Pros and Cons of Entering a COBOL Developer Role Post-Graduation

As a 26-year-old with a Computer Science degree, considering a career as a COBOL developer immediately after university may seem like a promising step. However, it's important to weigh the pros and cons to determine if it aligns with your career aspirations and long-term goals.

Pros of Pursuing a COBOL Developer Role

High Demand

Legacy systems in crucial industries such as finance, healthcare, and government continue to heavily rely on COBOL. Due to a shortage of skilled COBOL developers, there is a high demand for professionals in this field, making you a valuable asset.

Job Stability

Companies are increasingly focused on maintaining and updating these critical systems rather than replacing them entirely. This trend offers long-term employment opportunities and job stability for COBOL developers.

Good Salary

Gaining a COBOL developer position often provides competitive salaries, particularly due to the scarcity of qualified professionals. This can lead to significant financial stability early in your career.

Niche Expertise

Pursuing a career with COBOL can set you apart from other developers specializing in modern languages and frameworks. This niche expertise can open unique career opportunities.

Learning Opportunities

Working with legacy systems can provide extensive insights into software engineering, system design, and business processes, skills that remain relevant in today's digital landscape.

Cons of Pursuing a COBOL Developer Role

Limited Scope

COBOL is primarily used in specific industries and is less versatile than modern programming languages such as Python, Java, or JavaScript. This could limit your career options in the long run, making diversification a critical consideration.

Outdated Perception

In some quarters, COBOL is viewed as an outdated language. This perception can affect how you are perceived in the broader tech community, potentially limiting networking opportunities with peers focusing on more modern technologies.

Potential for Transition

Starting a career in COBOL might make it challenging to transition to more modern programming languages or technologies later on. It's essential to stay proactive about learning additional skills and technologies to maintain your relevance.

Work Environment

Working on legacy systems may expose you to environments that do not fully embrace modern development practices, resulting in a potentially less dynamic work environment.

Job Market Uncertainty

While there is a current demand for COBOL developers, the longevity of these jobs is uncertain as companies may eventually move to more modern technologies. This could affect job security in the future.

Conclusion

If you have a genuine passion for working with legacy systems and are open to transitioning to other technologies in the future, a career as a COBOL developer can be a solid choice. It offers job stability and good salaries, but it's crucial to evaluate how this aligns with your long-term career goals and interests in technology. Continuous learning and skill expansion will be essential to keeping your career options open.

By weighing these pros and cons, you can make a well-informed decision that sets the foundation for a fulfilling and successful career in technology.