Perceptions, Luckily, Change

Copyeditor Morgon Mae Schutlz recently shared with me an online article about a group of seventh-grade students who drew pictures of scientists both before and after a trip to a lab. Before meeting scientists in person, most students pictured them as workaholics, who were extremely intelligent and somehow separated from everyday people. Most students’ before pictures had characters in white lab coats, glasses and unkempt hair.

After meeting scientists in real life, the pictures show people in casual dress, and the descriptions indicated the people they met were “normal” and had fun actives and hobbies. Amanda wrote, “… anyone can be a scientist. I saw people walking around in sweatshirts and jeans. Who knows? Maybe I can be a scientist.”

This interesting “social experiment” reminded me of the misperceptions I had about the mainframe community when I first started working with the magazine. I envisioned mainframers as middle-aged (or older) white men. After traveling to a few technology conferences, primarily SHARE, my perception changed. While there are definitely middle-aged white men who work in the platform, there are also women, young people and people from many nationalities.

The upcoming issue of IBM Systems Magazine, Mainframe edition celebrates the upcoming generation of mainframe staffers and the educational opportunities available to those interested in the platform. I hope you enjoy the "Educated for Success" article and share it with those who have the same misperception I used to have.