just another newB, that needs advice!

[Former Member]

OK guys and girl,

So like the title says I am a complete newb and don't know much about SAP. As of right now I am pursuing a Computer Science degree, just starting my freshman year.

I've done a little research and am very confused with all the different modules SAP has and different fields... As of right now I'm in a field of work that has nothing to do with SAP. My question is, which field in SAP would you recommend for me. I've visited the education page here and found out how expensive those classes are, so before I make the investment I want to be sure that whatever field in SAP i pursue will land me a job after getting certified... Which out of all the fields SAP offers which one do you think has the most potential from growing?

Thanks in advance,

(I apologize if Im posting in the wrong forum)

[stephenjohannes]

I moved your thread over to the right place. You might want to check out the University Alliances community on SCN here, to see if your school is a member.

In terms of area of study, if you are studying Computer Science, yes you can get involved with SAP software on the technical side or get a business minor or double major and shoot towards a technical functional degree.

Personally for me I have a Computer Science degree and I work in techno-functional role on the CRM module. You might also want to look at some of the blogs by Otto Gold.

Take a look at this blog by Otto Gold for some ideas:

/people/otto.gold/blog/2010/03/31/want-to-switch-to-sap-consultancy

Take care,

Stephen

[former_member184657]

A more appropriate blog from Otto Gold for you to read: [Start your SAP career right from school|http://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/scn/weblogs?blog=/pub/wlg/19234] [original link is broken] [original link is broken] [original link is broken];.

The bottom line is, there are quite a few interesting and useful blogs in the Career Center blog area by Otto Gold, Kenneth Schieffer and host of other bloggers which you will find useful. Please search for them.

pk

[OttoGold]

Hello, I have added one more: /people/otto.gold/blog/2010/08/20/what-would-i-do-if-i-were-a-sap-newbie

regards Otto

[Former Member]

I really appreciate all the help given in this forum, you guys have sent me the right way. After reading Ottos blog I have a better idea of what I will be trying, but I still have a few questions that I will like you guys to give me your opinions...

Things I will do starting today:

1. Download demos/trials (NetWeaver trial)

2. Buy some reading material on NetWeaver and search for tutorials online to get a feel for it...

3. I will NOT pay for any training right now(very, very expensive!!!), I will first try to understand SAP as much as possible and then I will see where that takes me. Maybe like Otto said in his blog, try to find a company that will pay for my training or land a job that would allow me to learn while working...

This are the things I will start doing today...

Another question that I have is, can I build a career in SAP without an education degree?

Heres why I ask... I'm in my freshman year in school pursuing a career in CS like I mentioned in my first post. I have to work a full time job to provide for the family and go to school at the same time, which is not easy. My plan is to put my career(CS) on hold and dedicate my time to learning SAP and hopefully in the near future develop a career in SAP... I know most employer just care about experience and how good you are at what you do...

Thanks in advance guys!!!!!

[stephenjohannes]

To answer your question it is possible but not as easy as it used to be. Honestly IMHO the Bachelors degree in any disclipine is needed for most professional jobs in the IT field. The problem is usually most job requirements beyond the experience portion ask for educational requirement of a bachelor's degree. Keep in mind this is for my local market in United States and YMMV by location.

In United States another valid option to get started without a degree is to try to find a local helpdesk job(they still do exist) of a company running SAP. If you have good customer service/tech skills you can usually enter the field in those jobs without needing a degree, but keep in mind it still won't be easy.

Understood fully about trying to go to school, work full-time and have a family. I can definitely vouch that family and work is enough to keep busy and I could not imagine adding school into the mix.

Take care,

Stephen

[Former Member]

Thanks for the reply Stephen. I want my bachelors so bad you cant imagine but at the same time I want to get experience on SAP and I just cant stop working... I dont know how Im going to do this, but for now Ill just try to learn as much as possible on my own. thanks