Stream: WAVEZ 101
Time: 14:30 - 15:15
Mainframes are powerful systems that run banks, airlines, and governments. But for many students and beginners, they feel confusing or hard to access. In this session, I will share my story of how I entered the mainframe world as a student with no prior experience. I’ll talk about how I started learning through IBM Z Xplore, how I won the Catch the Flag competition at the GSE UK Conference, and how I was selected for the Open Mainframe mentorship program (Addressing the COBOL Crisis). I’ll also explain simple ways for students and young professionals to begin their mainframe journey—step by step. This session is perfect for beginners who want to understand what mainframes are, why they matter, and how to build a career in this space.
There is currently no attachment for Breaking Into the Mainframe World: A Beginner’s Journey from Zero to Z
Meena Chand is a Technical Solution Architect at Essist Omnikron Ltd (IBM iUG) and a current mentee in the Open Mainframe Project Mentorship Program, where she contributes to projects addressing the COBOL crisis, including building an LMS (Moodle) system on Linux. She was also awarded a scholarship by Black STEM and Leadership to pursue a leadership program at Homerton College, University of Cambridge, and is a Santander Scholarship holder.
Passionate about mainframe and enterprise computing, Meena has worked on projects across web, mobile, IoT, and enterprise systems. She and her team won the Catch the Flag competition at GSE UK 2024, and she holds the IBM Z Xplore All-Star badge. Alongside her technical work, she mentors students and supports initiatives such as the Kisori Scholarship for underprivileged girls.
Her mission is simple: to lead and serve through technology and impact.
Aravind Jalajan is a passionate cybersecurity professional and community leader currently pursuing his MSc in Cybersecurity at the University of Hertfordshire. With a background in Computer Science and multiple years of leadership experience, Aravind has served as Chair of the BCS Hertfordshire Branch and led his university's Computer Science Society to win “Best Academic Society” in 2024. He has represented his university at national conferences such as GSE UK, where he explored cybersecurity, AI, and mainframe innovation. As a School Community Organiser and Director of the SPECS Alliance, Aravind advocates for student empowerment, diversity, and sustainable development in tech education. Known for combining technical insight with inclusive leadership, he speaks on topics ranging from cybersecurity innovation and responsible AI to student development and community-driven change.
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