Question: Desperately looking for a career change from BPO to SAP FICO. Please help !!?
Hi,
I have been in the BPO industry for 9.8 years and am desperately looking for a career change to SAP. When I met a few counselors, they suggested I take up either FI/CO or SD. I do not have relevant experience in either but have completed my graduation - BCom in 2004 through correspondence. The BPO experience just involves being trained on a process and then delivering on the job. I used to work with retail, telecom and insurance processes. It's a mid-life career change for me and since I am 34 years now, I am not able to figure out if it is the right thing to do as I am going ahead with very limited information. My last held position was that of an Asst Manager handling teams.
I just joined a private institute yesterday and paid 18K after the demo class. The person at the institute told me he'll help me find a job after course completion. When I told him, I don't have domain knowledge he said it's okay. To this most of the counselors that I've met say only one thing and that is "You need to work very hard", "brush up on your accountancy knowledge just the 1st PUC syllabus is enough" and you will be able to understand better and we'll assist you in getting a job. I had already tried this with SAS. It was a 3 month course but when I started applying, they were only interested in experienced candidates. So I lost hope and am now trying SAP.
Today, when I sat through the class I was totally disappointed because I was just not able to understand the trainer. He was showing us steps on how to set up a Co and Company Code, Business Area etc under Entp. Structure. He is an SAP Certified consultant working currently and I guess we are his 1st batch of students. He seems confused half the time and it worries me even more as I am very new to it + I've paid the institute the fees. He seems to know things but is not able to explain and put it in a step by step manner.
Here's where I need help from existing SAP FI/CO consultants please:
1. Do you think I could be successful in making SAP FI/CO my career path?
2. Do you know of any colleagues or friends who were in the similar situation and have been able to switch to this industry without any hassle?
3. How do I go about this ? Do I concentrate on learning the Accounting concepts 1st and then look at SAP module ?
4. It's only when you enroll to an authorized center that you get a text book which has a step - by - step guide with print screens on learning to work on systems. The private institutes don't have any self learning material to give us and it becomes difficult to learn when the trainer himself is experimenting while teaching us.
5. Is certification absolutely necessary to get a job in India?
6. After gaining some experience, is it possible to seek jobs abroad without doing certification?
7. Does it help if I learn a foreign language keeping SAP my primary source of income?
Please share your thoughts as it is a very important decision for me to make at this stage.
Thank you and sorry for the long question.
my mail id is : nel_blr@hotmail.com
Regards,
David
Answer:
Switching from BPO to SAP FI/CO will certainly boost your career.
But you must go for a full time SAP training.In Bangalore there are lots of good institutes.
Nidhi Infotech is one among them. I have some good feedback for them.
Rest you can visit their website and contact them directly.
their website is http:// www.nidhiinfotech.com
Dear David, I have not read all your details but i can suggest you to join SAP FICO course if you are interested in Accounting & Controlling in any organization. FI/CO is module of SAP and for finanace account & controlling purpose and this course can available in all major cities by private institution but fees minimum around 1.50 lacs (not confirmed). Before deciding anything please consider all points related. If you know SAP FI/CO, you can get good job in any good company but experience will be required i think for the same. Thanks..Abdul