From a reverse perspective, I am new to professional development but have been a long-time programmer. At the age of 45 I decided to pursue my life-long dream of being a programmer and went back to school. There was another "oldster" in my Intro to Java class. He really struggled at first because he had spent the last few decades using technology but not really understanding it. Me, on the other hand, I utterly destroyed everyone in the class. My final project was a "Dwarf Fortress" style game that utilized more advanced programming techniques, algorithms, data structures, AI etc. that was far outside the scope of the class. Not only was the class blown away but the teacher appeared threatened. I had never had programmed in Java before though I have programmed as a hobby throughout my life. But the major difference between me and the other oldster as well as me and my much younger classmates is that I have devoted my life to learn. I've never settled. I've never grown complacent. If I forget something I relearn it. If I don't know something I know where to find an answer. I believe that this is the problem with many oldsters...they get comfortable, set in their ways, entitled.
I quit school that semester as it was clear that I would be far more effective learning on my own. What was true in my Java class turned out to be true in my Linux class, my networking class and my generals. I was WAY ahead of the curve. I now work in the industry as a full-stack Javascript developer and continue to learn each day.