47187: Zero to Z in Three: My Journey From Student to Mainframer
Project and Program:
Core Platform,
z/VM Systems Programming,
zNextGen Professional Skills
Tags:
Proceedings,
SHARE DC 2025,
2025
In this presentation, I will take you through my journey from being a college
student to becoming an IBM Mainframe programmer. I'll begin with an introduction
to my background and motivations, detailing what inspired me to pursue a career
in Z. Central to my story is my experience in the Marist-IBM Joint Study Program
in which I gained knowledge about PTP (Precision Time Protocol), which set the
stage for my professional path. Next, I'll dive into my 2024 summer IBM
internship project with the zPET Poughkeepsie team which focused on automating
tasks using Red Hat Ansible and how this experience, coupled with dedicated
training on Z systems, shaped my understanding and skills. I'll discuss the
challenges I faced while learning Z technology, how I tackled these obstacles,
and the supportive network that played a crucial role in my development. Lastly,
I'll explain why I chose a Z programming role despite having no experience prior
to my internship, discussing the pros of working with Z technology and the
invaluable support and patience I received from the Z community. My goal is to
share practical insights from a college student's perspective, highlighting the
unique opportunities and rewards of working in the world of Z.
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