Re: Possibly stupid question for you IBM mainframers... :-)

From: Jeff nor Lisa (hancock4_at_bbs.cpcn.com)
Date: 07/15/04

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    Date: 15 Jul 2004 11:05:14 -0700

    rsteiner@visi.com (Richard Steiner) wrote

    > My question, though: How does a person like me go about learning more
    > about CICS, COBOL2, DB2, etc., on the IBM side...?

    COBOL to COBOL2 is no big deal; IBM has manuals on its website
    including IIRC a conversion guide.

    CICS is not so easy.

    A lot depends on what a potential employer is doing. Some have
    very complex networks using high-end CICS components that require
    skill and experience to make work properly, efficiently and reliably.
    Others have simple systems using more basic components.

    As others have mentioned, sometimes the screening process is rather
    imperfect

    Another issue is what the IBM mainframe job market is in your
    area. If employers are looking for people, they won't be as fussy
    and allow you to get up to speed on their time. But if the market
    is tight they'll be more picky.

    In my area the mainframe market, indeed the overall IT market,
    is rather bad. I know several smart and hard working experience
    former consultants who just can't find anything and were forced
    to move on to other fields. From news reports it seems this is
    widespread.

    Another possibility is to seek more of a systems analysis position
    that isn't as hardware dependent.

    I would also see how your local job market is in more modern IT
    stuff like Oracle, Java, web development, MS-Office support, etc.
    If there is a market, it may be better to get training in those
    fields. In my area, many community colleges offer night courses
    in such subjects, but not in mainframe stuff.

    An alternative market might be as a substitute teacher, or perhaps
    a regular teacher, again depending on how hard they are up for
    teachers and how much certification they require up front or down
    the road. One big city allows you to get the certification within
    a year or so after getting hired.

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