How I Found My Path into Mainframe

Education / Background:
I studied at Control Data Institute and received a certificate in Computer Programming and Operations and started my career in Computer operation and systems engineering.

How I Discovered Mainframe:
I was thinking of going into an accounting background but could not see myself working day in and out on spreadsheets.   Working at a department store I was fascinated by the number of computer reports that we received to check if we were correctly invoiced and also sent in inventory ticket from sold goods to do automatic inventory reordering.  So, I found a trade school and started my career.

My First Steps:
I began by being a second shift computer operator.  I was lucky to work with the lead programmer and our IBM system engineer. They were great mentors and thanks to them they put me on a great course to build my lifelong skills.

Where I Am Today:
Today, I’m an Expert Systems Engineer working with an IBM Z system and responsibilities to maintain the entire support and operations of the IBM Z and other servers we need for our operation.  I also maintain software contracts for all of our system and application software for the IBM Z.

Advice for Others:
You can come from any background and make a career.  One of the best assembler and COBOL programmer I know had a college degree in archaeology.  If you have drive and desire to learn about the best computer platform then IBM Z is it.