137_SUC_SAP Internship- Building Real SAP Skills with Implementation Projects
Topic Covered -
- SAP Internship Webinar Overview
- Breaking into the SAP Industry
- SAP Consultant's Critical Role
- SAP Experience for Job Success
- Implementation Project Structure Overview
- Internship Program Structure and Resources
- SAP Implementation: Understanding Business Processes
- Internship Program Overview and Expectations
- Online Internship for Consulting Experience
- Complimentary Internship Enrollment Criteria
- Internship Program and Server Access
- Java Internship and Mastery Program
SAP Internship Webinar Overview
Parminder introduced a webinar session on internships, explaining that participants could interact via chat and email due to the webinar format. She asked attendees to specify their current work status and SAP-related experience, noting a diverse audience including functional consultants, freshers, end users, and those learning various SAP modules. Parminder assured that all questions, whether addressed during the session or not, would be answered via email.
Breaking into the SAP Industry
Parminder discussed the challenges of securing SAP consultant positions despite extensive training, highlighting that while many people pursue SAP training, only a small percentage gain employment due to a lack of practical experience and project exposure. He emphasized the importance of understanding why companies prioritize experienced candidates and explained the "chicken and egg" dilemma of needing experience to get a job but needing a job to gain experience. Parminder encouraged participants to reflect on how to address this challenge and decode the requirements for breaking into the SAP industry.
SAP Consultant's Critical Role
Parminder discussed the critical role of SAP consultants in implementing and configuring the SAP software for businesses, emphasizing that successful SAP implementation depends on experienced consultants who understand business processes and can handle complex configurations. He highlighted that while SAP is a standardized software, its success varies based on how it's implemented, citing examples of both successful and failed implementations. Parminder stressed the importance of hiring experienced consultants for large businesses, comparing SAP to a "pumping heart" of a company's operations, and warned about the severe consequences of incorrect configurations or untested changes, which can lead to significant financial losses and legal issues for implementation companies.
SAP Experience for Job Success
Parminder discussed the importance of having experience in SAP for job opportunities, emphasizing that the market demands job-ready individuals with a strong understanding of project handling. He shared his personal journey of learning SAP over 20 years, highlighting the value of practical experience and the need for a deep understanding of implementation projects. Parminder also explained the Sastra Geek internship program, which provides training across various SAP modules and offers project exposure to help individuals become market-ready consultants.
Implementation Project Structure Overview
Parminder explained the structure of implementation projects, which typically last 3-4 months and involve explaining business processes and providing detailed documentation. He described weekly Thursday sessions where he covers implementation topics, assigns tasks, and reviews assignments, with team meetings held over the weekend to address cross-functional issues. Parminder emphasized the importance of integration skills, noting that candidates often struggle with this aspect during interviews, and mentioned that the implementation project provides a miniature version of full-scale projects he has worked on ranging from 4 to 18 months in duration.
Internship Program Structure and Resources
Parminder discussed the structure and phases of an internship program, emphasizing the importance of team building and project preparation. He shared a blog post detailing a previous implementation project, highlighting the roles and responsibilities of various team members. Parminder also introduced a link containing resources for the internship, including videos of past sessions and project details. He encouraged participants to ask questions and provided contact information for the support team.
SAP Implementation: Understanding Business Processes
Parminder explained the importance of understanding business processes before implementing SAP systems. He described a document that outlines the business operations, including manufacturing, distribution, and procurement processes across different geographical locations. Parminder emphasized the value of hands-on experience through role-playing exercises and watching YouTube videos to gain a comprehensive understanding of the business. He also mentioned a prerequisite course on SAP implementation that includes 70 hours of training. The discussion concluded with plans to prepare for a Fit and Gap Workshop and to create questionnaires for business process clarification.
Internship Program Overview and Expectations
Parminder explained the structure and expectations of an internship program, detailing the tasks and responsibilities involved. The program includes working on shop floor designs, creating enterprise structures, preparing business blueprint documents, and writing functional specifications. Participants will gain hands-on experience through various project phases, from exploration to realization, and will have the opportunity to develop confidence through practical work. The internship will provide exposure to different aspects of consulting work, including system configurations and end-to-end testing, ultimately preparing interns for future interviews and professional growth.
Online Internship for Consulting Experience
Parminder explained that the internship is an implementation project exposure program conducted online, requiring participants to dedicate at least 20 hours per week. He emphasized that the program is for individuals willing to put in effort, as it helps build consulting experience and enhances CVs, leading to more interview calls and confidence in handling complex projects. Parminder clarified that while the program is not for profit and does not offer payment, it provides valuable experience and can lead to paid opportunities with clients if participants successfully complete interviews and placements.
Complimentary Internship Enrollment Criteria
Parminder explained the criteria for enrolling in a complimentary internship program. To be eligible, participants must have access to two bundle courses from Sastra Geek Solutions and complete the mastery course with at least 70% knowledge. The internship lasts 3-4 months and runs parallel with the excellence course. Alternatively, experienced consultants with over two years of experience can directly join the internship if they have the required module knowledge and bundle access.
Internship Program and Server Access
Parminder discussed the internship program, explaining that students need server access for 6 months but often need to renew it due to delays in completing mastery. He emphasized the benefits of the program, including practical experience on company servers and preparation for implementation projects. Parminder also introduced upcoming batches and encouraged participants to join the Mastery Batch to gain module knowledge before the next internship begins. He clarified that the Gurukul program is not suitable for everyone and requires a diamond membership, offering a 360-degree development for consultants. Parminder advised participants to check their eligibility for the internship and emphasized that there are currently no discounts on courses.
Java Internship and Mastery Program
Parminder discussed the internship program and mastery bundle, explaining that the 70-hour Java Mastery course covers topics relevant to internship questions. He clarified that while separate development and testing environments are not available, the program provides valuable knowledge without additional costs. Parminder also addressed questions about bundle eligibility, career guidance, and SAP package expectations, emphasizing the importance of email communication for further inquiries.