I'm just starting out in programming and thinking about diving into COBOL, mainframes, and modernization technologies. I live in Sub-Saharan Africa and I'm curious about whether I'll be able to find remote jobs or relocation opportunities once I've picked up these skills. Is it worth my time to focus on COBOL, or should I consider other languages?
5 Answers
I wouldn't recommend investing too much time in COBOL if you're looking for a solid career. Learning any programming language is beneficial, though, so don't let that deter you completely.
Honestly, I wouldn't spend my time on COBOL. There are plenty of other languages that are more in demand and could offer better job prospects.
I took COBOL classes about ten years ago, hoping for a big break since the older devs were supposed to be retiring. It turns out that while the old systems are still there, they mostly get ignored and aren't touched often. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Learning COBOL could be fun, but don't bet on it for a career. There aren't many new projects using it from scratch, and most jobs involve maintaining older systems. If it still works, companies tend to stick with it rather than rewriting everything from the ground up.
If you're thinking big paychecks and relocation, think again. Most COBOL developers have decades of experience. It won't be easy for a beginner like you to break into that space.
True, the focus is on keeping those old systems running. They might not be building new ones, but if they already have a solid setup, it just makes sense to maintain it.