Experienced programmer, but beginner in Java

Hi - I have 38 years experience in a variety of languages, mostly on Windows, but also some on Unix. I've found my skills (VB.NET) are no longer marketable - I've been searching for 9 months in the DC area for a job and no luck. Everyone wants Java and related skills.

I am thinking of doing volunteer work for someone where I can immerse myself in Java, Spring, Hibernate, J2EE, SOAP, all the requirements I find on job openings these days, in the hopes of picking it up fast on the job, and then be able to market myself again. I don't know if this is realistic or not, but I have not found another way of breaking into this market, and I desperately need to earn a living again.

Does anyone know of where I could volunteer and give free programming services in return for some guidance for learning these things along the way?

Thanks for any help or suggestions someone may have.

Gene

Gene Long wrote:
Does anyone know of where I could volunteer and give free programming services in return for some guidance for learning these things along the way?

Thanks for any help or suggestions someone may have.
Gene

Are you looking for specific organizations, or general ideas? If the latter, the one obvious thing that pops to mind is schools, from elementary up through university. Another option is to place an ad or troll local charity organizations. There are almost certainly a few that could use some technical help but can't afford to pay professionals. I would imagine, though, that you'd end up being a jack of all trades, and your Java learning opportunities would come in the form of stuff you do to make your work easier, or recognizing an opportunity where they can do something more easily with the help of software.

Good luck, and welcome to the Ranch!

Moved from 'New to Java'

edit I see you didn't ever return to your earlier thread. Please don't make it a habit to start a discussion and disappear.

Gene Long wrote:Hi - I have 38 years experience in a variety of languages, mostly on Windows, but also some on Unix. I've found my skills (VB.NET) are no longer marketable - I've been searching for 9 months in the DC area for a job and no luck. Everyone wants Java and related skills.

I am thinking of doing volunteer work for someone where I can immerse myself in Java, Spring, Hibernate, J2EE, SOAP, all the requirements I find on job openings these days, in the hopes of picking it up fast on the job, and then be able to market myself again. I don't know if this is realistic or not, but I have not found another way of breaking into this market, and I desperately need to earn a living again.

Does anyone know of where I could volunteer and give free programming services in return for some guidance for learning these things along the way?

Thanks for any help or suggestions someone may have.

Gene

If the goal of all of this is to obtain a job -- I would recommend using your professional network first. With 38 years of experience, there has got to be some former colleague, or friend, in dire need of your skills. Look them up.

Job Websites, Volunteer work, and Certifications, are all good, but with that much experience, why ignore your best resource?

Henry

Jeff - yes, I'm looking for specific organizations. Hadn't thought of schools. I'd been looking at non-profits, but charities is also a good idea, I will try to widen my scope.

Darryl - Sorry, I guess I'm not clear on what to do to finish that thread. Maybe I should have just said thanks for the info?

Henry - I've been trying to do that for 9 months - I'm not a very good networker, and tend to lose contact with people. But I've tried the ones I remember with no luck. But the main problem seems to be that I can't find a job that will take training in lieu of on the job experience, and I haven't found an employer yet that will take my past experience as evidence that I can learn something new. Also, while I can in theory download all the software, I could really use a real live ongoing project that I could join, so I can see first-hand how all the pieces of software fit together. If I could find a way of being in an environment where all this was actively being used, and I was allowed to participate, I know I could pick it up quickly.

Someone suggested open-source java projects on the web that I could volunteer for. Not sure if that would do it, but I may look around for those also.

Thanks for the suggestions - any more are also welcome.

Gene