Need some info about about the various IT domains and career options

[hotshot05]

I will be joining an Indian MNC this month. I am a fresher from a non-IT background. I am more interested in computers compared to what I studied in my graduation. I want to grow as a developer.

The main problem with my company is that more than likely I will be assigned Mainframes or Testing (since their Java .NET batches are full. My friends who joined just 2 weeks ago in my location have all been assigned testing. Those who joined a month before they were given Java and .NET)

With regard to Mainframe, I heard that it is mostly about maintaining code which were written 20-30 years ago. I read a few forums and people said that new code is very rarely written as it is mainly used by Banks and if something breaks, it will be a disaster.
Is there any scope of growth in Mainframe? As far as I know, Mainframe is used in the BFSI domain. Will I ever be able to use newer technologies like Java or .NET if I change companies? These are also used to make applications in the BFSI domain.

And with regard to Testing. Is testing better than Mainframe or worse? As far as I have heard, Indian service companies have a lot of testing projects. But the workload is lower for those working in testing.
The workload is not a factor for me. Career growth and interesting work are my main criteria.

I have learnt Python by taking online courses and reading from the documentation tutorial. In India, nobody seems to be recruiting freshers for Python related projects.

Please don't ask me to refuse the job offer as the market conditions are very bad right now. Many of my friends are trying to get a job in Bangalore and none have suceeded so far.
I had enrolled in a Linux device driver + kernel development course just a month ago(in CDAC). For the last batch, placements were pretty low and 2 companies even went back without recruiting a single student. For the course, the no of students placed is in single digits right now. So even though I was really liking the course, I decided to take up the job offer.

 

[Rico]

I will be joining an Indian MNC this month. I am a fresher from a non-IT background. I am more interested in computers compared to what I studied in my graduation. I want to grow as a developer.

Congrats.

With regard to Mainframe, I heard that it is mostly about maintaining code which were written 20-30 years ago. I read a few forums and people said that new code is very rarely written as it is mainly used by Banks and if something breaks, it will be a disaster.

It's a Myth.

Is there any scope of growth in Mainframe? As far as I know, Mainframe is used in the BFSI domain. Will I ever be able to use newer technologies like Java or .NET if I change companies? These are also used to make applications in the BFSI domain.

Growth - yes there are many areas of growth.
use of Java or .Net - depends on the project and typically Java or .Net people will be working along with you. on thier technology respectively.

Please don't ask me to refuse the job offer as the market conditions are very bad right now. Many of my friends are trying to get a job in Bangalore and none have suceeded so far.

Mainframe is not wider spread or used as JAVA or .NET . But it is used extensively.
Some more light on the Technology.

Where it is used?
Mainframe is ,was and always will be a Robust and Stellar technology.
It's is used by bigger organization with huge data mostly banks , Insurance companies and some Automobile manufactures too.
Why mainframes?
Mainframes are most secure (cannot be hacked) ,robust and faster. So Most/all of the Backend database for these companies are in Mainframe.

As a career it is a complete myth that coding is done 20/30 years ago and one has to maintain, it's like still some people still say "AMD processors produces more heat than Intel counter parts".

Coding is actively done from scratch or existing one is modified for current business requirements.
Typical roles in mainframe would be
*Developer - Coding, Testing ,code maintenance . (Would suggest you to be this)
*Tester - no knowledge of coding is required but they test the code with business requirements.
*Production support - coding and testing would be done by someone/other clients or other companies . But the application will be maintained by these guys.
In case of Error or famously called as "Abend" should be resolved within the SLA i.e within time limit.
usually work in shifts.

You can PM at me for more info.

cheers,
Rico