Why You Are Never Too Old to Learn Java (or Any Programming Language)
When Wendy McKenzie retired from her nursing career at age 58, she could have spent her days golfing, gardening, or perfecting her famous snickerdoodle recipe. Instead, the plucky Arizona resident decided to learn to code.
Though she initially doubted whether her graying hair would fit in among the young hacker crowd, Wendy took the plunge and enrolled in a local Java course aimed at beginners. A year later, not only had she built several of her own Android apps, but she was volunteering as a mentor for other seniors keen to learn programming.
Wendy‘s story may seem like an outlier, but it‘s becoming increasingly common. According to 2021 survey data from HackerRank, 10.5% of professional developers are 45 or older – a number that has grown steadily in recent years. And another poll by Codecademy found that 4 in 10 respondents over 56 were learning to code purely for personal enrichment.
The verdict is clear: You are never too old to dive into programming languages like Java. In fact, your decades of wisdom and experience can give you a distinct advantage in your quest to become a developer.
Reason 1: Programming ability is not dependent on age
It‘s a pervasive myth that only young people can become successful coders. But piles of research show that the human brain remains "plastic" — that is, malleable and able to create new neural pathways — well into late adulthood. A study by researchers at Harvard and MIT even suggests that certain mental abilities like problem-solving don‘t peak until age 30 or later.
What‘s more, there are countless examples of people across the globe learning to code in their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond. A quick Google search yields headlines like "This 82-year-old woman just created her first iPhone app" and "Meet the 81-year-old Japanese woman who started coding at 60".
While some elements of programming rely on the ability to concentrate for long periods and stare at screens, the core of coding is really about logic, creativity, and systematic problem-solving — skills that have little to do with age. With the proper training, even those getting a bit long in the tooth can adapt to the abstractions and jargon of Java or Python.
Reason 2: Age and life experience provide valuable perspective
As a full-stack developer who learned to code in my 30s, I can personally attest to the advantages of having some life experience under your belt. When you‘ve been around the block a few times, you develop certain abilities that can‘t be taught in any computer science class.
Older learners tend to have a solid understanding of their intellectual strengths and weaknesses, and they know what strategies and environments help them learn best. This self-awareness can prevent you from getting frustrated and giving up when the going gets tough.
All those years of work and life experience can also help you grasp programming concepts faster. Whereas a college freshman might struggle with the database lesson, you can relate it to that inventory management system you used for decades at your office job. When the tutorial explains objects and classes, you have a real-world frame of reference from all the cars or homes you‘ve owned.
In addition, soft skills often come more naturally to mature professionals, and they‘re hugely important for career success as a developer. Knowing how to communicate well, manage projects, and collaborate with colleagues will put you ahead of the pack when you‘re looking for programming jobs. So don‘t discount your hard-earned wisdom — it can take you far in the world of coding.
Reason 3: Online courses and resources level the playing field
Back in the day, changing careers often meant investing four years and a hefty chunk of savings into getting another university degree. Now, a wealth of online courses, interactive tutorials, and discussion forums have made it easier than ever to learn programming on your own timeline and budget.
What‘s great about the online ecosystem is that age doesn‘t have to be a factor at all. No one cares if you‘re 18 or 80 when you‘re participating in an open-source project on GitHub or asking for debugging help on Stack Overflow. Your code and abilities speak for themselves.
And there are so many free and low-cost resources aimed at beginning coders, no matter their background:
- Codecademy offers a slew of introductory courses in web development, programming, and data science
- freeCodeCamp boasts hundreds of tutorials and hands-on coding challenges
- Udemy has a huge selection of Java courses for all levels, often on sale for $10-$20 each
- Coursera partners with top universities to provide full Java specializations with video lectures and graded projects
Especially for those interested in Java, there‘s no shortage of learning materials to get you started. The hardest part is simply choosing a resource and diving in!
Reason 4: Demand for Java skills remains high
Despite being over 25 years old, Java continues to dominate as one of the most popular and widely-used programming languages. It powers everything from Android apps to enterprise software to Internet of Things devices. And that versatility translates into amazing career prospects.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of software developers will grow 22% from 2020 to 2030 – much faster than the average for all occupations. And many of those roles will require Java skills. An analysis by Emsi found over 1.1 million job postings seeking Java programmers between October 2020 and September 2021 alone.
What‘s more, Java developers garner high salaries across the board. The average base pay for a Java Developer in the United States is $97,859 per year according to Glassdoor. Even entry-level Java programmers can expect to earn around $60k starting out.
The takeaway? Java skills are in demand and highly compensated, with no signs of slowing down. By learning this stalwart language, older beginners can access a wealth of well-paying job opportunities now and into the future.
Reason 5: Java is beginner-friendly
Java has many characteristics that make it a great choice for rookie coders. First, Java has a straightforward syntax that‘s easy to read and understand compared to some other languages. It‘s also an object-oriented programming (OOP) language, which allows you to create modular, reusable code.
Moreover, Java boasts an incredibly rich ecosystem of frameworks, libraries and development tools. The Spring Framework, for instance, streamlines the creation of enterprise-level applications. And JavaServer Faces provides a simple way to build user interfaces for web apps.
Having these popular tools at your disposal means you can build real-world projects faster and more efficiently. That‘s a huge confidence booster when you‘re just starting out.
Another advantage is the vast global community of Java developers you can turn to for support. According to SlashData, over 7.6 million programmers use Java worldwide. No matter what snag you hit, you can almost always find a fellow Java coder who has encountered the same issue and can help you troubleshoot.
With its blend of simplicity, practicality, and community support, Java is an ideal on-ramp into the world of coding for older learners.
Reason 6: Learning to code has mental health benefits
Engaging in mentally stimulating activities is crucial for maintaining brain health as we age. And multiple studies have shown that learning new and complex skills like digital photography or quilting can enhance memory function and processing speed in older adults.
But why settle for ho-hum hobbies when you could be stretching your mental muscles with something as challenging and rewarding as programming? The focused concentration required to solve coding problems is like a workout for your frontal lobe. A Cambridge study even found that learning to code can boost cognitive skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity.
What‘s more, research suggests that the sense of mastery and purpose you gain from acquiring new abilities can enhance mental well-being at any life stage. Older adults who learn to code often report feeling a renewed sense of accomplishment, social connectedness, and self-confidence.
For Hiroaki Maruya, an 84-year-old retired banker in Japan, teaching himself to code has become an exciting "second career." He spends up to 10 hours a day working on his Android apps and even co-launched a startup to support other senior programmers.
"I feel like I‘m getting smarter every day," Maruya told The Japan Times. "I‘m the happiest I‘ve ever been."
The Last Word on Learning to Code Later in Life
The bottom line is that age alone should never stop someone from learning and growing, no matter the subject. So cast aside those outdated notions that coding is only for the young. With a bit of curiosity, determination and the right resources, you can absolutely become a programmer at any stage of life.
As the famous author C.S. Lewis once wrote, "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." Why not make that dream learning Java — or JavaScript, or Ruby, or another language that catches your fancy?
Take a cue from Wendy and countless other older coders who‘ve found joy and fulfillment in this challenging new pursuit. Believe in your ability to wrap your head around variables, loops, and if-else statements. Tap into all that built-up wisdom and tenacity to propel you over the hurdles.
Armed with your life experience and ample support from the online coding community, you can and will become a programmer. It‘s never too late to embark on this exhilarating journey. Someday, with persistence and practice, you too could be the silver-haired superstar showing the young whippersnappers how it‘s done.
For those ready to take the plunge, here are some great resources to start your Java journey:
- Learn Java Tutorial – an interactive step-by-step guide for complete beginners
- Head First Java – a beginner-friendly book that explains core Java concepts in a highly visual way
- Oracle Java Tutorials – the official tutorials from Java‘s creators, ranging from basic to advanced topics
- CodeGym – a gamified Java course that focuses on hands-on practice and real-world projects
- /r/javahelp – a welcoming Reddit community where you can ask Java questions and get support from fellow learners
No matter your coding goals, there has never been a better time to learn Java. With abundant learning resources and a booming job market, programmers of all ages can find success in this powerful language. The only limit is your imagination – so why wait? Start your Java journey today!