After graduating with an honors bachelor degree in electrical engineering technology, I faced considerable challenges securing a job in my field. Despite my efforts, the job market was competitive, and opportunities seemed elusive.

Moreover, I grappled with the need for more support from my school department in my job search, which did not happen, and that added an extra layer of complexity to my journey. My practical turning point was when I decided to join a course with MCEC’s Enterprise Systems (Mainframe) Program (ES/MF) and this program was shared with me by one the professor and the program lead by Mr. John Thompson. After completing the course, they actively assisted me in finding a job with one of the biggest mainframe companies, a proud partner of IBM, offering a position with a commendable salary.

Embarking on this new chapter with an enhanced financial landscape has been nothing short of transformative. The generous salary I now receive has not only alleviated the financial burdens but has become a cornerstone for cultivating a life of abundance. It's not just about the numbers on a paycheck; it's the gateway to providing my family with security, comfort, and the opportunity to savor the finer moments of life. And all this because I decided to switch my career and Joined MCEC’s Enterprise Systems (Mainframe) program.

I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. John for the work and program he conducts through his company. This initiative has significantly assisted numerous students and graduates in finding employment, establishing and supporting their families, and leading fulfilling lives. Consequently, I strongly believe that the Mr. John program and its associated company deserve support and collaboration from all universities. This backing is crucial to ensuring the ongoing success of the program, which proves beneficial to all students, particularly graduates.

I graduated from Tennessee State University in Fall 2021. At the beginning of my final semester I was finishing up a Sales internship with Amazon Web Services. One that unfortunately didnt result in a job offer. I got involved in the Enterprise Systems Mainframe Program because of seeing a Cobol class offered. I took it and it opened me up to a world of possibilities. By the end of the semester not only were my technical skills sharpened and refined but also sharpened my ability to conduct myself in a business setting thanks to John Thompsons guidance. I also ended the semester with 2 job offers in the salary range of $63,000-$70,000. A far cry from the job offers I would have otherwise had starting out. Because of the Enterprise Mainframe program not only was I able to find a good paying job, but a rewarding, fulfilling career. Im ecstatic to have been able to visit TSU as part of a recruiting effort in September 2022, and be able to present students with the opportunity to learn about how great it is to work with Mainframes. This program has put me in a position that may have very well changed the trajectory of my life and I owe it a debt of gratitude. As I come up on my 2-year anniversary of working at Rocket Software and on the cusp of a promotion I think back to how vital the Enterprise Mainframe Program and John Thompson was in getting me to this point.

As a recent participant in the IBM zSystems bootcamp, I am writing to express my profound appreciation for the transformative experience it provided. This program equipped me with rare yet highly sought-after skills in today's technology landscape, bridging a critical gap in traditional university curricula. Universities often overlook legacy systems and their associated languages, yet these are crucial for the technological infrastructure of many sectors. The bootcamp offered hands-on experience in JCL and COBOL, giving us an edge in a job market that is increasingly integrating contemporary and legacy systems.
More than just an educational experience; it was a career-defining opportunity, presenting a clear path from academic knowledge to lucrative careers. For many of us, it was our first exposure to such practical and applicable skills, setting us apart in a competitive job market. We learned to bridge the gap between new and old technologies, a skill set that is invaluable and rare. This advantage has opened doors to opportunities we hadn't imagined, altering our professional trajectories significantly. Suddenly, there was a whole new side of the industry that we became aware of, exposed to, and got to participate in with a lengthy JCL project.

This program is indispensable for nurturing a workforce capable of tackling the unique challenges of our evolving technological landscape. I strongly advocate for its continuation and expansion, as its impact extends far beyond the classroom, shaping our careers and future opportunities.

I was exposed to MCECs Enterprise Systems (Mainframe) Program (ES/MF) at TSU and after participation in the bootcamp class, I gained successful employment placement. I had been seeking a job for over a year. I applied to numerous companies (IBM, MetLife, HCA, Vanderbilt University and Microsoft to name a few) with no success. Finally, I was working for UPS as a package handler, which paid only $30,000 per year. Quick frankly, I had given up until I met Mr. Thompson & had resigned myself to a low paying mediocre career and lifestyle. I was able to land employment at Ensono, LP over other individuals that had a more technical background, because I had a different advantage. That advantage was my enterprise knowledge. More funding of the program would provide future opportunities for studentinvolvement and exposure to a less known area of high demand into the Mainframe concepts of Computer Science.