Hammad Iqbal
IBM Z Student Ambassador AlumniAdvocating for the mainframe on campus and beyond
Advocating for the mainframe on campus and beyond
“In the mainframe field, I get to
work with technology that is both foundational and future-driven.
The mainframe’s ability to support critical systems at an unprecedented scale while being so reliable is fascinating to me.”
Hammad Iqbal is a recent graduate of the University of Toronto with a degree in computer science and a minor in math. His first hands-on experience with the mainframe was during a co-op at a major bank. The experience opened his eyes to the critical role of the mainframe in enterprise computing. His newfound interest in mainframes led him to seek out more resources and a deeper understanding of the innovative, breakthrough technology.
“As a student who was close to graduating, I really wanted to enter a full-time role in the mainframe space. And through research online, I stumbled across the IBM Z® Student Ambassador program. I found that it was an amazing pathway to a potential career in the mainframe world, and just a great place to deepen my understanding about the mainframe as well,” says Hammad.
The IBM Z Student Ambassador initiative is a highly selective leadership opportunity for students pursuing computer science or other technical domains, empowering them to champion IBM Z's cutting-edge mainframe solutions on their campus.
Read more“For me, advocacy for the mainframe platform means showing how it can solve current problems while still being relevant for the future. It’s about helping others understand its value in today’s tech world,” says Hammad.
When he introduces other students to the mainframe, he says their general reaction is a mix of surprise and curiosity. Many are initially unaware of how integral the mainframe is to everyday services like banking, travel, and retail. He says that once they learn about its reliability, scalability, and the critical role it plays in supporting large-scale enterprises, their interest grows.
The program has played a significant role in Hammad’s own mainframe journey. “Advocacy has helped me build my personal brand as someone who’s passionate about mainframes, and it’s opened doors to connect with other professionals and learn more. It’s a way to show my skills and dedication to the field,” says Hammad.
Preparing for a career in mainframe“As an IBM Z Student Ambassador, one big thing that we promote is the IBM Z Xplore platform, where new industry professionals, students, or even individuals who are deep in their professional career, can go and upskill their portfolio and dive deep into the mainframe platform,” says Hammad. Along the way to becoming an IBM Z Student Ambassador, Hammad completed the Concepts badge on the IBM Z Xplore platform. He says that earning the badge gave him a solid understanding of mainframe fundamentals, which he says was crucial for building his confidence.
“My ideal next step is to pursue more mainframe certifications, focusing on areas like security, DevOps, and databases. After that, I’d aim for a full-time role as a mainframe developer or systems administrator, where I can apply my skills in real-world scenarios. In a few years, I see myself moving into a leadership role, possibly as a lead engineer or systems architect, helping integrate mainframes with technologies like AI and cloud solutions,” says Hammad.
Foundational and future-driven“In the mainframe field, I get to work with technology that is both foundational and future-driven. The mainframe’s ability to support critical systems at an unprecedented scale while being so reliable is fascinating to me,” says Hammad.
“The mainframe stands out for its exceptional security and reliability. Its built-in encryption and access controls make it ideal for handling sensitive data, while its ability to maintain high uptime ensures continuous operation for mission-critical systems,” says Hammad. He explains that IBM Z fosters innovation by combining powerful data processing with technologies like AI and cloud.
“As a student, I was always curious about innovation, how the world worked. I feel like the mainframe space really showcases how innovative technology can be, and how pivotal technology is on the global stage, and how it influences different facets of society—how banks and airlines rely on this platform. Just how dependent the world is on mainframe, and how innovative it is. That’s what really attracted me to the mainframe space,” says Hammad.
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