Is COBOL a Good Language for Contract Work?

COBOL is often discussed in the context of legacy systems and contract work, but is it worth learning for those looking to tap into this niche market?

Understanding COBOL in Legacy Applications

COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language) has been a cornerstone in the world of enterprise-level applications for decades. Many organizations still rely on COBOL-based systems to process critical data and operations, especially in finance, government, and military sectors. However, most of the work in COBOL is not in developing new applications but rather in maintaining and slightly modifying existing legacy systems.

These legacy applications are often complex and deeply integrated into the business processes of their organizations. Changes to these systems are rarely required, but when they are, they are typically minor and involve fixing bugs, updating data, or integrating with newer systems. This means that the most work in COBOL is often maintenance-based, which can be attractive for experienced developers with a specific skill set but may not be as interesting for those seeking more dynamic or newer challenges.

The Niche Nature of Contract COBOL Work

If you are a beginner looking to enter the field of contract COBOL work, you might want to think twice. The market for COBOL is quite niche, and there's not a lot of demand for entry-level or junior developers in this space. According to industry experts, the pool of experienced COBOL developers is relatively small, meaning that most of the contract work goes to seasoned professionals who have spent decades honing their skills in this language.

While some seasoned veterans earn substantial sums from contract work in COBOL, their experiences and backgrounds are often not easily replicable by newcomers. This makes it difficult for beginners to enter the market and secure their first contracts. The lack of demand for new talent in this field can make it a challenging endeavor for beginners, especially if they are looking for a quick career start.

Alternatives to COBOL for Contract Work

For those interested in contract work but find the market for COBOL challenging, there are alternative languages and technologies that might be more accessible and rewarding. Web development, for example, is a vast and rapidly growing field that offers a wide range of opportunities. Although web development may not offer the same high pay rate as COBOL, the sheer volume of projects means that there is always a need for developers, regardless of their experience level.

Node.js, Python, and JavaScript are popular languages in web development that can be learned relatively quickly and offer numerous job opportunities. Additionally, front-end and back-end development roles are highly sought after in the current tech market, and the skills acquired in these areas can lead to a wide range of career paths.

Considerations for New COBOL Developers

If you are still interested in learning COBOL, especially for the potential of contract work, it's important to consider how to approach the field strategically. One approach is to directly reach out to companies that are hiring COBOL developers and expressing your interest in this niche market. Call them and ask if they are willing to consider a trainee or junior developer. This can help you gain exposure and potentially lead to opportunities that might not be advertised.

Additionally, taking on smaller projects or internships related to COBOL, even if they are not traditional contract work, can be a beneficial way to gain experience and build a portfolio. This can help you stand out to potential employers when they are looking for new talent in the COBOL space.

Remember, entering the COBOL contract work market as a beginner is no easy task. Be prepared to put in a lot of effort and dedication to learning and gaining experience. If you do manage to secure contracts, the pay can be quite lucrative, but the work can also be demanding and less than glamorous. It's important to weigh your options carefully and consider whether COBOL is the right choice for your career goals and personality.

Conclusion

COBOL is a valuable language for legacy applications, but the contract work market is niche and highly specialized. If you are a beginner, it might be more feasible to explore other fields, such as web development, which offer a broader range of opportunities. However, if you are passionate about COBOL and willing to put in the effort to build a career in this field, direct outreach and internships could be a viable pathway to starting your journey as a COBOL contract developer.

Keywords: COBOL, contract work, legacy applications