My second tenure as IBM Z Ambassador is coming to an end. I’m writing this with mixed feelings. On one hand, I will have a bit more time to study for the upcoming exams. On the other hand, I will miss our coaching sessions, the people, the events – everything!

Being a Z Ambassador means embracing the lifelong learning that comes with studying and working in computer science. Acquiring lots of technical skills like COBOL, Python, REXX, JCL, and many more through the IBM Z Xplore. Learning about the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Obtaining soft skills by organizing and hosting events. Improving on public speaking skills. Connecting with and learning from many interesting and experienced people of the IBM Z world, IBMers and Z Ambassadors alike, not to forget the community managers of International Connector and Your Big Year.

Events
It was wonderful to see how supportive IBMers but also “outsiders” are when students approach them to be speakers for their events. Twice, I was part of a group of Z Ambassadors who organized an event series. We enjoyed great teamwork in all stages of the event planning and shared tasks like finding and communicating with panelists, marketing, promoting, as well as sharing during the event itself the tasks of hosting, chat moderation on both Zoom and Discord, and (technical) support. We had many great panelists, it’s impossible to name them all. However, one of them I would like to point out here: Joris Mertens, Developer Advocate IBM Z. He once mentioned that he is passionate about technology in every sense. And that was highly obvious during every single event, no matter the subject. It was a pleasure to listen to his discussions with Reinhold M. Karner and Prof. Dr. Christoph Beierle on artificial intelligence, as well as with Dr. Martin Maehler and Prof. Dr. Christian Beecks on analytics and entering the job market. He can also give great insight on cybersecurity and programming languages.

IBM Executives Roundtable
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of participating with other Z Ambassadors in a roundtable with the IBM Executives Meredith Stowell, Yvette LaMar and Joe Winchester. Their reflections that stuck with me most I’d like to mention here to inspire others as well:

• trust your gut
• emotions are your strength
• your opinion is valued in the room
• don’t be afraid to speak up, always voice your opinions and thoughts
• be kind, be nice
• the smallest words can carry a lot of gravity
• if you don’t have something nice to say, say nothing
• do not think you are the smartest person in the room because you will not be
• the best ideas often come from the most surprising places
• always be a team player
• if someone else is talking, listen and give them the respect that they need even if you think their idea is wrong
• don’t fight, collaborate
• never stop learning
• don’t be afraid of trying new things, don’t be afraid of failing
• do what you love and call it work
• If you can find the right group of people, the right environment, the place where the energy level matches your own and you feel welcome and valued, everything else takes care of itself and you end up being paid to do what you love getting up for each morning.

All of them great advice to embrace and live by.

Conclusion
One thing is for sure – the end of the IBM Z Ambassador program for this cohort will not mark the end of events and courses around IBM Z. It’s such a versatile and interesting platform. In case you think that mainframes are a thing of the past, just have a glance at the things you can do with them and join the Z Ambassador cohort next year to enrich your own learning journey: