The SAP Developer Junior Graduate Program is a six-month training initiative designed to equip young professionals with skills and knowledge in SAP's Business Intelligence tools and technologies. As one of the most widely used enterprise software solutions, SAP ERP plays a major role across industries, yet finding skilled professionals remains a challenge. For any new beginner, learning SAP technologies requires vast resources of time and finances. This is why, we are conducting this graduate program for a second year to bridge the gap between academia and industry, providing sustainable professional development opportunities for young talent in a globally sought-after field. 

Six months in three words: Growth, Challenges, and “aha” moments

Last year, we welcomed junior professionals into the program. We asked them about their experience with the program, and here are their insights - we hope they act as growth motivators for all things young talents can do. Read on to learn how our junior developers went through the process.

Step 1. Preparing for the challenge.

All our junior developers come from technical backgrounds, where they have studied and prepared well to start their programming journey strong. They have solid fundamentals on essential concepts in programming, algorithmic thinking, and problem-solving.

For our SAP Junior program, we have tried to make the selection process as easy as possible. It includes a review of CVs, a short HR interview, a technical assessment, and a final meeting with our German colleagues. Upon successful interview process, the candidates are ready to begin.

Step 2. The first months in the Juinor program. 

The program lasts six months. They are filled with lecture modules to teach different tools and technologies. The training is conducted at the company's NV Tower office by German colleagues who are SAP experts. We have carefully designed a curriculum with timetables and schedules to ensure that every aspect is covered. Once the lecture part has been delivered for a module, the students are given tasks for which they have to propose solutions.

This is when the initial competence doubts normally come. What we have learned from the insights of our junior developers is that to overcome the initial doubts, having trust in the process, staying patient, and embracing learning step-by-step is essential. 

Boyanna: "My biggest 'aha' moment was realizing that we would be working hand-in-hand with German colleagues on a real project for a major automotive brand. The fact that all communication would be conducted in either English or German added a new layer of challenge and excitement."

Step 3: Soft Skills training and mentoring

Starting something new always comes with uncertainty, and many participants initially worried about keeping up with the complexity of SAP. However, our junior developers found that with support, mentorship, and perseverance, they were able to take on these challenges and grow into their roles.

We have seen that having direct guidance from mentors boosts confidence like nothing else and accelerates learning. We also prepared our students for their consultancy role by providing soft skills and professional communication training.

Boyanna: “The most exciting moment for me was when I found out that I would have a mentor. Every meeting with him was exciting—we had frequent sessions, worked on a personal project together, and he guided me throughout the process.”

Dimitar: "My biggest fear was the possibility of failure—learning completely new concepts, coding in a specialized language, and working with new people. Looking back, I would tell my past self: Stay calm and optimistic. No one expects you to grasp everything instantly. The support from colleagues is invaluable, so don’t worry!"

Daniel: "Before joining, my biggest fear was whether I could keep up with SAP’s complexity and fit into a large organization. Now, I would tell myself to trust the process. Growth takes time, and no one expects you to know everything from day one."

Tihomir: "I had zero experience in SAP technologies, and I didn’t know what to expect. But I’m glad I jumped in! My advice to my past self: don’t worry, enjoy learning new technologies with great developers in an amazing work environment."

Step 4: Real-world tasks and projects

Hands-on learning and real-world applications, collaboration with international teams, and seeing the work come to life helped them make significant progress in understanding SAP.

Yoana: "I used the skills and knowledge I obtained during the program to do the project for my bachelor thesis. It was my first big project done entirely on my own, from database to backend and frontend. It was a breakthrough for me because I finally grasped how different SAP technologies integrate."

Daniel: “I was surprised by how much collaboration and innovation happen within SAP development. I initially thought it would be mostly about maintaining legacy systems, but there’s a strong focus on new technologies, cloud solutions, and continuous improvement. Also, the community and knowledge-sharing culture make learning much easier than I expected.”

Sergey: "Watching something I created from zero actually come to life was a game-changer for my confidence in problem-solving. Instead of just following instructions, I learned how to break things down, troubleshoot effectively, and develop practical solutions."

Dobromira: “The program is not just about technical skills - it's about understanding how everything fits together. There's a bigger picture behind every task, and once I started to see how my work fits into that, it changed the way I approached problem-solving.”

Step 5: Graduation and the way forward

After the intensive training months, the participants who rise to the challenge and show results successfully pass their probationary period. Then, they are ready to take on real-project roles and feel the impact of their learning journey.

Advice for Future Participants 

If anyone is considering joining the program, our Junior SAP Developers, Yoana, Dimitar, Tihomir, Dobromira, Sergey, Boyanna, and Daniel advise:

“Be proactive and take ownership of your learning. Connect with colleagues beyond the program. Engage, experiment, and learn from others. Everyone at Sopra Steria can enrich your experience. Take advantage of company events, socialize, and engage with the team. Be patient, and curious, never give up, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Stay persistent, don’t rush the process and you’ll build a solid foundation for growth and celebrate your progress.”

What is New in the Second Edition? 

Taking inspiration from last year’s cohort, we have refined and expanded the program to offer an even more enriching experience. For our second edition, we are looking for 15 new talents to create even more direct collaboration with industry experts. The program kicks off in April, and we are excited to welcome a new group of aspiring SAP professionals! By the end of the program, the participants will complete their training, gaining valuable skills, industry insights, and a strong foundation for their careers.

If anyone is eager to develop specialized SAP skills, work alongside industry professionals, and take the first step in their IT career, we would love to hear from you!

Apply now

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