Master the Mainframe Contest for Students to Win Valuable Prizes 2018

One of the largest student competitions in the world has returned for its 14^th year with new prizes and new challenges for students around the world.

Master the Mainframe Contest is a unique, virtual contest, that's open globally to high school and college students to progressively teach mainframe skills in a real world enterprise computing environment. Employers from around the globe use this contest to seek out potential candidates for mainframe careers.

How does it work?

1. Part 1: Learn the Basics
   Meet the platform used by top companies around the world to run their most business critical applications.  Learn how to access a user interface, the basic concepts of mainframe programing, and the fundamentals of what differentiates the mainframe from other platforms. IBM will provide step by step instructions to complete the challenges and set you up for success in Part 2.
2. Part 2: Practice
   Continue your mainframe skills journey learning how to program with languages such as JAVA, C, COBOL and REXX. Learn JCL and assembly language to navigate the mainframe environment using advanced commands, system security tools, and system navigation tools.  Earn the Part 2 IBM Digital Badge to showcase your new skills to employers around the world.
3. Part 3: Real World Challenge
   Dive even deeper into the mainframe using real life scenarios encountered by experienced systems programmers. Data Analytics, creative problem solving and knowledge gained in Part 1 and Part 2 challenges will help build out the final challenges.  Part 3 will put contestants to the test and identify those with the most drive and determination to Master the Mainframe.

Who can compete?

Anyone who is currently a student at the high school or university level can compete — no experience is necessary. The contest teaches the skills you’ll need and the competition difficulty increases as you progress through the contest phases.