This is what I have come to guess. I've talked about some issues I've had to certain people and I was told they probably expected free stuff in exchange of the promotion it would've given me, which can be fair I understand but it isn't what I'm looking for. People tell me the same thing you did. "Look at it as an investment". I understand the strategy it's fair. But again, at the time it isn't what I was looking for.

But I could be missing something and I shouldn't vent my frustration over this so openly.