Solved: Career ladder in SAP

Former Member · ‎2014 May 28

Hi

Can anyone advise on what is the career ladder in SAP. It starts with working as a consultant. what are the next steps ? Where does it end ? what is the highest end ?

Thanx

Pankaj

Former Member · ‎2014 May 28

Hi ,

Have a look at the blogs collected at SAP Career Blog Links. Specifically, FAQ: Different Career Paths in SAP and the aforementioned How did you get your start in SAP?.

You've mentioned the first step as "consultant". It might be a cultural difference or just a terminology difference, but for most folks, the first step is junior member of the support team. Consultants, in the US, are outside folks hired by businesses for their expertise to accomplish a short term goal (project). Contractors are hired long term to do day-to-day tasks that would normally be accomplished by employees. In either case, businesses tend to want to hire folks with experience as contractors or consultants.

The typical route for someone who did not get recruited into an SAP consulting practice prior to graduating from college is to get an entry level position in the Information Technology department or in a functional department and then gradually move from that entry level position into a support role position and THEN to leave and become a consultant or contractor.

This is covered in Advice for Recent College Graduates (aka "Freshers") and Advice for Students Interested in a Career in SAP.

Hope this helps!

Best regards,

--Tom

former_member187748 · ‎2014 May 28

Hi Pankaj,

generally career in SAP starts with being a consultant, then as you got experiences you will be as another roles, Please read this beautiful link for better understandings.

Former Member · ‎2014 May 28

that is a great link.

could you help me understand what could be these ""änother roles"".............u mentioned

former_member187748 · ‎2014 May 28

Hi Pankaj,

another roles means Solution Architects, Application Developer etc etc.

Former Member · ‎2014 May 28

Dear,

By increasing your SAP experience your Role will be changed Developer, consultant, Solution Architects .. etc..

former_member182997 · ‎2014 May 28

Agreed with

and

Also you can go through this blog

BR-Aparajit

Former Member · ‎2014 May 29

hi aparajit

thanx for the blog.

very interesting.

Former Member · ‎2014 May 28

just simple consultant it is very wide meaning

There are can be junior with 1 year expirience and senior 10 years with lot of large projects and with understanding of couple of modules

as about ladder? in standart:

1.Fresher

2. Junior consultant

3 consultant

4. Sr. consultant

5. team-lead

6. Architector of some way(for instante, logistic or finance architect)

7.Solution (general) architect

9.PM

10. Chief of SAP practice

some notes^

PM can be as parallel role, without practice as a consultant

p 6 can be only in a real large projects

p4 and 5 can be as one person

Former Member · ‎2014 May 28

Hi Pavlo

thanx very much for detailed ladder.

very helpful.

pankaj

Former Member · ‎2014 May 28

Hi Pankaj,

You can mould yourself towards growth in various directions in SAP. There are two main ladders to climb. You can choose the managerial side or the technical side. On managerial front, you will be heavily involved in managerial activities like project management, program management and like wise. For this you can adopt the pragmatic direction i.e. starting as consultant being hands on and gradually climbing up the ladder or if you have previous NON SAP project management experience and then you develop good understanding of SAP environment, still you can get into these roles.

Technical Side: When I say technical side, I dont mean ABAP, BASIS etc, but gaining hands-on experience as consultant and then further heading towards indepth technical expertise roles like Solution Architect or Technical Architects etc.

You can even blend about techo commercial experience and be a independent consultant and provide your technical expertise through consulting services.

Honestly, there are so many ways you can actually shine in our SAP industry if you have right attitude. It is just about thinking out of box, focusing and allowing your inner SAP passion to drive. Most of the time starters think about problems rather than solutions. If you think about solutions, you will reach your destination.

Again, you have to analyse yourself for choosing your ladder in SAP?

1. Personality: Introvert / Extrovert. Are your people oriented or task oriented? Are you analytical or creative?

2. Are you more like a manager or architect?

3. What experience / Skills you have gained from your previous roles? Analytical / Managerial etc.

4. Did you enjoyed those experiences while managing people or you find more pleasure working alone and managing your own desk?

5. How you can utilise your previous experience and skills in SAP in order to grow?

So, there is lot of analysis you need to do for yourself and then you have a rough framework, we can further guide you on the path.

Regards

Shanu.

Former Member · ‎2014 May 29

Hi Shanu

another 5 tough questions. i try to answer as below:

1. Personality: Introvert / Extrovert. Are your people oriented or task oriented? Are you analytical or creative?

introvert.

task oriented.

analytical

2. Are you more like a manager or architect?

architect

3. What experience / Skills you have gained from your previous roles? Analytical / Managerial etc.

both.

4. Did you enjoyed those experiences while managing people or you find more pleasure working alone and managing your own desk?

managing people

5. How you can utilise your previous experience and skills in SAP in order to grow?

i have very very strong functional experience in finance. however new to SAP.

Former Member · ‎2014 May 29

Pankaj,

Based on this I would then suggest you to choose the technical ladder. In that case, you have to compromise on other aspects.

Regards

Shanu Patil.

Former Member · ‎2014 May 29

Hi

thanx for your feedback.

u mentioned ""compromise on other aspects""......what would be these other aspects ??

Former Member · ‎2014 May 29

Salary, which you were moaning about previously.

Former Member · ‎2014 May 29

so do you mean to say that technical ladder has less salary as compared to managerial ladder.??

Former Member · ‎2014 May 29

No, you are getting me wrong. You mentioned earlier that you got a job offer as consultant at entry level but they have proposed you the less salary. So, I mentioned that if you are technically focused, you can go for that job without thinking about the offered compensation. Once you start on their path and gain the experience, you would be able to get a good salary later on.

In SAP industry, all are equally paid and treated according to experience and expertise.

Regards

Shanu.

Former Member · ‎2014 May 29

oh ic.

thanx for your guidance and information.

it was very helpful.

Former Member · ‎2014 May 29

You are welcome. I am always happy to guide SAP consultants. I hope you are getting answers and right guidance.

Regards

Shanu.

Former Member · ‎2014 May 28

Hi ,

Have a look at the blogs collected at SAP Career Blog Links. Specifically, FAQ: Different Career Paths in SAP and the aforementioned How did you get your start in SAP?.

You've mentioned the first step as "consultant". It might be a cultural difference or just a terminology difference, but for most folks, the first step is junior member of the support team. Consultants, in the US, are outside folks hired by businesses for their expertise to accomplish a short term goal (project). Contractors are hired long term to do day-to-day tasks that would normally be accomplished by employees. In either case, businesses tend to want to hire folks with experience as contractors or consultants.

The typical route for someone who did not get recruited into an SAP consulting practice prior to graduating from college is to get an entry level position in the Information Technology department or in a functional department and then gradually move from that entry level position into a support role position and THEN to leave and become a consultant or contractor.

This is covered in Advice for Recent College Graduates (aka "Freshers") and Advice for Students Interested in a Career in SAP.

Hope this helps!

Best regards,

--Tom