towards automation/process driven tasks, there is more chance of work becoming routine, than of it becoming more creative/involved. So try to find fun in your existing 'routine' work-light the candle instead of cursing the darkness.