Played it too safe? Like you mean took a job where you only have to show up and do what you are told? I have relatives who work at jobs like this when they have advanced degrees. They are way over-qualified for the gruntwork jobs they do. But they just don't want to ever be on the firing line.

You take a job with responsibilities and decisions to be made, and you become a target of everyone above and below you. I have been through this at 4 companies over 22 years. My relatives say I'm a fool because have been under seige for years when their bosses LOVE them just for showing up.