- Sep 17, 2002
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I currently work as a SAP Consultant for a smaller consulting company. My role has been a functional consultant, but because of my background in programming/system architecture, I have been heavily involved in the technical aspects (technical design docs and programming at our client's implementations). One of the five partners who own our consulting company has taken note of my technical skills and has expressed interest in me joining his team of developers with the intent of me becoming one of the companies system architects.
I started many years ago as a programmer (Java, C, C#) and moved into a System Architect role at my previous company working on a proprietary ERP system. Was given an opportunity to gain experience with SAP by my current company and took them up on it. I have enjoyed my work, but constantly feel the pull of my programming roots. The partner that currently I work under has repeatedly stated that my "soft skills" are too good to waste on the technical aspect of what we do. I'm sure the two partners would support me in either direction I want to take this, so now I really just have to decide what career path is best for me. So laying out the pros and cons:
Functional Consultant
Technical Consultant/Developer/System Architect
There would be no change in pay either path I take. As long as I stay with my current company, either path should not affect my earning potential. Not as sure about future companies though.
Thoughts?
I started many years ago as a programmer (Java, C, C#) and moved into a System Architect role at my previous company working on a proprietary ERP system. Was given an opportunity to gain experience with SAP by my current company and took them up on it. I have enjoyed my work, but constantly feel the pull of my programming roots. The partner that currently I work under has repeatedly stated that my "soft skills" are too good to waste on the technical aspect of what we do. I'm sure the two partners would support me in either direction I want to take this, so now I really just have to decide what career path is best for me. So laying out the pros and cons:
Functional Consultant
Pros:
- More networking which can lead to future opportunities
- In my experience, this route leads to more management roles
- Less likely to be outsourced
Cons:
- Generally lots of travel on a slight hiatus for the last year and a half as I'm on a long term project but will likely start traveling regularly again which does not make my wife happy
- 50-75% of my job is political at the client this gets tiring and is very stressful
- More networking which can lead to future opportunities
- In my experience, this route leads to more management roles
- Less likely to be outsourced
Cons:
- Generally lots of travel on a slight hiatus for the last year and a half as I'm on a long term project but will likely start traveling regularly again which does not make my wife happy
- 50-75% of my job is political at the client this gets tiring and is very stressful
Technical Consultant/Developer/System Architect
Pros:
- I really enjoy being involved in the technical aspects of the system
- Less travel - can do a lot of work remotely
Cons:
- Development/Technical work seems to be the most easily outsourced task in SAP implementation and maintenance. Not sure if this is the best career path from an available jobs perspective.
- Seems less likely to provide as many opportunities to network and further my career
- I really enjoy being involved in the technical aspects of the system
- Less travel - can do a lot of work remotely
Cons:
- Development/Technical work seems to be the most easily outsourced task in SAP implementation and maintenance. Not sure if this is the best career path from an available jobs perspective.
- Seems less likely to provide as many opportunities to network and further my career
There would be no change in pay either path I take. As long as I stay with my current company, either path should not affect my earning potential. Not as sure about future companies though.
Thoughts?
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