Kelsey Colberg's Mainframe Journey
Education Program Manager at Broadcom
About Me and My Current Role:
Name:
Kelsey Colberg
Location:
Charlotte, NC
Primary Mainframe Focus:
Education & Career Development
Amount of time in the Mainframe Space as of writing:
Only a year!
🚀My Path to the Mainframe:
Before the Mainframe: My background?
Before entering the mainframe ecosystem, my world was centered on Learning & Development (L&D) across the insurance, automotive tech, and consulting sectors. I earned my Master’s in Industrial/Organizational Psychology with a clear mission: to make work better for people and streamline the way we learn.
The Turning Point: What was the moment or reason you decided to pursue a career in mainframe technology?
I actually stumbled into the mainframe world by accident while looking for L&D roles. When I found a Program Manager position at Broadcom, I didn't even know what a mainframe was! My dad, a tech veteran who started his career programming mainframes in the 80s, finally got his "I told you so" moment after years of encouraging me to join the field.
Key Learning Resources: The most valuable courses, programs, or certifications that helped you get started:
The transition was overwhelming at first, so the MOE Gitbook became an essential resource for me. It was incredibly helpful for breaking down both the industry landscape and the technical components into separate, digestible chapters. This allowed me to build my knowledge base systematically without feeling buried by the complexity of the hardware.
💼 A Day in the Life
This section brings the role to life for the reader.
What is the core problem you solve for your company? I bridge the gap between our customers and our educational resources. We have a wealth of tools available that people often aren't aware of, so I act as the "connector" to ensure those resources reach the right people. Additionally, I lead the modernization of our curriculum. Some of our training materials date back to the 90s; I’m helping bring that education into the future so the next generation of mainframers can learn in a way that feels relevant and accessible.
What are the top 3 technologies or tools you use every day? Since my focus is on education, I spend most of my time in content creation tools like Camtasia and Rise360. I also rely heavily on Gemini to help organize my day and monitor my to-do list, which keeps me from getting overwhelmed by the moving parts of different projects.
What is the most interesting or rewarding part of your job? The most rewarding part is empowering people to feel comfortable in the world of Mainframe. It is such a unique and vital industry, and I love being able to show people that this is a viable, exciting career path they might have never otherwise considered.
💡 Advice for Aspiring Mainframers
What is one key skill (technical or soft) you wish you had learned sooner?
The confidence to admit when I’m lost or confused. The mainframe world is filled with unique acronyms and legacy terminology; no one expects you to know everything on day one. In fact, there’s a common saying that you’re still "new" in mainframe until you have 10 years of experience. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and it's okay to ask for directions along the way.
What is your top piece of advice for a student or professional trying to break into the industry?
Talk to people! The mainframe community is truly one of the friendliest groups out there, and the experts are incredibly willing to help you grow. I’ve gained so much insight just by having casual chats with coworkers. Because many people have spent their entire careers in this space, they are deeply passionate and happy to share the wisdom they've gathered over the decades.
Where do you see the most exciting growth or opportunity in the mainframe space right now?
The opportunity is everywhere. We are currently facing a significant "skills gap" as the veteran generation of mainframers begins to retire. Because so many of the world’s major companies are built on mainframe infrastructure, these systems aren't going anywhere, but the people running them are changing. This creates a massive opening for new talent to step in and secure a long-term, high-impact career.
That's my journey as of January 23, 2026, thanks for listening!
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