Growing up in a world that was rapidly advancing in technology, it felt natural to become fascinated with how things worked. I wasn’t just interested in using technology, but wanted to understand it, experiment with it, and build things that made life easier and more enjoyable.
That curiosity was fostered early on. My father worked in cybersecurity, building protections as intricate and deliberate as a spider weaving its web. Watching that sparked something in me. I began exploring everything I could—networking, cybersecurity, ethical hacking, reverse engineering—anything that helped me better understand the systems we rely on every day.
Over time, I found a real passion for software development. I started writing plugins for my favorite video games and building small programs in whatever language best fit the task, often to automate parts of my daily life. While I only scratched the surface in many of these areas, that broad exposure gave me a strong foundation and helped me connect concepts across different areas of IT as I moved through my studies and earned my degree.
Facing the Reality of the Job Market
After graduation, I quickly learned that the job market isn’t always straightforward. While I had a solid technical foundation, many roles were looking for direct experience, which pushed me to keep building my skills and stay persistent.
It was a challenging time, but I was fortunate to have a supportive family that allowed me to keep pressing forward. I continued developing my skills, learning new technologies, and staying engaged with software development while searching for the right opportunity.
Eventually, I came across a program that changed everything.
Discovering the Vitality Program
When I found the listing for Broadcom’s Mainframe Vitality Program, it almost seemed too good to be true. The idea of being trained in a field I had very little exposure to while being paid to do it stood out immediately. More importantly, it felt like a real opportunity to build a long-term career.
I applied and began preparing by working through the IBM Z Xplore Learning Platform. I completed the full catalog of challenges and supplemented that learning with any free resources I could find. At that point, mainframes were new to me, but I was fully committed to learning.
When Everything Started to Click
Being accepted into the program was both exciting and a bit intimidating. The amount of training ahead of me initially felt significant, but that feeling didn’t last long.
As I progressed, I became genuinely engaged in what I was learning. The more I explored mainframe technologies, the more I realized how powerful and relevant they are. What started as unfamiliar quickly became something I was excited to dive deeper into.
The training in combination with self-guided learning went by faster than expected. Over time, the concepts began to connect, and I felt a growing sense of confidence in what I was doing.
From Learning to Doing
The biggest shift came when I transitioned from training into working at a customer site during the residency phase of the program. That’s when everything came together.
The knowledge I had built over the previous 8–9 months became practical. I was able to apply what I had learned in real scenarios, contributing to meaningful work. Just as important, I found myself surrounded by people who were willing to share their knowledge and help me continue to grow.
I began working on projects that challenged me and pushed me to keep learning. Each day brought new opportunities to expand my understanding of mainframe technologies and strengthen my skills.
Looking Ahead
Today, I can see a clear path forward. What started as a general interest in technology has developed into a stable and rewarding career.
The Vitality Program provided more than training. It gave me direction, real-world experience, and the support system needed to grow. I now work in an environment that challenges me, encourages continuous learning, and allows me to build something meaningful.
Thanks to Broadcom and the Vitality Program, I’ve moved from simply exploring and tinkering with technology to building a future with it.