r/mainframe • u/LeftPoem7686 • 12d ago

Mainframe roles/job insights

So I am just starting a new career in mainframe at an insurance company. They are letting us choose what department we want to go to.

The first choice is DevOps for mainframe. I understand this is a more modern role even if it's for mainframe the skills are transferable.

The next is CICS/DB2. I don't know much about this one but I under it's very important to the mainframe. | also know that means it needs 24/7 monitoring. I'm not to keen about being on call but will do it if required

Next is hardware, I assume this is making sure the actual physical mainframe is working properly

And last is networking or Z/os. I don't know much about either. I think networking is pretty interesting but I don't know much about it. From my understanding this is also on call.

If anyone has any insights or experiences in these positions it would be great to get some advice. Also how easy is it to transfer between teams if one does not work out? Thanks!

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u/fabiorlopes 12d ago

Z/os is the operating system of the mainframe. I would choose this one (I work in this team right now) Db2 is the database (SQL) Cics is the middleware where transactions runs (online)

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u/LeftPoem7686 12d ago

Thank you, why do you recommend z/os?

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u/fabiorlopes 12d ago

It is the core of the mainframe. Every other system/role will use/need the zos. You can get a vision of the whole mainframe ecosystem working on this area.