Enterprise technology requires mainframers to move with precision, excellent timing, and up-to-date skills — both technical know-how and soft skills. This September for National Learning and Development Month, mainframers at all career stages can seize their talent upgrade with this playbook, put together with advice from SHARE members.
Dive Deep Into Mainframe Resources
Working in the mainframe environment requires knowledge not only of the platform, but also of its connected components and applications. Emma Dean, information technology infrastructure engineer at enGen, advises, “Get to know the mainframe. Learn the underlying systems. Pick up the mainframe textbooks and documentation to really dive into the foundational elements. Explore new products and ways to interact with the mainframe — there’s a lot to dive into and enjoy.”
Technical knowledge can come from a variety of channels. Reg Harbeck, chief strategist for Mainframe Analytics, recommends reading IBM’s Redbooks, including the “ABCs of System Programming.”
He adds, “Dig into the local platform's partitioned data sets' (PDS) text-based documentation, as well as any locally generated readable items."
There are also several textbooks available:
- "The Mythical Man-Month" by Fred Brooks
- “The Design of Design” by Fred Brooks
- “Introduction to Enterprise Systems” by Karl-Erik Stenfors, Reginald Harbeck, Cameron Seay, and David Boyes
- “DB2 Developer's Guide: A Solutions-Oriented Approach to Learning the Foundation and Capabilities of DB2 for z/OS by Craig S. Mullins
- “Database Administration: The Complete Guide to Dba Practices and Procedures” by Craig S. Mullins.
Anthony Anter, DevOps architect and evangelist at BMC Software, cautions, “Do not pigeonhole yourself technically. Look into multiple platforms and stay abreast of many technology types. The language and the platform are good things to know, but understanding patterns is universal.”
Melita Saville, content strategist at IBM, would agree, noting, “Even if you work exclusively on Z, stay aware of wider industry trends and standards.” She points out that the “principles relate back to Z and, increasingly, Z products align with such standards as part of a hybrid environment.”
According to Dean, technologists also should get to know the data extract, transform, and load processes. “Because some companies have adopted hybrid cloud strategies, they require the mainframe to support different types of data movement. You need to be able to support those efforts and optimize those processes,” she explains.
Build Your Skills by Connecting With Peers In-Person and Online
When your eyes become dry and tired from all of that reading, it’s time to get out there and meet like-minded mainframers in your focus area and outside of it.
Ray Mullins, senior software engineer at Broadcom Software, says that getting to know people within your own department helps build an understanding of job roles. “For example, when I was a systems programmer, I became friendly with the audit teams and asked them questions about what they were learning in their seminars and workshops,” he recalls. “Some of it was inaccurate or didn’t recognize the roles we played in keeping the business functional. By explaining this to them, our team was able to help build guidelines that recognized that at times we needed emergency powers.”
He adds, “If you identify as neurodiverse, see if there's a work group of fellow neurodiverse professionals and ask to join. They will help you in navigating the world of your organization, which is built around neurotypical people.”
In addition to getting to know the people you work with, Mullins says mainframers would be better off asking questions. “If you get a response like, ‘we've always done it this way,’ try to get more information. This can help you understand the decisions made by those who came before you, which helps build your knowledge of the systems you are working with.”
Strong soft skills are needed when working with colleagues in-person or remotely. In addition to being a master of technical knowledge, Anter says, “you also need to be able to write effectively, communicate to a single person or in front of a group, possess executive presence, and conduct yourself in a meeting. Technical skills will get you there, but soft skills get you promoted.”
Another great way to connect with other mainframe leaders and peers is at SHARE’s events and IBM’s TechXchange. “You may have to make the case for in-person development with management, but these events are uniquely invaluable. The network you build will benefit your organization and your career,” says Harbeck.
The costs of attending and traveling to larger conferences can be prohibitive for companies and their staff, but Saville suggests looking for free, hands-on or online events in your local area. IBM Z Skills Fest is one option, but others include online meetups, such as Mainframerz London, and vendor-neutral groups, like iTech-Ed, that regularly offer virtual seminars on various topics of interest. SHARE also offers technical education through SHARE’d Knowledge and SHARE’d Conversations. Harbeck also recommends checking out GSE, IBM-MAIN, and the System Z Discord channel, which Ray Mullins helps moderate. Mullins says of the Discord group, “Our members are welcoming, but there are other channels that have technical resources to explore.”
Take Charge of Your Career
Technical knowledge and soft skills equip mainframers with the tools they need to navigate their careers successfully. Peer networks also provide the support technologists need to grow and keep up with the latest advancements. But careers don’t progress smoothly, and many will face challenges. Anter advises mainframers to “show some grit.” He adds, “Things are not always going to go smoothly. You could have a bad position, be assigned to a bad manager, be employed at a bad company, or all of the above. You need to be ready to weather the storm and come out the other side better.”
Anter also advises, “Invest in your personal brand, spend time working on yourself, set goals, and move towards them. Your brand is what people say about you when you are not in the room. If you are not working on your brand, then no one is. Be intentional when creating your personal brand.”
This is why navigating workplace challenges and managing relationships is crucial. Mullins says, “Trust your instincts. If you start to feel unappreciated by your management, or become the target of unjust criticism, begin exploring other opportunities.” He adds, “A great manager, especially one that can deflect bad upper management, is a great person to have in your life. If you don't like what you see coming, it's always better to start searching sooner rather than later. And, when searching, use your network.”
To ease job transitions or applications, maintaining a good record of previous jobs, successes, and expertise can be invaluable. Saville says, “Keep a brief but ongoing record of your experiences: the context, what you did, and any supporting feedback or data. When you come to make an application, whether that’s for a job, a speaking opportunity, or an award, you’ll be glad of that input.”
Be an Evangelist and Mentor
Beyond managing your own career, contributing to the broader mainframe community strengthens both your skills and the industry. According to Dean, mainframers also need to be good collaborators. “Shared knowledge is fundamental to a strong mainframe community,” she says. “Mentor, teach, and communicate your knowledge and experiences with others. If you are new to the mainframe, find different ways to communicate what you learn — teach others the concepts to solidify your own knowledge.”
Harbeck agrees, adding, “Create, present, connect, contribute, and get involved with mainframe-relevant communities, such as the IBM Champions at the Community.ibm.com site.” SHARE is another great venue where mainframers can regularly share their expertise and improve their own career development and that of their peers.
The challenges of modernization and hybrid environments make it more important than ever to cultivate connections and foster continuous learning. Investing in your own career, mentoring others, and becoming a platform evangelist creates a cycle of innovation and support that benefits everyone and ensures the future of the enterprise technology continues to evolve and grow. Seize the opportunity to lead, inspire, and build the strong mainframe community that tomorrow demands.
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Looking for some online education on this topic, check out this SHARE’d Knowledge members-only course:
Serena Agusto-Cox has more than 20 years of editorial experience and six years of experience writing about mainframe and information technology. She interviews and crafts forward-looking and engaging technical updates related to the mainframe ecosystem, highlights the experiences of thought-leaders in the community, and shares important updates to technical education and training.