During the IBM Z day, I attended a session hosted by John Mertic, where he gave a detailed explanation of the Open Mainframe Project. The exciting part is that they have a program for University students. As a student, you can contribute to Open Source Software and launch your career in enterprise computing by joining the Open Mainframe Project Mentorship program.
What is the Open Mainframe Project mentorship program?
The Linux Foundation hosts the Open Mainframe Project mentorship program. They intend to provide you with specialized training in the development and deployment of software programs on Linux. There is a demand for mainframe technicians/engineers who are highly skilled. The program is used as a bridge to solve this problem. As a mentee, you will have the chance to expand your knowledge, contribute to Open Source Software and develop your career in enterprise computing.
Benefits of joining the OPM mentorship project
The advantage of joining the program that stands out for me is that you will present your work to a larger audience of potential employers at the OMP industry event. Check out the past presentations here.
These are some of the other benefits:
Get a mentor – You will be assigned a mentor who will work with you throughout the program. At the beginning of the program, you set your expectations and goals for the project. Your mentor will schedule weekly calls to discuss the progress of your project and the challenges that you might be facing. As a developer, it is more efficient to use video calls because you can share code and all the necessary documents.
Receive a stipend – The participants of the 2020 program were paid $6000 in total. They received their payments after completing each phase. After completing the first phase, you get $500, then you receive $2500 after completing phase two, and finally, you get $3000 after presenting your work at the industry event.
Be work-ready – You will learn technologies and methods that professional mainframe engineers use. You will stand a good chance of getting employed at the end of the program.
Your responsibilities during the program
First phase:
The first phase of the project includes planning, designing your project. The mentees are required to submit their plan. The mentorship program admin reviews your plan and either approves or rejects it.
Second phase:
In the second phase, the mentee implements their plan. You are required to submit a documented design of your project and start coding.
Third phase:
The mentees are required to submit a working software program that is fully documented and a video presentation.
Apart from completing the program requirements, you need to develop a healthy working relationship with your mentor. Pitch up on time for meetings, discuss methods of communication and respect your mentor.
How you to get into the program
You will find applications on the Open Mainframe Project website.
Applications open three times per year for four weeks only.
Option 1 – From March to May
Applications open from the 15th of January to the 12th of February
Option 2 – From June to August
Applications open from the 15th of April to the 14th of May
Option 3 – From September to November
Applications open from the 15th of July to the 14th of May
References
1. Open Mainframe Project, 2021. mentorship program. [Online]
Available at: https://www.openmainframeproject.org/projects/mentorship-program
[Accessed September 2021].
2. The Linux Foundation, 2021. mentorship program timelines. [Online]
Available at: https://docs.linuxfoundation.org/lfx/mentorship/mentorship-program-timelines
[Accessed September 2021].