I have been in the Java field for 4 years now. I seem to have reach a stage where I don't really know what my future direction would be like. It's pretty difficult to scale up / move up the corporate ladder if you have Java knowledge. On the other hand, I keep on hearing about good career prospects of SAP consultants, high salaries and the obvious excellent career opportunity to scale up being that SAP consultants deals with the functional aspects of big businesses. I currently have a degree in Bachelor of Computer Science and a Sun Certified Java Programmer certificate. Any career advice on what I should focus on would be greatly appreciated.

IMO, since u having 4 years java experience...why not give a try at SAP? , if u don't like SAP u also can U-Turn back to java mah

i was wondering whether if there is anyone who is also stuck in the same situation as me. Not being able to see the future and not knowing what to pursue in. Any sharing of experience would be good.

well, you should give SAP a try, as you already have a strong Java background, this could help in developing Java using Netweaver.

By the way, Netweaver is a SAP portal that can be developed using Java or the standard SAP programming language ABAP.

SAP is moving away from its client-server methodology into web-based, thus calling it mySAP, which is build on the Netweaver platform.

If you are being offered, a chance to enter SAP then it would be great! Else if not, its better to stick to your line of work, cause there's no point waiting for something that isn't materialize yet, as SAP is quite difficult to enter.

What do u mean by that? Even if u have SAP knowledge, it'll still be difficult to move up the corporate ladder if u just stick to purely the SAP knowledge. One needs to do more than that to scale up.

i think the SAP Daniel's refering to is the typical SAP R/3 that most people r familiar with, not SAP the company. Anyways, SAP M'sia is very very small.

If you want to give SAP a chance, you can take up SAP course by your own expenses and pass the certify exam then your path to enter SAP will be better than those without SAP experience. I love SAP after I have enter SAP. Not about the salary but the learning experience that I can gain in SAP and many area I can expose to from supplier chain to logistics, finance....

This post has been edited by mner: Apr 18 2006, 06:21 AM

I think the course costs around RM24000.

Yes, SAP R/3, exactly. The R/3 is the old client-server platform, that is slowly becoming obsolete. mySAP is web-based which have all the functionality of R/3 but uses the NetWeaver platform. And to develop in NetWeaver, you can do so using ABAP or Java.

Hello Daniel. I know that there is no worse feeling than thinking that you're not able to move forward anymore.

What you need is a change in organization, NOT a change in skillset. A small company can only take you so far. Perhaps it's time you packed up and moved on to greener pastures.

An MNC for example can afford to hire highly-skilled and experienced personal such as yourself, and train you if neccessary to fit into your new role. The challenges in a new environment will get your blood racing again, so you won't feel so demotivatred anymore.

I'm not saying "don't go and get certified", I'm saying by choosing the right company, they will recognize your contribution and will pay for your certificates anyways.

Hope this helps Daniel. It's time to move on if you've hit a glass celing.

Hmm you wanna learn SAP and make use of your Java.
try applying for a job at Axon Solutions in Bkt Jalil.

Thanks for the advice. What you say is true.

Hello. I think i also face similar situation. Been working in java almost 3years still doin programming. I think the only way to move up is to be really good which means know everything not only programming but also others skills like multi tasks. Only then the boss recognize the talent. My supervisor is like that know everything from java to database to network. Or another way is go to a company with high employee turn over rate and stay there no matter what. Me I think study is the next step

found this in jobstreet

http://in.jobstreet.com/jobs/2006/4/default/20/814838.htm

seems there are paying RM11k to RM14k for individuals with 3-4 years exp in SAP. Honestly, where can you get that kind of money doing Java?????????

normally they will on hire those who has expertise in SAP administration for tat type of salary.

i saw from yahoo search website, that in US, they offer 75k-145k per annum for SAP consultant. this is quite a marketable job, isn't it....

my office is now using SAP for the accounting system, and i am doing the support,, but still new.. .. just join... so maybe in 3 years time when i have experience... ahahaha.. maybe i can join the US Co and earn teh salary of 145k per year...ahahah. ..but.. how's the market by tehn???

Seriously, this sounds very interesting to me now. I'm doing my degree in computer science. Where can we get SAP cert?

danielchew, me 2 years + already lost direction too, same field with u..and same qualifications...

but normally they press our salary low low if we fresh for SAP. what if u attach with loans?? still wan SAP or java?? i m thinking of how to solve this problem..

i really wanna know why SAP can offer so high salary, is it because SAP less support/programmer compare to java developer? or that product is hard to program?

got dicuss with friends last time, they said java is right direction coz SAP also start to use java to develop system too.. i m not sure.. pls cucuk me if i m wrong.

what about design software architecture? it might our future secret weapon?

Hi every one.. I am new here...

Just want to ask is every one have any brothers or sisters studying From 1- 3 want to have tuition teacher?? Special in Mathematics...

I have a friend can teach very well..in Mathematics...

Besides Mathematics, she can teach Mandarin also..but for Mandarin is open to all people...

If who are interested...pls let me know...

erm...cassy, that has nothing to do with this topic...