I am a fresher and I want to make a career in SAP

Freshers in casual conversations started off like this while talking on their job hunting preparations. When I ask why they want to choose SAP the answers usually are It is hot, cousin is working in it drawing a handsome salary. It is trendy. These answers I hear make my heart go out for them thinking about the prospects these people face after they complete their training.

Next if I probe further and ask which area of SAP you are picking I hear SAP MM, SAP HR, SAP FICO, and SAP SD. What is your qualification and when did you pass out?

Eighty percent say I passed out very recently and says I am an MBA HR and hence picking SAP HR, A MBA fin guy opts for SAP FICO and a MBA marketing guy opts for SAP SD.

Are these okay? Perfect. 

But there is a catch. Where is the domain experience corresponding to the functional modules? 

What is it? Why do I need it? Read on to understand.

 Catch!!!??? Does that mean SAP doesn't have any fresher openings? Yes they do have but they are more than accounted for by the campus drives and reference hiring. If I train in SAP is there a chance I will get a job? Having seen the SAP recruitment space closely for more than 9 years I will say there are but very less.

Before you start SAP training understand that going for SAP Functional career without any prior domain experience will be trying to swim with your hands tied in a shark infested sea. Understanding business scenario, organizational processes, inter department communications, approval mechanisms etc is a must to have before you start thinking of making SAP your career. The only shortcut for acquiring this is domain experience for some years. So if you are planning for an SAP or an ERP career plan well ahead. Prepare for a two-year fight on your hands. Get into the domain corresponding to your education.

There are career gurus who differ with this approach but this will be beneficial in the long run of your career and will give a strong foundation for it. Research well. As a fresher if you are choosing SAP you have to take up the technical or systems side.  SAP ABAP and SAP BASIS have scope for fresher hiring. So if someone guides you saying get trained in SAP for a functional module and he can land you in a job rest be assured the person who advises you will suddenly be so busy that he can't take your calls or will be away on some on site assignment.