For students exploring IT careers, mainframes might not be the first technology that springs to mind. Yet through the Open Mainframe Project’s Mentorship Program, part of the Linux Foundation Mentorship initiative, students are discovering both the modern vitality and career opportunity of this foundational technology.

Led by seasoned industry professionals like Misty Decker, U.S. mainframe modernization consulting leader at Kyndryl, and Bruno Azenha, global FSI tech strategy and modernization leader at Red Hat, the program pairs students with mentors who guide them through real-world projects — from research papers to content creation — that contribute to the growing ecosystem of open mainframe innovation. Azenha explains, “Mentees work on specific projects that contribute to various Open Mainframe Project projects and working groups like Zowe, COBOL Check, Modernization Working Group, and others.”

A Mentorship Built on Purpose

Each summer, selected students spend three months researching, writing, and collaborating with industry mentors to develop white papers or project deliverables tied to mainframe modernization. In 2025, four mentees — Suresh Tadisetty, Anshu Saini, Advith Krishnan, and Amrutha Rajsheker — took part in Modernization Working Group projects, creating thought leadership that broadens how businesses view the modernization of mainframe applications. “The goal of modernization is to ensure that applications are meeting the needs of the business today, which can mean modernizing on the current platform or taking advantage of other platforms,” explains Decker.

“The program really begins with the mentors,” she says. “Bruno, myself, and others look at what ideas we have — the topics we wish we had time to explore — and we design mentorships around those. Then students choose from those projects, apply, and can either earn school credit, mainframe experience, or a stipend from the Linux Foundation. It’s their paper in the end, but they’re supported every step of the way.”

To apply, mentees and mentors must meet specific criteria. Students must be legally eligible to work in their country of residence, be 18 years-old, and be enrolled in higher education. They also cannot be involved in another Linux Foundation mentorship program simultaneously and cannot be a maintainer or current contributor to the same open-source project for which the mentorship covers. Additionally, they need some familiarity with the scope of the mentorship project. Applications typically open in spring, with selection outcomes being communicated in May and projects taking place around June to September.

Mentors, on the other hand, must be affiliated with an Open Mainframe Project member or be a contributor to a project (i.e., regular contributor to the Modernization Working Group). They should have significant experience in the subject matter and skills relevant to the project and the mentees' development. Mentors also must commit to dedicate sufficient time to their mentees and cannot have third-party obligations or employment contracts that could restrict their participation.

Typically, one application is selected from more than 100 applications after each project mentor screens and shortlists about five to 10 applicants for interviews. “Applicants can apply to more than one project although in the end they will only be able to work on a single project,” Azenha says. “Strong performers are invited to further continue their journey with the working groups once their project finishes. For example, last year we had two mentees that have expanded their engagement with the Open Mainframe Project and are now leading their own activities. This is a great way to accelerate personal and professional development along with building a professional network.”

Reciprocal Learning

For mentors like Azenha, the benefits extend well beyond helping newcomers. “It’s an opportunity to revisit problems with fresh eyes,” he says. “When you collaborate with students, you rethink what you take for granted as an expert. It makes the work more accessible — not just for specialists, but for the broader industry.”

Amrutha Rajsheker, a computer science and engineering student at India’s Saveetha Engineering College who worked with Azenha on her white paper, “The Hybrid Cloud Mainframe: Opening up to Cloud-Native Developers,” began her research into how hybrid cloud could be brought to the mainframe platform using Linux-based technologies. The mentoring process not only helped Rajsheker engage with hybrid cloud and open source technologies for mainframe, but it also led Azenha to learn more about a space he’s considered to have expertise in.  “I found out that there was a Kubernetes distribution for mainframe (Rancher by SUSE) that I was unaware of, and I learned a lot alongside my mentee," he recalls.

Decker echoes Azenha’s sentiment: “Students bring tremendous focus and energy. For us, it’s a chance to turn the ideas we care about into something tangible — work that benefits the entire mainframe community.”

The time commitment, both note, is manageable. Most mentors dedicate one to four hours per week, depending on project complexity. The mentorship model’s flexibility also helps. While the official program runs June through August, some mentorships extend slightly for students’ exam or scheduling needs.

From Code to Communication

Unlike some Linux Foundation projects focused on coding skills, the Modernization Working Group emphasizes thought leadership and research-based deliverables. This approach makes participation accessible to mentors balancing other commitments while giving students experience with technical communication — a key skill in enterprise IT.

Past projects have included white papers on hybrid cloud integration and modernization strategies, as well as creative efforts like a student-produced video series on mainframe education. Rahat Khan, who was mentored by Decker in 2024, already had the video editing skills and curiosity about mainframes that she was looking for. “The aim of the project was to help people understand mainframes through a series of educational interviews,” she explains.

Mainframe Voices was his culminating project. Khan turned his experience into a YouTube following and continues producing videos for the Open Mainframe Project’s Marketing Committee, becoming what Decker calls a “technology influencer.” She adds, “Mentees often keep contributing. They help inject new energy into our community and ensure our work stays relevant to the next generation.”

Shaping the Future

Both leaders agree that mentorship is a way to build a sustainable talent pipeline while leaving a personal mark on the industry. “Share your knowledge and learn from others,” says Azenha. “It’s always enriching to coach the next generation.”

Decker adds, “Every mentorship helps bridge the gap between veteran professionals and emerging technologists. You’re not only teaching, but you’re also leaving a legacy.”

Each cohort of mentors and mentees offers a breadth of content to the mainframe community, spearheading thought leadership expand the space. For 2026, the Modernization Working Group hopes to expand beyond this year’s four mentees, constrained only by the availability mentors and program funding.