Thread: How does and old Cobol programmer become a Java programmer

Hi,

I got a BS in CS back in 1987 with a specialty of IBM mainframe and Cobol/Assembler.

I spent 15+ years as a Cobol programmer, know it like the back of my hand.

I always hated the Cobol language, felt it just was too crippled or limiting, and I dread the idea of ever going back to it.

I also haven't been working as a programmer since October 2004.

I learned some java at that job but never got past the 3rd day of a 5 day corporate class.

I've written tons of java code at home, but never did any windows or internet programming. I'd really like to do some windows or internet coding.

I'm a person who is really good at programming, and really good at learning new things. I love object oriented programming, it just seems beautiful to me (in reverse to how Cobol was so ugly).

SO - the question is - How do I reinvent myself as a Java programmer? Do I take classes at a company or community college and get some certification? Do I get a masters degree and focus on java?

I'd really like to do it in an inexpensive way. I am broke and will be tapping my Mom's retirement money to fund this education, so I really don't want to have to take too long to pay her back. So even if the Masters is the best, if community college is good enough I might prefer to go that route.

I'm in located in the NW suburbs of Chicago. I'm a female and 45 years old.

I really sincerely appreciate your help.

Nancy

You may know the market for COBOL programmers better than I do, but Micro Focus were hiring in the UK recently. I got the impression they're looking at the JVM for the future of the massive installed COBOL base and were recruiting Java programmers here. They claim to have vacancies in the US too - perhaps it's worth giving them a shot?
Careers and current vacancies - Micro Focus

I've written tons of java code at home

Is there any scope for you to offer Java transition training to COBOL programmers who *are* employed? I don't know whether SJCP would be worth having for this role (I don't have it, never been asked for it), but perhaps that might have some traction with COBOL factories?
Sun Certified Professional - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Maybe Uni staff aren't structured in the US quite the same way as they are here in the UK, but have you considered going to Uni as a teaching assistant? There is always the prospect of gaining a part-time degree while you're working at a Uni, and being a full-time TA isn't badly paid (in the UK) on the great scale of things. Experience, organisation and communication skills go further for those jobs here than bleeding-edge skillz.

I'm sorry, I can't give you any advice on how to enter commercial Java programming. If I had some advice that worked, one would reasonably expect me to have such a job myself after spending several months recently applying for them. I have a Masters in Computer Systems Engineering and a PhD in Computing, both gained 'later in life'. I've been telling people recently that my extensive academic qualifications give me an agreeably philosophical outlook on unemployment.

Have you seen programr.com? They have Java courses, free for a limited time, Available Courses | Programr -Code It Online .

You can also try free online books, Bruce Eckel's MindView, Inc: Free Electronic Book: Thinking in Java, 3rd Edition thinking in java 3rd editions is free, a bit old though, published in 2002. Free Online Java Books :: FreeTechBooks.com

Check this too, you might be interested.
Learning together

Hope that helps.
-Mel