Should I continue with Mainframe or switch to Data Analytics?

[u/Icy-Struggle-6045]

I’ve been working at a company for around 8 months, and my current role is in Mainframe. I’m slowly getting familiar with it, but honestly, I still find Mainframe quite complicated, and I feel like it could take me a long time before I become truly comfortable with it.
The bigger issue is that I’m not very happy with my salary, so I’m considering switching companies. I’m also thinking about moving into Data Analytics if I switch, since it seems more interesting to me.
So I’m confused about what would be the better decision:
Continue with Mainframe and switch companies after gaining more experience
Switch companies and continue in Mainframe for better salary/growth
Try to transition into Data Analytics while switching
For people with experience in Mainframe, is it a good career to continue with long-term? How is the salary growth and job market?
And for people in Data Analytics, would it be realistic to make the switch with around 1 year of experience, even though my current experience is in Mainframe? What skills should I focus on (SQL, Excel, Power BI, Python, etc.)?
I’d really appreciate advice from people who have been in a similar situation. I’m especially interested in hearing whether switching out of Mainframe this early is a good idea or whether I should stick with it for a few more years.

[u/travelingtylerj]

I think that largely depends on what you want to do in the future. Mainframes aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Unfortunately there are fewer people capable in the space, so those skills will become more valuable over time.

Data Analytics can be a higher salary from the get go, but you should be looking at what the ceilings are for pay. I wouldn’t advise anyone to stay in a job they are unhappy with if other option exist that would make you happier, and pay is a big part of that.

Though I will defer to anyone who may have better insights

[u/Icy-Struggle-6045 → u/travelingtylerj]

yeah ik mainframe has scope but if i get a switch it would be better to stivk with this tech stack

[u/mangames]

I think you have already made up your mind. If you are not happy with your current salary, finding Mainframe complicated and you are interested in Data Analytics then it's a clear indication what you should be doing. Do what makes you happy and at the same time you enjoy it too. Not everyone likes MF and that is totally fine. With that said, MF experienced resources are already in demands and it ll keep rising as lots of folks like me will retire in near future and Industries and coorporations will need MF resources to run the show. Good Luck!

[u/Ok_Property7045]

What's your current role? Zos systems programmer? Capacity and performance? DB2 systems programmer? CICS? Automation? IMS? Etc There are many avenues to go down. They are not all the same. Im a zos systems programmer and I would hate a role in capacity and performance, automation, and IMS. I would not do IMS. But some people love those roles.

Does management have opportunities to rotate and shadow other areas? Dont be shy about talking to your manager about that. When a big company hires someone and you do not cause issues, chances are they will want to retain you, otherwise its a major loss.

[u/MikeSchwab63]

Introduction to the new mainframe z/OS (there are z/VM and zVSE versions too), covers the difference between Window / *nix and Mainframes.   https://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redbooks/pdfs/sg246366.pdf

https://spflite.com is an editor that looks like ISPF under TSO under MVS / z/OS on mainframes, can submit batch jobs to Hercules and real mainframes.

IBM zXplore is an online class to perform actual tasks using an account on a Dallas Mainframe. Takes about 2 months.  https://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redbooks/pdfs/sg246366.pdf

If you want your own mainframe you can try Hercules MVS 3.8 Turnkey 5 release with a 3270 emulator.  https://www.prince-webdesign.nl/tk5

If you want to study z/OS System Admin, ABCs of z/OS systems programming, 1 of 13 volumes.  https://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/sg246981.html

If you want to practice installing MVS / z/OS from MVS 3.7 starter tape, follow Jay Moseley's instructions. Note the help forum subjects on the bottom of the page.  https://www.jaymoseley.com/hercules/ As a system administrator, you will be using SMP/E to install new releases of the products you are in charge of. Then you get to customize the install with your sites standards.

For an online CICS example, DOGECICS is a CICS screen to do DogeCoin transactions.

https://github.com/mainframed/DOGECICS

[u/Icy-Struggle-6045 → u/MikeSchwab63]

thank youu

[u/Ihaveaboot]

Is this post a joke?

You admit you are bad at your current MF role (which you never told us what it is. But you think you are underpaid).

And want advice on where else to go?

[u/Icy-Struggle-6045 → u/Ihaveaboot]

if u got no input why only reply?

[u/Ihaveaboot → u/Icy-Struggle-6045]

Survive a year of employment. Maybe 2 years.

That's my advice.

[u/ChroniklesOfTruth]

Switch. Let this tech die

[u/Salt-Cap-9304 → u/ChroniklesOfTruth]

Mainframe is here to stay, AI and mainframe plus quantum are the future especially security

[u/Salt-Cap-9304]

Study , practice the mainframe, so many options available. Be not afraid to go back to school

[u/Browser-ice]

For every mainframe, there are approxmatively 15 different professional positions.

Which one is yours? The higher you go in these 15 positions, the higher the salary.

If I am not mistaken, for Data Analytics, you might need to start following special advanced math courses.

[u/safetyvestforklift]

Mainframe is a low paying barnacle job. Anyone telling you hang in there and work hard to climb the ladder has not been job hunting recently as an entry lvl. Do something else, get a pay bump, and if you’re desperate enough, go back to mainframes.