The mainframe continues to thrive and is attractive to college students and early-career professionals — Generation Z — for its legacy, reputation, and value. At the SHARE D.C. conference this spring, many student attendees experienced the valuable technical education SHARE is known for alongside mainframe stalwarts — who could possibly be future colleagues and mentors!
SHARE’s Editorial Advisory Committee Chair Anthony Anter made an effort to connect with students, including one Victor Taiwo, a junior at Northern Illinois University studying computer science. We interviewed him on his interests, innovations, perspective on Gen Z and the mainframe, and more.
SHARE: Can you share a bit about yourself?
Victor Taiwo (VT): I am an IBM Z student ambassador, and a Broadcom intern. I'm currently in Chicago, Illinois, working on my mainframe AI software startup. I'm extremely excited about mainframe technology and its significance. I enjoy reading science fiction books — my favorite being Dune — having philosophical talks, playing soccer as an outdoor exercise, and problem-solving.
SHARE: What sparked your interest in mainframe computing?
VT: The technology's prominence and economic significance. Understanding how mainframes are the driving force behind the financial, health care, commercial, and other industries has taught me that the world relies on them more than people know. After doing additional research on the technology, I realized it was an industry with a greater sense of purpose. One month later, I became an IBM Z student ambassador for my school, and spoke to my computer science department on IBM Z16, Telum processor, Harvard Mark I, UNIVAC I, IBM System/360, and how to use the IBM Z Xplore website. I owe a lot to Professor Geoffrey Decker, an IBM Champion for many years and an instructor at Northern Illinois University, who helped me expand my passion for the technology and gave me advice on various facets of the business.
SHARE: Which area of mainframe computing fascinates you the most?
VT: As a student in mainframe computing, I find the integration of AI and quantum computing absolutely fascinating because they show what these systems can achieve. The AI accelerator chips in newer mainframes like the z16 makes it easy to analyze real-time transactions at scale, completely revolutionizing how financial systems and health care industries can use predictive analytics. The way quantum computing intersects with mainframe environments is exciting, promising computational capabilities that could change everything from cryptography to complex simulations that were previously impossible to execute.
SHARE: What advice would you give to other students who want to learn more about mainframe computing?
VT: IBM's websites provide excellent explanations of mainframes and their history for those who wish to learn more about them. The IBM Z Xplore website provides both basic and advanced information on mainframe topics and various approaches to problem-solving, which is ideal for students like me who are more hands-on. Additionally, the IBM Z mainframe skills depot offers a wealth of practical information and labs that can earn you accredited badges to increase demand, and the Open Mainframe project offers programming courses that are beneficial for expanding knowledge of mainframe technologies.
SHARE: How was your experience at SHARE D.C.?
VT: SHARE D.C. was a remarkable event. I was astonished by the amazing energy of this evolving, tightly connected group of brilliant people who were bound together by their commitment to mainframe innovation. Meeting Joe Winchester and discussing topics like soccer, TN3270, and Zowe was a memorable experience. He also suggested a fantastic book to me called "The Human Interface," which I found to be really helpful. I had the opportunity to speak with Eduardo J. Ciliendo of 21CS, thanks to Prof. Geoffrey Decker, and we talked about his experience and valuable guidance for a young professional like me.
SHARE: How can the mainframe community better engage Gen Z and encourage them to pursue careers in this field?
VT: The mainframe community can better engage Gen Z and encourage them to pursue careers in this field by being open to ideas from a younger generation. Being in an industry where young talents like myself tend to be more pupils than pioneers in the technology, leveraging challenging ideas from younger generations is a vital way to progress. Integration of current technologies is also important. The biggest fallacy I hear from younger developers is that everything on the mainframe is legacy. Being willing to hire young talent is also important; 18 students from my university attended SHARE this year, and the number will keep growing.
SHARE: What are your plans or dreams for the future after graduation?
VT: My plan for the future is to own a mainframe company, I am currently working with some of my peers at Northern Illinois University on a mainframe software start-up that can change how developers write code in their terminals. Mainframe modernization is important more than ever, and I intend on leaving a mark on the mainframe ecosystem. I am inspired by the greats in this industry like Gene Amdahl, Howard Aiken, J. Presper Eckert, Joe Winchester, Geoffrey Decker, Eduardo J. Ciliendo, and many more. I am currently an intern at Broadcom and hope to pursue a career at an influential company after graduation.
Connect with Victor on LinkedIn.