In theory, scrum is supposed to provide intentional non-ticket time after retro and before the next ipm/scrum meeting. That time can and should be used for learning, hacking, contributing, etc.
The first rule of software methodology: no matter what the methodology proposes, professional “managers” will turn it into a micromanaged waterfall process.
Are there still places left that don't do scrum? Hopeless to put "I am working for a workplace that does not practice scrum/sprints" in my cover letter?
Reality of course differs.