Re: Query: Mainframers look forward and back

[Jim Bohnsack]

Gabe Goldberg wrote: (Sorry for cross-posting...) I'm writing an article for CA about baby-boom mainframers (that's me too, my first job out of college in 1968 was with IBM in Poughkeepsie) about what we're all doing and seeing and facing in our careers. Do people plan to work as long as they're able? Because of enjoyable jobs? From necessity? For other reasons? I have worked mainframe technical support for almost 42 years, starting as an IBM Junior Assistant Trainee Probationary Systems Engineer in a Chicago Branch Office.  I recently semi-retired from Cornell Univ. but still work part time.  I was afraid if I logged off one day, for the last time, I would have too hard of a time going thru withdrawal.  I love what I do!! and have done for almost 42 years. Are folks being downsized/outsourced? Not where I worked or have worked Retiring voluntarily or otherwise? When projects finish or ... certain ages are reached? Or companies migrate off the mainframe? Or youngsters are available for lower salaries? Regarding "dump the mainframe projects" -- have you stayed with a company after migrating to another platform? How has that worked out? Have you seen "dump" projects fail or simply continue forever with mainframes chugging along productively? We have been on a "dump the mainframe" since 1995.  Still at it.  It's difficult to get rid of something that works.  The latest estimate is 3-4 years from now.  By then, I'll be almost 70. Has the skill set required for mainframe work changed during your career? How have tools evolved to support skills required? Less SNA/VTAM and more TCPIP, plus for me, a smattering of Linux.  A lot of organizations are needing/wanting more than a smattering of Linux. What are boomer mainframers doing in retirement? Are you taking new jobs and "double dipping"? Becoming consultants? Trainers? Writers? With former employers? In locations you've worked or moving? Or starting new careers in other fields? With decades of experience and perspective -- and considering contradictory trends of organizations migrating to other platforms AND the general resurgence of the mainframe -- what recommendations are offered for the mainframe's future? I see the traditional use of VM/CMS as being the end-user tool it has been, going away.  IBM should have done more to make CMS the defacto standard.  VM/Windows didn't do the job.  IBM should have done a better job combining the strengths of the PC and the VM/CMS product.  OS/2 was great but only half heartedly supported by IBM and it was never any more integrated with VM than Windows was.  Are younger-generation mainframe staffers joining your companies? Have you helped recruit any (including family members!)? How are they integrated into your data centers? Are there inter-generational issues (training, collaboration, communication, work habits, whatever)? What should employers do to smooth the process? I haven't seen a younger, new person in 15-20 years. Have you worked for younger bosses/managers? What's that been like? Are there challenges communicating mainframe benefits, mindset, practices to them? I have had many younger managers.  Most older or same age managers as I am have retired.  I've never had any kind of problems with a younger manager. For reference, Wikipedia defines baby boomers as being born between 1946 and 1964. So if you served in WW I or had your first legal drink celebrating Y2K, someone else will have to document your life. People who've REALLY left the mainframe arena may not be on these lists -- so feel free to forward this with colleagues you've stayed in touch with! Please reply to me directly as well as to the list, so I see responses separate from the daily digest. Relatively brief comments are best so I can ask follow-up questions if necessary. The two articles -- for z/Journal and Mainframe Executive -- about which I queried the lists about mainframe education are nearly done, will appear early next year, I think. Thanks to people who responded for those, and who respond now! -- Jim Bohnsack Cornell University (972) 596-6377 home/office (972) 342-5823 cell [EMAIL PROTECTED]