I can't even remember how many years I was on staff, maybe 3? Anyway, it was totally worth it. I made some really good friends, and believe it or not, drafting all those security messages helped me a lot as writer. I found my voice. I can't even begin to explain how much I learned about people, their behavior, and their motivations--information that I am now using to create more believable characters living in a world with depth and familiar societal functions. I learned how to control my tone. And while most people who don't know me think I'm kind of a bitch or a snob because of how I type (and how I speak, actually), during my time as staff I learned how to better control that so that my meaning and intentions are clearer not only through text, but also when I am speaking.
For those of you wondering if you get anything out of it: the answer is yes. If you put in the effort and approach it with the right attitude, you absolutely will be compensated in knowledge, experience, and commraderie.