How did you get your start in SAP?

[Former Member]

Ideally I think I would do this as a poll, but since I'm new to SCN blogging, this will have to do. This post is intended to capture information in it's most compressed form. I have another post for collecting stories. Please check that one out as well!

In this post I'm looking for your abbreviated path to SAP.

Typical path

Bachelor's --> Master's --> Entry Level Job ( 2 years) --> Entry Level SAP job ( 2 years) --> SAP Support Job (2 years, started 2010) --> Trained by company --> SAP Certification --> Hired! (2012) --> SAP Consultant

Other path examples

Bachelor's -->  Entry Level Job (4 years) --> Entry Level SAP job (3 years) --> SAP Support Job (2 years, started 2010) --> Trained by company --> SAP Certification --> Hired! (2012) --> SAP Consultant

Bachelor's --> Master's --> Entry Level Job ( 2 years) --> Earned CPA --> Entry Level SAP job ( 4 years) --> SAP Support Job (1 years, started 2010) --> Paid for my own training nights/weekends --> SAP Certification --> Hired! (2012) --> SAP Consultant

Entry Level Job ( 4 years) --> Various jobs with same company increasing responsibility (16 years) --> SME on SAP project initial install (2 years, started 2008) --> SAP Support Job (2 years, started 2010) --> Trained by company --> not SAP Certified

My path

Bachelor's --> Master's --> Entry Level Job (4 years) --> Hired! (1998)  --> Junior SAP Consultant  --> SAP Certification (1999,2004,2010)

What was your path?

Don't forget to tell your story in detail if you like!

Best regards,

  --Tom

[Former Member]

Hi,

nice blog 🙂

Bachelor's --> Master's --> Entry Level Job (IT Consultant non SAP ,4 years) --> Hired --> SAP functional (4Y)

[Former Member]

Thanks for getting the ball rolling Mauro! I was a little worried no one would respond for a bit. -td

[Former Member]

It was a pleasure! I like reasoning around career and personal development.

Regards

[Pazahanick_Jarr]

Hi Thomas

Great idea and mine is Bachelor (Major in Marketing) ->Grocery Business (7 years) ->SAP Consulting (14 years)

Wasn't sure how to put it but I took 5 weeks of SAP training and got certified as soon as I joined the SAP Consulting company in 1998.

All in all it is pretty obvious I took a non-standard way to SAP (ie Marketing/Grocery)

Thanks,

Jarret

[Former Member]

Hi ,

My path is a small one

Bachelor's --> Campus recruit --> SAP Basis(1 Yr 9 months )

[Former Member]

Hi Jarret,

  I'm curious, what did you do in the grocery business for those 7 years? Were you bagging groceries or working in the HR department or did you work your way through multiple departments? There's more to the story, there, I just know it!  --td

[Former Member]

Kudos to you Pradeep!  The saddest phrase I've ever read (and I read it far too often) is: I just graduated college... now what?  The secret that many kids in college don't know is that the time to start your job search is long before you've graduated. Most campuses put a lot of effort into getting companies on campus to recruit and far too few undergraduates take advantage of the opportunity. It reflects very well on you that you did. I predict a bright future!

I'm curious, though, did you do any IT work as an undergraduate? Did you work on campus in one of the computer labs or anything?  -td

[Pazahanick_Jarr]

Hi Thomas

I actually worked in the grocery business from when I was 16 until 28 in virtually every role and department (ie produce, meat, bakery) though I counted the 7 years above after I graduated from University when I went through a  2 year management trainee program and worked my way up to managing over 100 people and a large grocery store. After a few years I moved on to the corporate office in a variety of roles before getting a timely introduction by a friend and jumping to a SAP consulting company (without any real computer or HR experience). It was a lucky break that wouldnt happen today but in 1998 in SAP HCM/Payroll there was a lot of opportunity. My background has given me a unique perspective and I think help me relate better to customers. Having another a career before SAP has also helped me appreciate what a great job SAP is and it is something many that started right out of college dont fully understand.

So a little more to the story and the grocery business still has a fond place in my heart as I love doing all the family shopping 🙂

Jarret

[Former Member]

Thanks Thomas,

Basically, my specialization is Electronics and communications, and I am also interested in programming/coding. I did few projects that deals with coding in my college days and these projects are done in MATLAB.

So I have no IT background before entering this field. But I like this field as there are lot things to explore

[Former Member]

Lucky you. Got placed directly into SAP. Its quite difficult getting an entry job in SAP.

[Former Member]

Smallest one

[Former Member]

if only every consultant I worked with had a background in marketing

[Former Member]

So cool

[Former Member]

University - Key User (SD) - BA (SD) - Internal Consultant (SD) - External Consultant (SD) External Consultant (SD & Solution Manager) - external Cosnultant (SD & Solution Manager & CRM) - Contractor

[qmacro]

Degree in Classics (Greek & Latin) -> graduate recruitment into Esso Petroleum, Database Support Group (IMS) -> 1st task write backup & recovery system for monster project, which turned out to be R/2 4.1d implementation -> never looked back 🙂

[Former Member]

Greek and Latin? Cool! I've always said Basis folks have the most interesting stories!! -td

[TammyPowlas]

Love the Greek classics - we must meet some time in person to discuss. 

[_IvanFemia_]

I'm remembering my time studying Latin at the College

[Former Member]

Associate Degree in IT ---> SAP ABAP Training (got the training through employer) ---> Development Consultant(Major in SAP area)

[Former Member]

Wong Chee Mun,

It would be awesome if you could share a little more detail about how you got your first job. Did you work through the campus recruiter? Did you go through a web site? You have quite the jump start on your career!  -td

[Former Member]

By the time I finished my Associate Degree, my head of department received an email by his long time student who started an IT company asking whether there is graduates who want an IT job.

At first, I applied for web developer. But the employer wants me to be a SAP consultant and I just take that opportunity. Before I officially join my boss, he send me to Malaysia Job camp to get a free ABAP course. After the ABAP course, i joined him. This is the second month I joined the company. It is small company but I know that there is so much to learn in this company.

That is how I started. Peace  

[Former Member]

Dear Thomas,

Nice to see this thread. Good Idea!

Bachelor - Campus (Got selected for a job with C/C++. Recession Hits. MNC called me for that after 1.5 yrs) - By that time I had 1.5 yrs work ex in a mid size SAP company & dropped that campus offer (Fell in love with SAP)- No prior Training (Was declared as an expert overnight SDN & its lovely users were my Guru)

Certification - 2011

ABAP & WF - 4 Years

AspireWF

[Former Member]

Bachelor's -->  Entry Level Job (4 years) --> Entry Level SAP job (3 years) --> SAP Implementation Job (2 years, started 2010) --> Trained by company --> Hired! (2009) --> SAP Consultant

[Former Member]

Hi Thomas & all,

Thanks for writing good blog on SAP career path

I am in big dilemma for stating in SAP consultant field. Pls help in my profile is as below. I want to do SAP MM module. But the confusion is about the SAP market in future Or coming yrs. The exposure of SAP in coming yrs. Please help in clearing my douts so that it will be a great help.

Qualification :- B.E ( Mechanical) & PGD- Operation Management.

Location :- India ( pune)

Yrs of Exp:- 3.5 Yrs in manufacturing industry. My work profile was in quality department. Looking after the shop floor quality & vender quality. That is in-warding the good as per the specification ect. Qualifying the production (finish goods) goods. I am end user of SAP QM module & some extend MM module. I am having a good knowledge of purchase depart. how it works.

Now I am thinking of making a switch to SAP as I am very interested in the business process upgrading. And work as an consultant for improving the process. I have worked as process consultant in my organization, as I was actively involved in giving the suggestion for improving the process.

Please suggest me which module is good in term of the exposure, coming future trends & compensation. I have some question ….

1. How is the SAP market now , Do I get job after completing the course from Sap training partner with certification?

2. What will be my entry level , & were I will be down the line 10 yrs.?

3. As I what to be in good management position down the line 10 yrs, does Sap will give me these growth?

4. Which module I should go for?

5. Class room trainig is good OR Online training will wrok in entering the SAP world?

It will be great if you help me…. Waiting for your reply…

[Former Member]

My Path:

Bachelor's -->Recruit in College campus--> Trained by company --> SAP ABAP Consultant Job (2 years, started 2010) --> SAP Consultant

[Former Member]

Hi ,

Bachelor's degree (IT engg)  --> OffCampus recruitment in sap solution providing company --> SAP ABAP +EP (6 months)

regards,

Aashima

[Former Member]

Bachelors of Technology 2006 - Campus Recruitment - Java Web Development 1 year

2008  SAP Basis  till date....

[Former Member]

Hi,

I finished my bachelor's degree in ECE->got job in a startup company as ABAP DEVELOPER.

Actually there was a agreement between me and the company,

They will provide me 6 months training in ABAP,and I have to work for another six month WITH OUT SALARY.

And now am on my 9 month ,learned programming very well,but am not specialised in any other functional module.

This is my path.

Any comments??

Thanks

Askar

[Former Member]

It is interesting to read the many ways people make it into SAP, as for me my story so far is pretty short, with only 3 months in SAP

Bachelors degree (Economics and Finance)----> Intern SAP Consulting --->Awaiting to write my certification exam...

[Former Member]

Always good to see another college intern success story! I'm such a big fan of college intern programs, it's a little embarrassing. Best of luck in your career! -td

[Former Member]

Can you please tell me your company name

[former_member42743]

Bachelor's Animal Science - Pre-vet(1980)-->various laboratory jobs as research tech 6 yrs-->Systems Analyst, Lab automation and Robotics, 5 yrs--> Senior Analyst, Trained while here by company for new SAP system as the IT QM analyst lead, 5 yrs -->independent consultant,1996-present, 16 yrs.

Joe FF

[Former Member]

Thanks for the input! Now I know where to go for QM advice. You got in on the ground floor! -td

[former_member42743]

Anytime Tom.  Feel free to drop into the QM space anytime!!

Joe FF

[former_member213583]

Hi Craig,

I am working for Pharma company in a QC lab and have no experience in SAP.

Where would i start my journey towards SAP?

Thanks

Bhavin

[Former Member]

This message was moderated.

[ulrich_brenner2]

Graduate in Business Information Systems (Diploma) -> hired by same company where I worked on my diploma thesis as working student -> SAP Developer since 2,5yrs

pretty typical german SAP career I guess.

[Former Member]

I appreciate you taking the time to contribute! I am definitely seeing a lot of support for the argument that the best time to look for a job is BEFORE you graduate. We have had a few folks respond to this thread that they got the entre into their post graduate job either through an internship or by working at the company to support their way through school, as you did. This is very valuable information for folks still in college today. Thank you again! -td

[Marssel700]

Hi Thomas,

Great Discussion,

Graduation in Administration -> 5 years Intendancy service as lieutenant in Brazilian Army (3 years Amazon Service) -> SAP FI/CO Academy -> Help Desk SAP Consultant -> Certification -> SAP project Consultant -> Running own non-SAP business -> Still SAP Consultant -> Independent Consultant.

All the best!