I never finished highschool, but I speak six languages fluently, and can understand, read and write a few more.
I learned for car mechanic. When I moved cities, fate put me in an apartment next to someone who worked for IBM. I got interested in computers (mainframes), got a job with IBM and the rest is history.
Function: Senior Analyst-Programmer on Mainframes
IT-Experience: Since 1968
Systems: mostly IBM Host (from the [8KB Memory] IBM 1401, via S/360, to MVS S/390), UNISYS Host 1100/2200 (TIP & HVTIP), ICL Systems 10 & 25
DB-Systems: DB2 (full SQL), IMS-DB, VSAM
DC-Systems: TSO (ISPF), JCL, IMS, CICS
SW-Tools & Methods: Expediter, DumpMaster, Endevor, Easytrieve, FileAid, Changeman, Structured programming, Interactive programming, Jackson Design
Programming languages: COBOL, COBOL II, COBOL MVS (Language Environment), Microfocus-, Meta-, Delta- and Jackson-COBOL, ASSEMBLER, PL/1, REXX
Applications worked on: Data Warehousing, Stock Exchange functions, Year 2000 Conversion, Credit Management, Monetary Traffic, Portfolios, Migration / Conversion / Data Transfer, Parts Department Management, Inventory, Invoicing, Bookkeeping, Statistics, Ordering and Shipping, Videotext-Applications, Management Info-Systems
I was contracting since 1985, and retired in 2002.
My PC knowledge is based purely on a hobby and need-to-know level.