My Role (and How I Got Here):
I currently work as a IMS Sysprog, and my journey in the Mainframe space has been shaped not just by the work I do, but by how I show up as an instructor for our Young Talents in the company and specially for the Mainframe.

How Being an Advocate Changed My Career (or Changed Me):
Becoming a mainframe instructor made me an advocate. And that did add to my experience.  It helped me:
∙ Grow my confidence by sharing what I know and learning from others.
∙ Be part of an exciting experience, I’m able to offer young people.
∙ To show young people a hidden world with wonderful colleagues, who are motivated to help them on their journey to be a professional.

A Moment That Stuck With Me:
There is not one moment – it’s the ongoing experience to work year by year with young people and my colleagues. The experience of collaboration and support in either direction.

To learn from our Young Talents and begin to open up myself to new opportunities and tools.

What I’m Known For (or Building Toward):
That you have to ask the others, what I’m known for :D – I didn’t ask for feedback. I think, what I can tell is:
∙ My contribution – that’s a fact.
∙ My enthusiasm – especially for the Z platform and the responsibility we carry.
∙ As a supporter for the Young Talents to enable them to grow in our space.

My Favorite Way to Advocate:
The way I enjoy advocating the most is:
∙ To show young people what we do on the mainframe, to buzz them about it and get them to want to work on Z.
Because it’s rather important to have young people in our secluded space to get ourselves new perspectives too.

What Keeps Me Excited About This Space:
What motivates me most is that we are kind of the backbone of the western economy. We have a responsibility and a relevance that often is not seen.
It’s what keeps me engaged and growing.

Advice for Future Advocates:
If you’re thinking about getting involved:
∙ Be excited about it.
∙ Most important is the success of the ones you advocate!
∙ Have fun.