Some Experiences

There are numerous enticing advertisements from unauthorized ERP training institutes encouraging professionals to switch careers in favour of SAP and other ERP software. Add to this the fact that several industries are in a phase of recession while the software industry is booming. Feelings of insecurity and dissatisfaction on the job, add to the professional's conviction that he must take a plunge into the software industry. The belief at this stage is usually that it would cost some money and he would be out of a job for 3 to 6 months, but afterwards, it would pay back many times over.

But usually, the professional may not be prepared for what is in store when he takes the plunge. You can't tell how comfortable the shoes are until you step into it and wear it for some time. Some of the realities that may dawn on the professional only after joining a course for SAP/ERP are:

1. The Institute may have a great front office but negligible training facilities. There may not be any experienced SAP/ERP trainers; A student of the previous batch who is waiting to get a job/project may become your trainer.
2. First one month might be wonderful. You have made the investment of your lifetime which is going to fetch fabulous returns. Dreams of Uncle Sam calling....etc. The trauma starts after that..
Family, relatives and friends might begin to look at you with skepticism, as a person who has left his handsome paying job for GOK (God Only Knows) future. You are not a money earner for the family anymore; You might have spent all your savings to pay for the training. You might be hearing stories of other trainees who have completed their training and waiting for the job; Or who have gone abroad and on the bench; Or those who have been sent back because they don't have enough functional expertise or they don't have any implementation experience or they don't have good communication skills (Remember for those who want to go abroad COMMUNICATION SKILLS in ENGLISH - not Hinglish - is very very important). Remember that the emotional stress would be enormously high from the time you finish your training and till you get a job/project.
3. The average age of a software professional is around 30 years. If you do not belong to this age group, you may feel out of place.
4. You start feeling uncertain about your future. Suddenly the pay cheques have stopped and the question - "what if I dont get a decent job" - dawns harshly on you. Not too many professionals had exactly envisaged and prepared themselves for the financial situation in which they now find themselves.
5. The most dissappointing situation could be that the individual may realise that he does not have the knack or attitude to sit for hours at the computer. Or that the last time he had been able to absorb knowledge at a rapid rate was in his final semester at Engineering - and that was 8-10 years ago. This ability has receded drastically since then.

Ergo..

Before quitting your job for greener(?) pastures...
1) Do not be too fascinated by the glamour and decoration around the shoe. The shoe will pinch if it is not your size.
2) Check your financial position. You should be prepared for at least one year of Zero earnings (while your expenses will continue..). Check your total investment. Total investment includes Training costs, your lodging & boarding costs (if your institute is not in your city), potential earnings lost.....
3) Most importantly, obtain the support from your near & dear ones. Explain to them all the risks and get support. This is essential for your emotional survival.
4) Introspect. Make an honest assessment of your strengths and most importantly your weaknesses.
5) Don't lose heart. The experiences mentioned above should help you in your decision making and are not intended to deter you.

I acknowledge the contributions of many of my friends especially Salil Gaonkar - a PS consultant.

Wish You The Very Best !

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John Hill
Kestrel Consulting
Tel: +44 1438 310155
Fax: +44 1438 310131
US v/m: 610 722 5404
US fax: 610 722 5499
E-mail: john.hill@kestrel-consulting.com
Web: www.kestrel-consulting.com