Add some searching to your address book. If you didn't already do it. Add ordering with max limits

Find simple projects on github and other websites. Run them yourself. Modify the code and make small changes. This is a great way to learn how to do more complex things.

PHP laravel is better. Of course if you want to leverage asynchronous stuff you could use node.js. Its great for that. Depends on the usage.

nice. i like

If you want to make changes. Do it slowly and carefully. You would need buy in from your peers and managers. That would be a lot harder than it seems. However working relentlessly might cause you to be taken advantage of with little rewards. The real programming world is often a lot more messy that the culture suggests. It also varies depending on where you are coming from ( country wise). Be wary of the hype and figure out want you want from a job. If you're happy with a good salary you could always be creative on the side, as long as the job hours aren't too demanding. Businesses exists to make money primarily so software development is not an art it that sense just a means to an end. A company that practices high standards is great but if they don't that shouldn't stop you from working there unless it is a life and death situation. Of course it really is up to you.