Project Management and Communications Associate Review

I really enjoyed my year at SAP. My role gave me really great exposure to the corporate world in a global company. The IT industry is currently going through a lot of change, and so is SAP, which has also made for a far more extensive insight into business challenges. As an additional part of my role, I was fortunate to be selected onto the team of interns who run the intern programme and recruitment for the following year. This was a really great experience, and we were able to take full ownership of this process. This illustrates the level of trust and responsibility interns are given here at SAP. It also makes for a far more personalised intern recruitment process.

My team really made me feel integrated and settled in from day 1, and I can honestly say I have formed some great relationships. At times, I feel the 'intern' tag does stick, something you sort of expect to shed a little once you become more established in your role and organisation.

I started at a time when my team's management team was going through a lot of restructuring, so I only had a buddy to start with. However, once the re-structuring took place, I had a buddy and a HR manager who I regularly met with and was able to speak openly with about my workload, job role, concerns, problems etc. I found this to be a really great support mechanism.

My role was very diverse which I really loved and I was involved in areas of the business outside of my role. SAP promotes a 70/30 split, whereby you should conduct 70% of your workload in your department and 30% outside of your department, to enable the growth of your network as well as business exposure. At times, my workload did become quite hectic, but it was always manageable.

I feel I was given a lot of responsibility in my role as I was able to make valuable contribution to key projects and intiiatives being rolled out to the team, which affected how we engaged with our customers. Additionally I was trusted with confidential information relating to management team activities.

My placement year at SAP has helped me to develop my skills hugely. Comparing the year from beginning to end and my development over the time, I feel far more confident now in the place of business, as well as for applying for graduate schemes. The corporate skills I have built over this year are truly invaluable, and I know for sure, this puts me ahead of those who have not opted for a placement year. Knowing how to deal with business situations, as well as knowing how to effectively communicate, are all skills you develop on a sandwich year and are all skills which are pinnacle to succeeding in entering into a graduate scheme.

SAP maintains a very open and friendly culture, something which is endorsed by the recent refurbishment the main office here in the UK has undergone. SAP employees always work very hard in order to deliver, whilst simultaneosly embodying a culture which enables you to build your network more easily, as well as to integrate into the company. The general view of interns in SAP is extremely positive, and the company is always very welcoming

Overall the workplacement was set up well. However there were some inconsistencies along the way.

I was fortunate enough to go onto a half week long training course, which gave an overview of SAP. I also had access to a large range of training resources. My HR manager had also worked with me to create goals. However, the extent to which my progress was monitored was minimal. I also didnt recieve regular reviews, with feedback etc, which made it hard to know areas of improvement. I know that for the next lot of intakes of interns, there is work being done to address this.

There isnt currently a formal graduate scheme in place here at SAP, which I did find to be a real shame. I know there are currently discussions happening about potentially implementing a graduate scheme in the near future. There is though a Sales Academy which has been set up, designed to attract early talent (young talent). This academy trains individuals to become the best of the best when it comes to sales, whilst also providing extensive sales training over in the USA.

Yes there were always social outings happening.

I was living at home this year, so didnt have to worry to much about household expenses.

Very close to central. Some of the more immendiate surrounding towns also have good night life.

Yes. SAP has a variety of different sports clubs you can attend.