Starting a career in SAP: An insight blog from Graduate Trainees

By Shubhada Kolte, Namir Khan and Inaya Farooqui

We want to take a moment before we start to express our deepest gratitude to Bluestonex for being the catalyst for our journey into the SAP world. With Bluestonex, we’ve delved into diverse SAP technologies, experiencing transformation along the way. Now, we are motivated to share insights on SAP career building. 

 A fulfilling career in SAP can be pursued by anyone with an interest in user experience (UX) design. Because SAP solutions help organisations optimise their operations in today’s tech-driven environment, user experience is crucial to productivity, efficiency, and user happiness. SAP UX designers are in charge of creating user interfaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and simple to use, enabling users to navigate complicated operations. UX designers are an essential component of the SAP ecosystem.

In this blog post, we aim to share insights and guidance for fellow graduates, and Professionals who aspire to embark on a rewarding career journey in SAP. Throughout this blog, we’ll delve into the diverse career paths available within the SAP ecosystem to begin with, spanning SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP), SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC), Fiori development, SAP modules, ABAP, functional and technical consulting, and more. 

Where to start

To start with, here are the steps you may take to start your career with SAP: 

Evaluate your skills and qualifications: 

 SAP seeks individuals with a bachelor’s degree in computer science or IT; however, even if you don’t have an IT background, you can still pursue your career in SAP by having the right set of skills. The relevant skills include understanding business processes, knowledge of technical and SAP modules, and solid soft skills. Familiarise yourself with SAP’s main offerings, such as ERP, CRM, BI, and SCM, to learn how they streamline business processes across industries. 

Gain SAP certifications: 

 Earn SAP Certificate to enhance career opportunities and demonstrate proficiency in SAP technologies to potential employers and clients. There are several types of SAP certifications available, each addressing a different SAP solution, module, and function within an organisation. This will definitely help you stand out in the job market.  

Acquiring practical experience:  

SAP values relevant job experience. Consider acquiring experience through internships, co-op programmes, or entry-level jobs. Working hands-on with SAP improves your comprehension and sharpens your skills. 

Expand your network and build relationships:  

Networking can be considered an effective way to gain access to opportunities at SAP. Utilise professional networking platforms like LinkedIn to expand your network and stay informed about potential opportunities.  

Stay updated:  

Blogs, seminars, and conferences can help you stay up to date on the newest SAP technological breakthroughs. Continuous learning keeps you competitive and relevant in the dynamic SAP world. 

Be persistent and consistent:  

Getting a job in SAP may need patience and dedication. Accept comments, learn from losses, and adjust to changing industry expectations to advance your career. 

 

In-demand SAP technologies that can kick-start your journey:  

1.  SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP): you can Dive into the world of application development, integration, and extension using SAP BTP, leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as SAP HANA, SAP Cloud Platform, and SAPUI5.  

You can enrol with the below link of fantastic resources for expanding your understanding of BTP and gaining a better understanding of how it can shape your career path.  

 Learning Resource:  https://learning.sap.com/learning-journeys/discover-sap-business-technology-platform  

 

2. SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC): Specializes in data visualization, predictive analytics, and business intelligence with SAP SAC, helping organizations derive insights and make informed decisions based on real-time data. 

 

 Learning Resource:  https://learning.sap.com/learning-journeys/exploring-sap-analytics-cloud?url_id=text-gl-hp  

 

It’s packed with valuable content that can enhance your knowledge and provide clarity on pursuing a career in SAC. 

 

3. Fiori Development: Embark on a journey of user experience (UX) design and development with SAP Fiori, which is also one of many aspects of Bluestonex where we excel. Create intuitive and responsive applications that enhance user productivity and satisfaction.  

Some Fantastic resources to learn more about Fiori and UI5 development: 

  Learning Resource:  https://learning.sap.com/learning-journeys/learn-the-basics-of-sap-fiori  

UI5 Guide: https://sapui5.hana.ondemand.com/ 

Fiori Guide: https://experience.sap.com/fiori-design/ 

 

4. Functional and Technical Consulting: 

 

4.1. Functional Consulting & SAP Modules: SAP functional consultants play a pivotal role in understanding clients’ business processes and translating them into SAP solutions. As a new graduate, you can specialize in SAP modules such as Finance (FI), Materials Management (MM), Sales and Distribution (SD), Human Capital Management (HCM), and more. Your responsibilities may include requirements gathering, system configuration, testing, and user training. 

 

4.2. Technical Consulting & ABAP Programming: Technical consultants focus on the technical aspects of SAP implementation and customization. Fresh graduates can pursue roles in areas such as ABAP Programming, SAP Basis administration, SAP Security, SAP HANA, and Fiori development. Technical consultants work closely with functional teams to design, develop, and deploy custom solutions aligned with business requirements. 

 

ABAP Development: ABAP Development is also part of technical consulting you can Master the art of programming in SAP’s proprietary language, ABAP (Advanced Business Application Programming), to customize and enhance SAP applications according to business requirements. Like I started my sap career as being ABAPer . 

 

SAP ABAP Guide:  https://help.sap.com/doc/abapdocu_750_index_htm/7.50/en-US/abenabap.htm 

 

Job Opportunities to Start an SAP career:

You can pursue a variety of professional routes and positions as a SAP UX designer. The following are some possible positions:

SAP Fiori/UI5 Developer:

Create SAP Fiori apps utilising UI5 (technology, making sure the user experience is smooth and aesthetically pleasing.

UX/UI Designer for SAP Solutions:

Closely collaborate with business analysts and SAP consultants to create user interfaces for different SAP modules that are in line with user wants and business requirements.

SAP Fiori Consultant:

Offer experience with SAP Fiori installation projects, offering clients best practices guidance and creating user-experience-enhancing solutions.

 

Final thoughts

The field of SAP offers a wealth of opportunities for new aspiring or experienced professionals of other domains who want to embark on exciting and fulfilling careers.  Remember the wise words of Steve Jobs: “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.”  

With dedication, continuous learning, and a passion for technology, you have the power to shape a fulfilling career in SAP that aligns with your aspirations. Best wishes for a fulfilling and rewarding adventure ahead! 

 In conclusion, pursuing a profession in SAP UX design provides access to a dynamic and constantly changing area. You may set yourself up for success in this fascinating field by combining a strong educational foundation, SAP Fiori expertise, practical experience, and a proactive networking strategy. The importance of the user experience (UX) designer position grows as companies continue to emphasise UX within their SAP ecosystems. Thus, take advantage of the chance, engross yourself in the field of SAP UX design, and set out to pursue a rewarding and influential profession.