I can’t believe you got an engineering degree and went into sales. You could be building things, instead, you are selling things that other people build, and kissing ass to get ahead. Sorry. I just hate it when people point to “networking” and “mentoring” as keys to success instead of innovation and just plain excellence. If the economy contracts, so will your salary and future plans, right? If your mentors are looking for jobs too, don’t expect a hand up.

Still you will probably do fine. But I am close to someone who is an executive at a Fortune 3 company. jg is right, you need to leave to get to the next level. If you work your way up, no matter how talented you are, your salary is always based on your last salary. The managerial and executive ranks are filled with people just trying to stay at that level, not progress, and they will steal credit and not promote anybody under them just to maintain an ever decreasing status quo. FWIW.