This is more of an extreme generalization than an ironclad rule, but a lot of beginner Java positions are in depressing companies that are not fun and exciting

This is more of an extreme generalization than an ironclad rule, but a lot of beginner Java positions are in depressing companies that are not fun and exciting to work at and do mind-numbingly boring stuff. The tradeoff for that is probably better than average job options: if/when you get laid off or outsourced, there's always a lot of options. That said, Java itself can be a tool to work on pretty interesting problems of course. But you're probably going to take some time to work your way up there.