linked post got me thinking that there are a number of jobs that can be great launching points to better careers. They're not bad in and of themselves, but maybe the pay is lower, the hours are longer, and there are more demands (and probably more growth) in that position. The real value of these kinds of jobs is in the subject matter knowledge you gain, as well as connecting you with people and industry contacts who can help land you the next position in your career. The dynamic with which I am most familiar is moving from a big law firm practice to a smaller boutique firm or an in-house position. I also have some friends who have made the leap from working in public sector to private practice of some sort. I'm sure there are other examples as well.

But the linked post makes the point that you want to do it the right way, and not necessarily jump at the first chance you get. So for those of you who have worked at a place where you "paid your dues" before moving on to something else, how did you determine when you'd maxed out your value in the "dues-paying" position? How do you (or did you) avoid becoming too stale at the "dues-paying" position? Any regrets about leaving too soon or staying too long? And any advice--general or industry-specific--for others contemplating whether and when and how to make that jump?