IBM Z Student Ambassador Program

Led by students reimagining the mainframe

APPLY HERE
Text highlighting achievements of an organization: 35+ countries represented, 219+ universities represented, 870+ ambassadors and alumni, 145+ clubs and groups started, 12,000+ students joined Z Xplore.

Note: All successful applicants will need to complete the Z Xplore Concepts badge during the application process. Start today.

Group of five men standing in front of an IBM Z and LinuxONE server at a technology conference.

WHY IT MATTERS

IBM Z runs the systems you use every day.

It is the technology you do not see, yet it helps make everyday life what it is today. Every ATM withdrawal, credit card swipe, flight booking and hotel check-in likely touches an IBM Z mainframe. As one of the world's most in-demand and powerful technologies, mainframe skills are a fast track into a technical career and this program is a highly selective way to build them, in partnership between IBM Z and Your Big Year®.

68% of the world's production IT workloads run on mainframes source: https://www-api.ibm.com/adobe/assets/urn:aaid:aem:a0305872-12cb-4962-b0ab-87edc20c150e/original/as/how-mainframes-are-rewriting-the-ai-playbook.pdf
45 of the world's top 50 banks run on IBM Z source: https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/mainframe

1 How mainframes are rewriting the AI playbook 2 What is a mainframe?

THE PROGRAM

Most ambassador programs teach a platform. This one builds specialist skills, a global network, and leadership experience.

This program is interactive and a place to collaborate with our team, your peers and the mainframe community. You are not solo behind a computer. In this program you will access:

Graphics promoting leadership and technical skills training, including 1:1 coaching and mentorship.
Two dark blue rectangular banners with icons. The top banner has a white globe icon and the text "Global peer network of ambassadors." The bottom banner has a white cursor icon and the text "Resources & support for all ambassador activities."
Two sections of informational graphics. The first section has a blue star icon and text about featured spots on YBY and IBM Z channels. The second section has a shield icon and text about IBM Z technical badges and certifications.

The Ambassador Role

Student Ambassadors represent IBM Z on campus for at least one academic year. Here's what you do in this role:

A man wearing a maroon shirt and blue cap giving a presentation about IBM Z skills to an audience, with a screen behind him displaying information about mainframes and cloud infrastructure.
Group of six people standing behind a table at an outdoor community event, all wearing matching IBM Z Windsor Chapter hoodies, with signing materials and games on the table, promoting leading and building community.
A group of ten diverse young adults posing in front of an IBM quantum computer at an event or conference.
A digital quote graphic featuring a motivational quote about personal growth and connections, attributed to Adikhan from Constructor University in Germany. The graphic includes a grayscale portrait of Adikhan and a blue wave design at the bottom.
Quote about an educational program, with a photo of Andre from Toronto Metropolitan University in Canada, featuring a blue wave design at the bottom.
A quote from Blaine, a student at the University of Technology Sydney in Australia, expressing excitement about a job offer in mainframe computing, with a photo of Blaine, who has light-colored hair and glasses, in the bottom left corner.
Testimonial quote about mentor and mentee program, attributed to Sanket from University of Rome, Italy, with photo of a young man with a beard and short hair, set against a blue background with wave patterns.
Quote about learning IBM Z concepts, featuring a portrait of Ethan from North Carolina State University, with a blue wave design background.
Quote from Eugene, from the University of Johannesburg in South Africa, expressing gratitude for a program and working with the YBY team, with a photo of Eugene in the lower left corner on a blue wave background.
Testimonial quote by Gabrielle from Rutgers University, United States, expressing positive experience with a program, with her photo, her name, university, and country included.
Quote from Goncalo, a student from Universidade Lusófona de Tecnologias in Portugal, expressing a positive experience and learning gained from working with others, along with a photo of him.
Thank you message with a photo of Joana from Universidade Lusófona de Tecnologias Portugal, featuring a smiling woman with glasses and braids, on a blue wave patterned background.
A quote about a positive learning experience from a woman named Kasema, with a photo of her, and information about her affiliation with Northeastern Illinois University in the United States.
Quote about learning and earning badges, with a photo of Lasya from University of Chicago in the lower-left corner, and a blue wave design background.
A quote about landing an internship at IBM Z and becoming a Student Ambassador, attributed to Luis from Eastern Connecticut University, with a photo of a young man with curly hair and glasses, wearing a suit and smiling, against a background with blu
Testimonial quote on a digital background with a photograph of a young woman wearing a hijab. The quote reads, 'It was an amazing experience. Thank you so much for the opportunity!' The woman's name is Maham, her affiliation is Leeds Beckett Universi
Quote thanking IBM Z Student Ambassador Program, with a photo of Ramana from Vellore Institute of Technology, India, on a blue and white background.
A quote about gratitude and professional growth displayed in a graphic design with a photo of Taranjeet from Sheridan College, Canada. The quote expresses appreciation for opportunities, mentorship, and skills gained.
Quote on a white background with a blue quotation mark, reading: "This program has taught me to aim for the stars in terms of my dreams and ideas." Below the quote, there is a circular photo of a young man with dark skin, short curly hair, wearing a

IBM Z Student Ambassadors are Globally Based

Click to find out what universities are currently represented.

Interested in engaging with an ambassador? Reach out to us here.

IBM Executives Support our Ambassadors

Get direct access to IBM executives and industry leaders through small-group virtual sessions, Q&As, and exclusive in-person opportunities around major industry events and conferences.

Group of five people standing behind large white letters spelling 'think' at a tech conference in South Africa, with screens displaying IBM and tech-related content in the background.
Promotional graphic for a fireside chat with Ross Mauri, General Manager of IBM Z, featuring a black-and-white photo of Mauri, a blue background with modern wave patterns, and logos for 'Your Big Year' and IBM Z.
A digital invitation card featuring a red play button icon, large white text saying "You are Invited," with a blue banner labeled "Exclusive," and additional text announcing a chief technology officer at IBM Z. The bottom right corner displays a smiling man with blond hair wearing a red and white shirt, set against a dark blue background with dynamic blue lines.
LinkedIn profile header for IBM Z Student Ambassador Program, featuring photos of six diverse young people, a blue IBM Z logo, and a large blue LinkedIn logo, with a dark blue background and white text.

Ambassadors in Action

See what IBM Z Student Ambassadors are building, learning, and leading around the world. Explore their projects, events, and experiences on our Linkedin page and Youtube channel, meet the ambassadors behind the program and get a feel for the global community you could be joining.

YouTube channel page for IBM Z Student Ambassador Program featuring a banner with five diverse students' photos and IBM Z logo, channel logo displaying IBM Z icon and text, and a section with videos including thumbnails of students and titles about technological skills, speaking skills, university-industry gap, and career prospects.

ELIGIBILITY

Who can apply?

Complete the Concepts badge on the IBM Z Xplore platform. It covers mainframe fundamentals and is required at the end of the application process to become a Student Ambassador.

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Peru, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, and USA (including US territories).

Applications

Apply Here
The Z Student Ambassador program is powered by Your Big Year and IBM Z