Re: Is COBOL still "dead"? Thoughts?

[Jim Essinger <dilbernator@xxxxxxxxx>]

The company I worked with for 20 + years was a COBOL shop.  When they
closed their doors for other reasons I had to look for employment.  To get
a COBOL job I would have had to move out of the area.  Indiana was the
closest job

I took an RPG job, and since I had RPG in school, was able to be productive
withing 30 to 45 days.  I was also hired because I have IBM i system
experience with PTFs, the HMC and trouble shooting. I have been here now
for 5 1/2 years.

Jim Essinger
Western Power Sports
Boise, ID




On Tue, Apr 29, 2014 at 3:08 PM, Jorge Colon <jorge@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> I work with a COBOL developer and I've been interested in the industry.
> Read some articles and found a lot of "COBOL is dead" articles and how
> developers with 2 to 3 decades of experience are not able to find a COBOL
> job without having to relocate (perhaps even several times). They seldom
> have an option for telecommuting, COBOL jobs are being shipped to India,
> and some learn newer programming languages, but don't get enough experience
> to get hired. Some even temporarily relocate away from the family just to
> survive. It's almost like starting your whole career again from scratch.
>
> Here's an article on dice:
> http://news.dice.com/2012/08/28/mainframe-talent-shortage and this forum
> with developers venting
> http://www.indeed.com/forum/job/Cobol-Developer/other-non-computer-career-changes-can-go-into-since/t66746
>
> How true does this ring? Do you have personal stories or friends with a
> similar situation that you could share?
>
> P.S. Hey Jim Oberholtzer! Caught you on this mailing list. :)
>
> P.S.S. I posted in the cobol400-l mailing list since my question is around
> COBOL, but I also posted to the midrange-nontech mailing list just in case
> this is considered off-topic and the conversation can continue there.
>
> Regards,
>
> Jorge
>
> Director of Web Development/Owner
> 2UP Media
> c: 407.489.2677
> info@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> www.2upmedia.com
>
> LinkedIn
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