Exploring COBOL Opportunities Around the Globe
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Chapter 1: The Global Reach of COBOL
"Loving life is effortless when you're overseas. In places where no one recognizes you, and you hold the reins of your existence, you become the true master of your fate."
— Hannah Arendt, a renowned political philosopher and Holocaust survivor, captures the essence of exploring the unknown.
For COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) programmers, it’s essential to acknowledge that this language remains actively utilized in various countries around the world. Contrary to predictions of its imminent decline decades ago, COBOL continues to thrive, presenting seasoned programmers with the chance to travel internationally.
Main Countries Utilizing COBOL
According to Enlyft (2022), data from 37,547 companies reveal that while the majority are based in the United States and the United Kingdom, there is also significant COBOL usage in India, Canada, France, Brazil, Italy, Spain, Australia, and Germany.
Finding COBOL Employment Abroad
If you're a COBOL developer contemplating a move to one of these countries to continue your professional journey, I've gathered insights to guide your decision.
By conducting simple searches on LinkedIn for "COBOL Programmer" positions across various nations, I discovered the following opportunities:
- United States: 3,757 jobs
- United Kingdom: 195 jobs
- India: 396 jobs
- Canada: 181 jobs
- France: 173 jobs
- Brazil: 669 jobs
- Italy: 30 jobs
- Spain: 63 jobs
- Australia: 57 jobs
- Germany: 103 jobs
The data clearly indicates a robust demand for COBOL professionals globally.
Securing Employment in a Foreign Country
To delve deeper, I consulted an article from Indeed, titled "How to Get a Job in Another Country," which outlines the following steps:
- Identify the type of position you desire.
- Choose your preferred country.
- Search for appealing job listings.
- Apply for a visa or work permit.
- Customize your resume and submit your application.
For experienced COBOL programmers, the path to working abroad is straightforward: select your desired destination and navigate the outlined process.
Despite the ongoing discussions about modernization and the challenges associated with legacy COBOL systems, it's easy to feel disheartened about a future in COBOL programming. However, the abundance of international job opportunities suggests that a successful career in COBOL can lead to fulfilling global experiences.
If you’ve been considering such a move, I hope this exploration provides you with valuable insights.
Chapter 2: The Importance of COBOL Today
The first video titled "The World's First COBOL Compilers" delves into the historical significance of COBOL and its evolution over time.
The second video, "Most IMPORTANT Programming Language to Learn in 2024 for Job Security is COBOL!" emphasizes the relevance of COBOL in today's job market, highlighting its necessity for career stability.
Article originally published by me on my blog www.demystifyingCOBOL.com on July 10th, 2022. Updated for republishing on Medium.