While it is hard to get an entry level job working on a mainframe it is certainly not impossible. I started out with a medical company about 3 years ago as a pc programmer (mostly windows, but I am slowly changing that!!) but now get to do virtually anything that is necessary. The great thing about my company is that if you show that you are competant then you are allowed to try new things. Programming and administering a mainframe are quite different from the pc world, but it is definitely a lot of fun.
I have been allowed to learn almost everything as I go. I new very little when I started out but I now get to work on all sorts of projects. As soon as I get through implementing our new Cisco based VPN and building a new imaging server (complete with multi-terabyte NAS) I get to write a tcp/ip based registration system to run on our new AS400. An early version is already being used by some of our offices. My boss has even discussed giving me the old AS400 for my own! I have also been given permission to introduce desktop linux to users that don't have to run windows programs!!
I know most companies aren't willing to give someone just starting out a chance. But if you show that you are willing to go the extra mile chances are someone will give you an opportunity to prove yourself. If you work hard, the benefits for both you and your company can be tremendous.
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While it is hard to get an entry level job working on a mainframe it is certainly not impossible. I started out with a medical company about 3 years ago as a pc programmer (mostly windows, but I am slowly changing that!!) but now get to do virtually anything that is necessary. The great thing about my company is that if you show that you are competant then you are allowed to try new things. Programming and administering a mainframe are quite different from the pc world, but it is definitely a lot of fun. I have been allowed to learn almost everything as I go. I new very little when I started out but I now get to work on all sorts of projects. As soon as I get through implementing our new Cisco based VPN and building a new imaging server (complete with multi-terabyte NAS) I get to write a tcp/ip based registration system to run on our new AS400. An early version is already being used by some of our offices. My boss has even discussed giving me the old AS400 for my own! I have also been given permission to introduce desktop linux to users that don't have to run windows programs!! I know most companies aren't willing to give someone just starting out a chance. But if you show that you are willing to go the extra mile chances are someone will give you an opportunity to prove yourself. If you work hard, the benefits for both you and your company can be tremendous.