Thought of writing a Blog from a long time. Finally sitting down to write it. I hope my SCN friends like it. :smile:
"I believe I have just learnt to swim in this vast Ocean called SAP, I have to go miles and miles before I dive in to this Ocean"
My journey started with a company called Sadana Warehousing. We were in to warehouse where we used to hold the stock of Nestle India Limited and cater the North Eastern part of India (Assam - land of One horned Rhino, Ma Kamakhya temple, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur - land of Mary Kom, Rukmini:-Lord Krishna;s wife, Arunachal Pradesh - land of Parashuram Kunda [not is China, integral part of India], Tripura, Meghalaya - wettest palce on earth, asia's cleanest village). We were working in a legacy system and SAP was being implemented by Nestle with a mission of Go-Live across most of the countries during the period 2005 (faint memory). Here I got an opportunity to work on the Master data, Super User training and much more. SAP at that time was just like an another software for me where I need to feed in the daily data, but the kind of excel files, the screens we use to get seems so confusing.
Once the Go-Live was done, we had to work for long hours due to connectivity issue, new screens, errors. I was too ignorant but more frustrated that what kind of software is this :smile: . However, things went fine after few months, and I use to complete my work very quickly (you need to know the shortcuts in SAP for that).
One of my good friend Mr. Mayur Goswami who was in Delhi (Capital of India) advised me to pursue a career in SAP. He advised that SAP has got a lot of opportunities why don't you come and try for a SAP Job. I though might be in the capital, I will get good package and why not to give a try. Well! my salary was 6000 only at that time . I thought let's try for a something bigger, however, the fear was always in my mind that I am a simple graduate.
Anyways, I packed my bag and with big dreams I landed in Delhi ignorant of the fact that SAP is not only entering few T-Codes. I tried for many companies, but was very though to get in. To start my livelihood, I started working with IBM. Days passed, years passed (and I kept on forgetting the screens too). Finally, I made up mind to do a certification course in SAP thinking that it will give a boost to my career. I applied through JKT and went thorugh an Online course. My shift in IBM was a night shift (supporting US customers for Yahoo!). I use to reach home at 5.00 am in the morning study for two hours, make my breakfast (more like a dinner to me) and sleep. On every Saturdays and Sundays, I used to go for my Online classes. Well! when I used to sit in a class, the kind of Screens/transactions/customization I use to see is totally going out of head (Is it so difficult, I thought so). Even, I was searching where the IMG Screen is :smile: .
Finally, I got the Certification taboo and first thing I have done was to add the SAP Certified Associate Logo in my resume.That is in 2011. Then came the period which made me happy (because I was certified) and equally frustrated because as a Certified Fresher you do not even get a call for a Support job too. By that time, I also got married (with my girlfriend after having a relation for about 6 - 7 years). And, responsibilities became much more. I was desperate and frustrated. I remember my first Interview with Capgemini where they were hiring SAP freshers. I somehow booked a ticket and went to Mumbai to appear in the interview. OMG! Does SAP has something like this - few terms never heard of, or never imagined. Asked me few T codes - which I was not able to give a satisfactory reply. So, I came back from my first SAP interview as a Consultant :!: .
I came back home, and again began studying them. Once the certification is over there is no system with me where I can put on some hands on practice. Then, one of my friend guided me to install SAP (Not legal) and do some practice. Also, I took some further training with some experienced consultants. At this point of time I can say that I was introduced to SAP. One of my trainer *** friend Mr. Javed asked me to help him with some of his training classes. I did so. And during Saturdays and Sundays, I went to his place to learn more. I believe the bookish knowledge in SAP and Hands-on with a trainer makes the difference.
I use to get calls; however as usual experience required (Lakhya, if you have atleast 1 roll out or Support I can help you, but no fresher - this was the answer.)
Well, I never thought of I will write this much. But, I am pouring my heart out and every word I am typing is giving a relieve to my heart. Will continue this Blog in a Second Part.
http://scn.sap.com/community/career-center/blog/2014/09/25/my-journey-in-to-sap--2
