Attending the SHARE Orlando Conference as a college student was an eye-opening moment in my academic journey. The opportunity to experience a professional conference of this scale is not something most students get to do.
This opportunity was made possible through the mentorship of my Professor Scott Piersall, whose guidance introduced me to enterprise computing and pushed me beyond the classroom into hands-on, real-world learning opportunities. From the beginning, he encouraged curiosity, hands-on learning, and confidence in spaces that can often feel intimidating for students. Through his mentorship, I was introduced to the world of z/OS, enterprise systems, and the broader professional community that surrounds the mainframe platform. His belief in my abilities gave me the confidence to pursue projects and opportunities I may not have otherwise considered.
At SHARE, I had the privilege of connecting with representatives from IBM, Broadcom, 21CS, and Software AG. For readers unfamiliar with SHARE, it is a multi-day conference that brings together thousands of professionals, students, and organizations across numerous technical tracks covering all aspects of enterprise systems. Engaging directly with professionals from these organizations allowed me to see how enterprise systems function on a global scale.
Many of the individuals I spoke with had decades of experience in the industry. They shared insights about modernization efforts, mainframe system reliability, security demands, and the evolving integration of mainframes with newer technologies. What surprised me most was how open and encouraging these experts were toward students, and how naturally our conversations connected classroom concepts to real-world challenges. Meeting them helped bring the things I had learned in class to life, and understanding their career paths reinforced the importance of adaptability and continuous learning.
Applying Classroom Knowledge and Showcasing Student Innovation
One of the most meaningful aspects of the conference was being able to share my own work — HazelHub, my personal website hosted on z/OS.
Developing HazelHub was the result of applying classroom knowledge to a real-world platform, managing configurations, and understanding the architecture behind hosting environments. Being able to explain this project to industry professionals demonstrated how much I’ve grown technically and professionally since. Even more importantly, it also sparked thoughtful discussions and ideas about the future of mainframe innovation.
The opportunity to earn digital badges through hands-on labs and coursework was fantastic and highly rewarding. I’ve now earned over 40 digital badges, all issued through Credly, including major milestones, such as the IBM Z101 badge and the IBM Mainframe Practitioner badge. These badges represent verified technical competencies and reflect my ability and commitment to developing specialized skills in mainframe, which are sure to be valuable credentials when pursuing internships and early career roles.
The conference also opened doors to other significant opportunities as well. Conversations with company representatives naturally led to discussions about summer internship programs and potential entry-level positions. Learning about structured pathways into the industry made my long-term goals feel tangible. Before attending SHARE, I often wondered whether breaking into enterprise computing would feel unclear or intimidating, but hearing directly from professionals eased those doubts and showed me that there is a clear path forward.
Ultimately, attending SHARE Orlando was more than just a conference experience. It was a moment of transition from student to emerging professional. With the support of Professor Scott Piersall and the encouragement of the professionals I was fortunate to meet during my time at SHARE, I left the conference with greater confidence, stronger connections, and a clearer vision for how I can continue expanding my experience in the world of enterprise computing.
Hazel Joseph is a junior majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Mathematics at the University of North Florida, with interests in AI, quantum computing, and emerging technologies. She has experience building and deploying full‑stack web applications and working with mainframe technologies in z/OS environments, earning over 40 technical badges and certifications, including IBM Z credentials. Hazel currently serves as UNF’s student body president and a member of the Board of Trustees, contributing to university‑wide governance and strategic planning. She also brings strong financial leadership experience, having managed multi‑million‑dollar budgets in student government and Greek life.
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