What does success look like after more than 50 years of writing software? For Jim McMaster, it comes down to staying curious, solving problems, and never stopping the learning process.

In this episode of the Mile High Success Podcast, Nick Elder sits down with Jim McMaster, a veteran software engineer whose career spans an incredible period of change in technology. Jim shares stories from the early days of programming, his transition from IBM 370 assembler to Java, and his experience as the fourth person on the team that eventually produced Google Drive.

Jim also gives listeners a fascinating look behind the scenes at the early thinking that helped shape Google Drive. He explains why he pushed for a familiar files-and-folders structure and how the team thought about making file sharing simple for users.

The conversation then turns to artificial intelligence and the major changes AI is bringing to software development. Jim explains that AI can write code and research solutions much faster than he can on his own. But speed comes with a tradeoff. Instead of personally solving every programming puzzle, his role is increasingly about directing AI, reviewing its work, spotting problems, and making sure the final code is right.

Jim and Nick also explore one of the biggest themes of Jim's career: continual learning. Jim talks about studying at MIT, changing direction from chemistry to computer science, building knowledge beyond his main field, and continuing to learn even after decades of experience.

For anyone building a career in technology—or simply trying to stay relevant in a changing world—Jim offers a simple lesson: read other people's work, ask for feedback, keep practicing, and never assume you are finished learning.