Mainframe Voices: What role does open source play in opening doors for mainframe careers?

About this episode

This episode discusses the impact of open source on mainframe career opportunities.

In this special episode of Mainframe Voices, we explore how open source is helping people discover, enter, and grow their careers on the mainframe. Our guests share how contributing to open source projects on IBM Z has given them hands‑on experience, visibility, and a community that supports their professional journeys.Featuring: •Steven Dickens – CEO and Principal Analyst, Top 3 Global Technology Industry Analyst, Advisor to Tech Vendor Executives •Sarah Julia Kriesch - Senior Lead, Mainframe Architect & Open Source Evangelist - zCloud @Kyndryl•John Lovett - Head of Education & Customer Engagement for the Mainframe Software Division @Broadcom Inc.•Junior Tamekem Tadiffo - IBM Z Student Ambassador•Marcus Davage - Lead Product Developer@BMC Software•Hunter Johnson - Product Marketing Engineer@Beyond Code(Broadcom)You will hear how open source has: - Lowered the barrier to getting practical mainframe experience - Helped contributors build portfolios they can share with employers - Created mentorship and networking opportunities across the global ecosystem.The Mainframe Connect podcast includes the I Am a Mainframer series, Mainframe Voices, and other content exploring…

People in this episode

Guests: Steven Dickens, Sarah Julia Kriesch, John Lovett, Junior Tamekem Tadiffo, Marcus Davage, Hunter Johnson

Topics covered

• open source
• mainframe careers
• professional development
• mentorship
• networking
• IBM Z

Keywords

• open source
• mainframe
• career growth
• IBM Z
• mentorship
• networking
• professional experience

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: IBM Z, Kyndryl, Broadcom Inc., BMC Software, Beyond Code, Linux Foundation

More episodes of Mainframe Connect

• Mainframe Voices: What Signals and Trends Should the Community Watch? · June 2, 2026 · 12 min
• I Am a Mainframer: J.J. Lovett on Mainframe Careers, Open Source & Skills Gap · May 13, 2026 · 22 min
• I am a Mainframer with Marcus Davage | How Curiosity Built a 30-Year Career? · April 22, 2026 · 22 min
• Mainframe Coven: Conjuring a Safe Space in Tech · March 31, 2026 · 36 min
• I am a Mainframer: Sarah Julia Kriesch · March 26, 2026 · 15 min
• I am a Mainframer with Junior Tadiffo · February 26, 2026 · 13 min