Home > Archive > Cobol > December 2006 > Got a COBOL job
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| Hey all, I just got a job offer to be a COBOL (and maybe a little
javascript and vbscript) programmer. I'm pretty excited about it,
though I haven't programmed professionally, it will be a good
opportunity within the company. I'm no spring chicken either, fyi, kind
of did that 'go back to school' thing.
So, I accept the job tomorrow. I've had one semester of COBOL. I need
to give 2 w s notice, or more on my current job with the same
company.
I need encouragement! I'm a fair programmer, have taken quite a few
classes the past few years, but I'm a little worried. I know they will
be gentle with me, but how do you start off running on a job like this,
maybe it's impossible.
What are those divisions again, lol, Procedure, that was an important
one I remember, lol.
Thanks
Impy
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| Kelly Bert Manning 2006-11-27, 6:55 pm |
| "Impy" (kraig.ronning@gmail.com) writes:
>
> What are those divisions again, lol, Procedure, that was an important
> one I remember, lol.
IE DP
That is, Data Processing.
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| In article <1164664981.798652.312670@h54g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>,
Impy <kraig.ronning@gmail.com> wrote:
[snip]
>So, I accept the job tomorrow. I've had one semester of COBOL. I need
>to give 2 ws notice, or more on my current job with the same
>company.
>
>I need encouragement!
May you find the job to be interesting to you, beneficial to others and
providing of generous remuneration.
Never be afraid to say 'I don't know, I have to look that up.'
Never be afraid to say 'I have to think about that.'
Never be afraid to walk out on people who do not respect such needs.
DD
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| HeyBub 2006-11-28, 6:55 pm |
| docdwarf@panix.com wrote:
>
> May you find the job to be interesting to you, beneficial to others
> and providing of generous remuneration.
Pick two.
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| I pick interesting and generous, lol, but it takes forever to make
decent money here. Their standards are pretty low though, they hired me
afterall, lol
thanks for the tips
Impy
HeyBub wrote:
> docdwarf@panix.com wrote:
>
> Pick two.
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| Robert Jones 2006-11-28, 6:55 pm |
| Bottom posting
Impy wrote:
> Hey all, I just got a job offer to be a COBOL (and maybe a little
> javascript and vbscript) programmer. I'm pretty excited about it,
> though I haven't programmed professionally, it will be a good
> opportunity within the company. I'm no spring chicken either, fyi, kind
> of did that 'go back to school' thing.
>
> So, I accept the job tomorrow. I've had one semester of COBOL. I need
> to give 2 ws notice, or more on my current job with the same
> company.
>
> I need encouragement! I'm a fair programmer, have taken quite a few
> classes the past few years, but I'm a little worried. I know they will
> be gentle with me, but how do you start off running on a job like this,
> maybe it's impossible.
>
> What are those divisions again, lol, Procedure, that was an important
> one I remember, lol.
>
> Thanks
> Impy
Good luck
When you find which version of COBOL you are using, you can usually
download the manuals from most suppliers for free, the error message
manuals are also very handy as are the associated utilities manuals,
file handling manuals, JCL manuals, etc.
If you really have forgotten most of what you learned some time ago,
then Thane Hubbell's book Teach yourself COBOL in 24 hours from SAMS is
quite a good idea, not very expensive and comes with a free compiler
for non-commercial use.
Robert
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| I got that book, so that's  , plus a dummies book and the text book
from the class. At one time I was very eager to get into COBOL, bought
a bunch of books on COBOL, mainframes, JCL, etc, then figured I
wouldn't get in, sold them, gave up on the whole idea. In fact, I
didn't actually apply for this job, she was just in on the interview
for another one, so that's interesting kinda. Maybe it's my
destiny......? (lol)
I am looking forward to it, it has to be better than tech support,
yikes! I think I can be a fair to middlin' programmer, eventually.
thanks all
Impy
Robert Jones wrote:
> Bottom posting
>
>
> Impy wrote:
>
> Good luck
>
> When you find which version of COBOL you are using, you can usually
> download the manuals from most suppliers for free, the error message
> manuals are also very handy as are the associated utilities manuals,
> file handling manuals, JCL manuals, etc.
>
> If you really have forgotten most of what you learned some time ago,
> then Thane Hubbell's book Teach yourself COBOL in 24 hours from SAMS is
> quite a good idea, not very expensive and comes with a free compiler
> for non-commercial use.
>
> Robert
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| Alistair 2006-11-29, 6:55 pm |
|
Impy wrote:
> I got that book, so that's , plus a dummies book and the text book
> from the class. At one time I was very eager to get into COBOL, bought
> a bunch of books on COBOL, mainframes, JCL, etc, then figured I
> wouldn't get in, sold them, gave up on the whole idea. In fact, I
> didn't actually apply for this job, she was just in on the interview
> for another one, so that's interesting kinda. Maybe it's my
> destiny......? (lol)
>
> I am looking forward to it, it has to be better than tech support,
> yikes! I think I can be a fair to middlin' programmer, eventually.
>
> thanks all
> Impy
>
Don't be afraid to ask questions (how do I do that?)
Don't bullshit your colleagues or your bosses.
Never pretend to know something that you don't know (or to have done
it)
Listen to your colleagues' advice and follow it.
Keep your head down, especially whilst you are rereading Thane's book.
I remember my first day in IT, I was given a program to debug and took
a long time about it because I was scared of making a mistake. Remember
one thing: they have employed you knowing that you are a junior and
have a lot to learn. If they know their business then they will ensure
that you get a substantial amount of training and supervisor support
(someone should be spending at least 25-33 % of their time supporting
you). As long as you are honest with them then you should fit in just
fine.
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Alistair wrote:
> Impy wrote:
>
> Don't be afraid to ask questions (how do I do that?)
> Don't bullshit your colleagues or your bosses.
> Never pretend to know something that you don't know (or to have done
> it)
> Listen to your colleagues' advice and follow it.
> Keep your head down, especially whilst you are rereading Thane's book.
>
> I remember my first day in IT, I was given a program to debug and took
> a long time about it because I was scared of making a mistake. Remember
> one thing: they have employed you knowing that you are a junior and
> have a lot to learn. If they know their business then they will ensure
> that you get a substantial amount of training and supervisor support
> (someone should be spending at least 25-33 % of their time supporting
> you). As long as you are honest with them then you should fit in just
> fine.
I am but a humble student eager and willing to learn. I am getting very
excited. Maybe a little TOO excited, lol. I've been drawn to COBOL like
a moth to a flame, and everyone knows what happens to those moths, eh?
Thanks for the advice all, I will do my best to follow it, it seems
sensible enough and I've lots to learn.
I will be back, posting comments, questions and experiences. Anyone
know where you can get COBOL shirts and accessories?
Thanks again
Impy
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| HeyBub 2006-12-03, 6:55 pm |
| Impy wrote:
>
> I am but a humble student eager and willing to learn. I am getting
> very excited. Maybe a little TOO excited, lol. I've been drawn to
> COBOL like a moth to a flame, and everyone knows what happens to
> those moths, eh?
They mate.
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HeyBub wrote:
> Impy wrote:
>
> They mate.
That wasn't in the job description! But whatever it takes to compile,
lol
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