Hello to all forum users!

I am a 38-year-old specialist in advertising and marketing. With over 10 years of experience, I found myself facing burnout in my profession about a year ago. Realizing that I needed to make a change before it was too late, I decided to take a risk and switch careers.

After much consideration, I chose Java programming and became fully immersed in it. By mid-March, only a few months after quitting my job and diving into textbooks and coding, I had written three complete programs on my own. These included two games and a parser for job vacancies that interested me. I even incorporated patterns and JavaFX into my work.

Despite my efforts, I have come across a major obstacle in the job market. Many companies are looking for experienced Java programmers and are not interested in newcomers like myself.

Currently, I am at a crossroads. Should I continue in advertising or pursue something else to achieve my goals? I would love to hear from the community about similar experiences and how you dealt with burnout in your own job. Lastly, I want to assure everyone that I do not regret my decision to shift careers. Learning new skills is never a wasted effort!

Here's a slightly unconventional approach that might help:
1) Identify companies that you're interested in working for, ideally local or remote businesses that align with your career goals.
2) Locate their actual mailbox or email address for accepting general inquiries or job applications.
3) Write a heartfelt letter that showcases your skills, abilities, and passion for the industry. Highlight your past achievements as an advertiser and explain why you'd make a valuable addition to their team. Craft it in such a way that if you received the letter yourself, you'd read it with interest.

4) Keep an open mind and hope for the best. Even if the company isn't currently hiring, they may be impressed with your initiative and keep your application on file for future reference. This approach can also boost morale, as it's easier to handle personalized rejections than generic ones that leave you feeling dejected.

Consider leveraging your advertising experience and redirecting your focus to the IT sector instead of keeping programming as just a hobby. The software industry offers numerous avenues for distributing products and services, making it a worthwhile niche to explore.

While there will undoubtedly be gaps in your knowledge, you have the expertise to steer your learning in the right direction. For instance, someone in our company had no prior IT background and worked in television before joining us. However, through dedication and hard work, they now manage software advertising campaigns, optimize landing pages, identify target audiences, calculate conversion rates, collaborate with partners, monetize websites, configure redirects, design banners, understand basic SEO principles, analyze user behavior, optimize traffic flow, and tackle other responsibilities necessary for success.

In short, don't let your lack of coding experience hold you back from pursuing a career in the tech industry. Instead, focus on how your existing skillset can add value to this exciting and ever-evolving field.

I want to encourage your pursuit of personal development and affirm that it's never too late to reassess your career path. Speaking from experience, I spent over a decade working in finance before making a complete shift into the field of translation. It's essential to discover what aligns with your passions and interests and pursue it with conviction.

On another note, I don't quite understand why you chose Java as a programming language. In my honest opinion, Java is better suited for web applications than desktop development. However, there's no denying its popularity and versatility in the industry, so perhaps your decision was based on other factors. Ultimately, the key is to remain open-minded and adaptable as you navigate the ever-changing landscape of tech careers.

The notion that people are divided into techies and humanities starts at school for various reasons. Some students find literature and history lessons dull, while others find math and physics unengaging. Others may lack the resources or motivation to excel in all areas. However, studies have shown that a person can learn anything with consistent practice, even in аdulthood.

Neuroscientist Sandrine Thure reaffirms the brain's ability to form new neural connections and generate nerve cells through mental and physical effort. While many believe that proficiency in math is necessary for IT careers, professor Chantelle Prat's research demonstrates that language skills and problem-solving abilities are critical in programming. The Python programming language, for instance, shares commonalities with linguistics and emphasizes vocabulary and grammar over mathematical formulas.

Many individuals have successfully transitioned from humanities to IT careers, including musicians like Yervand Aghajanyan and teachers like Yulia Belova. The key to success lies in an individual's desire and dedication to learning and growing, regardless of their academic background or preconceived notions of what makes a good programmer.

It's great to hear that you took the initiative to switch careers and pursued Java programming. Learning new skills is indeed valuable, and it's important to recognize the effort you've put into it. Facing obstacles in the job market can be discouraging, especially when companies are looking for experienced individuals.

In situations like yours, it may be helpful to explore alternative paths to gain experience and enhance your resume. Here are a few steps you can consider:

1. Build a Portfolio: Continue working on personal projects and expand your portfolio. Having tangible examples of your work can help demonstrate your skills and passion to potential employers.

2. Open-Source Contributions: Contribute to open-source projects to showcase your coding abilities and collaborate with other programmers. This can provide valuable experience and allow you to network with professionals in the field.

3. Freelancing or Contract Work: Explore opportunities for freelance or contract work to gain practical experience in real-world projects. This can help you build a client base and develop a professional reputation.

4. Networking: Attend industry events, join online communities, and connect with fellow developers. Engaging with others in the field can lead to mentorship opportunities, job referrals, and valuable insights into the industry.

5. Continuous Learning: Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in Java programming. Continuously invest in your skills and consider obtaining relevant certifications or taking courses to strengthen your expertise.

few more suggestions to consider:

1. Internships or Apprenticeships: Look for internships or apprenticeship programs that specifically target career changers or individuals with less experience in the field. These opportunities can provide hands-on training and mentorship, giving you a chance to learn from experienced professionals.

2. Side Projects and Freelancing: Continue working on personal side projects or take up freelancing opportunities. This allows you to gain practical experience, build your reputation, and potentially transition into full-time employment.

3. Additional Education: Consider taking additional courses, bootcamps, or obtaining certifications in Java programming. These programs often provide focused and practical training, which can make you more marketable to potential employers.

4. Volunteer Work: Offer your skills as a volunteer to nonprofit organizations or local community groups. While unpaid, this can provide valuable experience and networking opportunities.

5. Transferable Skills: Identify and highlight transferrable skills from your previous career in advertising and marketing. Skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and project management are often highly valued in the tech industry.

6. Start Small: Consider applying for junior or entry-level positions within companies that offer growth opportunities and mentorship programs. While the starting position may not align directly with your experience, it can ser