We are very pleased to welcome our new team member Luca Moldovan.
Introduction
I spent most afternoons after school and entire summer breaks at my grandparents’ house, where an old IBM desktop was sitting untouched on an old desk. My grandma allowed me one hour per day on the computer, and those limited sessions sparked my curiosity about how computers work. I started learning about the operating system the computer was using it was Windows XP installed, at that time I could not understand why the computer was so slow. 🙂
Early Computer Exposure
At age twelve I saw that nobody was using the computer anymore not even me, I was curious how the computer is looking inside so I disassembled it in my basement, removing the motherboard, RAM, and hard drive, and then reassembled it without issues. This first hands-on experience made me passionate about building and understanding hardware.
Learning Programming
Before high school, video games led me to learn C#. After that in high school followed by HTML, CSS, and then C++. I also explored Kotlin and Python. C felt restrictive, but C++ clicked and became my preferred language. Each new language taught me problem-solving and reinforced my interest in software.
Academic Decision
Raised on my parents’ finance conversations, I considered economics first because I heard about AI replacing programmers. Ultimately, I chose Computer Science at Constructor University Bremen. Early coursework was challenging a lot of work to do ,a lot of self study sessions and advanced algorithms but I remained committed.
Discovering Mainframes & Becoming an IBM Ambassador
At the start of the semester, I discovered an IBM club on campus. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to join until the name “IBM” reminded me of my old computer, so I decided to sign up. Through the club, I learned about mainframes and realized this field perfectly blends my passions for finance, economics, and computer science. I had no prior knowledge about enterprise , but I quickly began researching the field and earning the IBM digital badges. In the mean time I also joined the IBM ambassador program and I look forward to contribute as much as I can to the IBM club on campus.
Internship at Living Mainframe
After completing my first year of studies, I secured an internship at Living Mainframe, where I look forward to gaining hands-on experience, advancing my skills, and deepening my knowledge of mainframes. I’m especially excited to work alongside seasoned professionals whose expertise and guidance create a supportive, collaborative atmosphere. This positive work environment motivates me to work hard, push my limits, and contribute meaningfully.
Conclusion
From dismantling that IBM desktop to becoming an IBM Ambassador and intern at Living Mainframe, I’ve combined hardware and software skills with a background in finance. Moving forward, I plan to deepen my understanding of z/OS security, explore COBOL modernization, and mentor others interested in mainframe technology.
Dear Luca, we’re pleased to welcome you to the Mainframe Team. It’s truly encouraging to see motivated young professionals taking an interest in mainframe technology. Welcome!
