Written by Evelyn Hoover, Vice President, B2B Content @ MSPC
If you’d have told me back when I graduated college that I’d spend most of my career in technology, there’s no way I’d have believed you.
Here’s the basics on how it happened. I was working for a community newspaper when I saw an ad for managing editor of AS/400 Magazine, which IBM produced. I applied, not even knowing what an AS/400 was, and talked my way into the job. I got a crash course on servers, operating systems, high availability, performance and more.
Eventually, IBM outsourced the production of the magazines (and the team that produced them) to MSPC, a Minnesota marketing agency. After several name changes, our team at MSPC pitched the idea of starting what was then eServer Magazine, Mainframe edition. IBM bought into the idea, and my exposure to big iron began. I started anew with a crash course on servers, operating systems and more.
Fast forward to 2020 and COVID-19. IBM decided it no longer wanted to produce the magazines at the conclusion of 2020 when the agency’s contract expired. MSPC’s leadership team agreed that we should take the digital names we had acquired through our own efforts at conferences, etc., and pivot to launch TechChannel, a proprietary technology website focused on IBM Z and IBM Power.
Photo of the IBM Systems Magazine booth at a conference
Mainframe Technology Changes, Community Does Not
It’s hard to believe all the changes that have occurred since I took the job at AS/400 Magazine all those years ago, and since we launched the mainframe magazine in 2001. The technology has changed, the names of the platforms have changed (a couple of times) and some faces that work on the technology have changed. The one thing that hasn’t changed is the community that supports mainframe.
It’s that community that makes the mainframe platform unique. I love that so many strong women are in leadership roles at IBM and within the business partner community. I’ve met many of them and cherish these relationships. I find that I have learned much about technology from them, but even more so I have learned valuable lessons in leadership.
I’ve observed these leaders as they work to mentor the next generation of women as they break into this still very male-centric industry. Incidentally, TechChannel is taking a look at the Women Driving Tech in an upcoming special interactive experience at the end of this month.
It’s important to note that the mainframe community is also fortunate to have many men who support and encourage women in leadership roles. They could just sit back and be happy with the status quo, but instead feel the need to broaden the leadership at their companies.
As I reflect back on my multi-year technology career, I am grateful for the opportunities technology has provided me and my family, but also for the ways the mainframe community has helped me become a better leader.
