Old person here needing direction/suggestions
Posted by IGuessThisCouldBeFun@reddit | learnprogramming | View on Reddit | 6 comments
Back in 2022 I did a coding bootcamp and learned front-end. After that, I joined a training program for Java with a path to a job. I got through core to mid-level Java, but I didn’t follow through on the paid Spring Boot training. I got distracted by a relationship and never pursued a developer job.
Now it’s about 4 years later. I still remember most everything(just rusty), and I have plenty of completed projects.
Did I mess this up completely? Is it still realistic to break into this field at 50, or should I look for something else entirely?
Looking for honest input.
EfficientMongoose317@reddit
You didn’t miss your chance, but the approach matters a lot now
At 50, breaking in is less about competing with juniors and more about positioning yourself differently
You already have something valuable
life experience, discipline, and likely better communication than most entry level candidates
The key is Don’t aim for generic junior roles
instead
target smaller companies, internal tools, or roles where reliability and ownership matter more than raw speed
Also consider combining skills
like tech + domain knowledge, or freelancing on small projects to build recent experience
Your biggest gap isn’t ability, it’s recency. If you can show recent work and consistency, it becomes much more realistic. It’s not easy, but it’s definitely possible if you play it strategically
IGuessThisCouldBeFun@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
coder155ml@reddit
Do you have a relevant degree?
IGuessThisCouldBeFun@reddit (OP)
No, I just did the bootcamp for the cert.
coder155ml@reddit
If you aren’t in the field yet and those are your only qualifications, the future may be bleak. It’s not exactly easy to get a job these days, even for those with years of experience..
chocolate_asshole@reddit
start small build one new project in java spring and apply anyway finding dev work now is way harder