N2i: What I wish I knew when I started my IBM i Career

What I wish I knew when I started my IBM i Career is a practical roadmap for early-career and aspiring IBM i professionals looking to build momentum within the ecosystem. Drawing from real-world experience, this session explores how conferences, mentorship, community involvement, and side projects can accelerate growth and create meaningful career opportunities.

Attendees will learn how to engage strategically at IBM i events, approach interviews with confidence, identify skill gaps, and build credibility within the community. The session also addresses common misconceptions about networking and professional development in the IBM i world.

Participants will leave with clear, actionable steps they can immediately apply to strengthen their career trajectory and become active contributors to the IBM i ecosystem.

Jacob Anderson

Associate Software Engineer

Fortra

Jacob Anderson is an IBM i developer focused on bridging traditional business systems with modern technologies. He works with RPG, SQL, and IBM i development tools to deliver practical, modern solutions on the platform. Jacob is passionate about integration, modernization, and making IBM i development more approachable for the next generation of programmers.

He is a COMMON Certified Associate Application Developer, a 2026 IBM Champion, and an active contributor to the IBM i community. Jacob also serves on the SEMIUG board and contributes to community-driven technical initiatives. He runs The i Developer’s Corner (theidevcorner.com), where he shares insights, projects, and ideas to help others explore what is possible with IBM i.