🚀 IBM Z Learning Journey

Welcome to my IBM Z Learning Journey repository! Here I track my progress through IBM Z courses and certifications, showcasing my achievements and badges along the way.

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🏁 Learning Roadmap For IBM Z-Developer role

1. IBM Z 101: Foundations

   • Mainframe basics: hardware, z/OS, JCL, ISPF
   • Languages: COBOL, REXX, Python
   • Hands-on labs & badges

2. Application Developer 201

   • Core developer training
   • Build & maintain COBOL applications
   • System design, DevOps & cloud basics

3. App Modernization

   • Wrap COBOL into APIs
   • CI/CD pipelines, DevOps for IBM Z
   • Testing strategies, integration with modern stacks (React, Golang, OpenShift)

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🏅 Achievements / Badges

Intro to Cloud

Intro to Linux

Docker Essentials

Containers & Kubernetes Essentials

Intermediate Kubernetes Operators

IBM z-os Developer

• Badge: IBM z/OS Mainframe Practitioner
• Score: 28/30
• Passing Score: 24/30
• Badge verification is available via Credly

IBM z-os Fundamental and concept Badge

• Badge: IBM z/OS Mainframe Practitioner

• Badge verification is available via Credly

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IBM Werkstudent Full-Stack + Mainframe + German Roadmap

This repository contains my 12-month roadmap to become a top-tier IBM Werkstudent candidate for the Winter 2026 intake. It integrates full-stack development, mainframe skills, and German language learning.

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Roadmap Overview

Step 0: Sep – Oct 2025

• IBM 101 Completion: IBM Z fundamentals, COBOL basics, JCL, REXX scripting, optional PL/I exposure
• German A1: Grammar, basic conversation, everyday vocabulary

Months 1–2: Nov – Dec 2025

• Java Refresh: OOP, classes, objects, collections, exceptions, mini CRUD project
• German A2: Past tense, modal verbs, basic workplace and IT vocabulary

Months 3–4: Jan – Feb 2026

• Spring Boot CRUD + AWS Deployment: REST APIs, database integration, Docker deployment
• German A2+: Intermediate grammar, software and IT-specific vocabulary

Months 5–6: Mar – Apr 2026

• Microservices + DevOps Basics: REST communication, Spring Cloud, Docker/Kubernetes/OpenShift, CI/CD
• German B1: Subordinate clauses, future tense, passive voice, technical discussions

Months 7–8: May – Jun 2026

• COBOL + JCL: Mainframe programming, job submission, payroll/student records project
• German B1+: Conditional sentences, complex subordinate clauses, project descriptions

Month 9: Jul 2026

• REXX + Automation: Automate batch jobs and COBOL program submissions
• German B2 Foundation: Advanced sentence connectors, professional vocabulary

Month 10: Aug 2026

• PL/I Exposure: Optional mainframe programming
• German B2: Professional communication, workplace emails, technical vocabulary

Month 11: Sep 2026

• Mainframe + Java Integration: Expose COBOL/PL/I programs as REST APIs, integrate with Spring Boot apps
• German B2: Polish technical discussions and project presentations

Month 12: Oct 2026

• Portfolio Finalization + Application Prep: Deploy all projects, CI/CD setup, GitHub documentation, apply to IBM and top-tier companies
• German B2: Confident communication for interviews and workplace

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Optional Enhancements

• Node.js microservices integration
• AI / Watson API integration
• Monitoring dashboards (Grafana / Prometheus)
• Additional IBM Z/mainframe certifications

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Goals

• Build full-stack projects with Spring Boot, microservices, and cloud deployment
• Gain mainframe expertise with COBOL, JCL, REXX, PL/I
• Achieve B2-level German proficiency for professional communication
• Have a strong portfolio to showcase to IBM and other top companies

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How to Use This Repository

• Follow the roadmap month-by-month
• Update GitHub with your projects as you complete each milestone
• Include German documentation for projects where possible
• Track progress on mainframe skills with small COBOL/JCL/REXX projects

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Author: Niklas
Target: Winter 2026 IBM Werkstudent Intake
Languages: Java, Spring Boot, COBOL, REXX, JCL, PL/I, German (A1 → B2)

Let’s connect:
LinkedIn

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