I found this to be an area that really doesn’t want motivated people, just entry level blank slate newcomers.
I tried to get into this field for four years and gave up. I’ve got 10+ years as a UNIX guy mind you. I participated in IBM master the mainframe every year to get real hands-on experience and practice. I did IBMs courses on Coursera for more practice. I read the red books to learn even more! I also took classes at an community college on IBM midranges too as a potential alternative to mainframes; I interned at a factory and worked with RPG-IV and AS/400 way back. Yet I didn’t get a single reply to a resume I sent out, not even a follow up email.
If you really look into this, IBM and their network of partner companies that do mainframes are really only looking for entry level folks out of college or 2 year schools. My guess is that companies have slashed their mainframe budgets so much they can’t afford non-entry level folks, and assumed experienced techs won’t take the pay cuts. It won’t be until the mass retirements that organizations will really panic I suppose…
It was at least fun learning the tech though, would love to had the opportunity to learn even more. Or even just have access to a system z to continue learning on…
I tried to get into this field for four years and gave up. I’ve got 10+ years as a UNIX guy mind you. I participated in IBM master the mainframe every year to get real hands-on experience and practice. I did IBMs courses on Coursera for more practice. I read the red books to learn even more! I also took classes at an community college on IBM midranges too as a potential alternative to mainframes; I interned at a factory and worked with RPG-IV and AS/400 way back. Yet I didn’t get a single reply to a resume I sent out, not even a follow up email.
If you really look into this, IBM and their network of partner companies that do mainframes are really only looking for entry level folks out of college or 2 year schools. My guess is that companies have slashed their mainframe budgets so much they can’t afford non-entry level folks, and assumed experienced techs won’t take the pay cuts. It won’t be until the mass retirements that organizations will really panic I suppose…
It was at least fun learning the tech though, would love to had the opportunity to learn even more. Or even just have access to a system z to continue learning on…