With the SAP Next Talent program, we give graduating students with an IT profile a chance to continue their career in the company – Radoslav Nikolov, executive director, to Economy.bg
The development center of the German software giant SAP in our country – SAP Labs Bulgaria – launched SAP Next Talent. This is a one-year program for graduating technical students ready to start their career in the company.
What is SAP Next Talent, how long does it last, who can participate, how will it run and is it paid, how does it differ from other internship programs, what are the development center’s plans for growth, how the contraction in the IT sector affects the company , what is the forecast for the development of the IT industry, which jobs can be replaced and which are resistant to AI – we discussed these and other questions with Radoslav Nikolov, executive director.
Radoslav, what motivated you to create the SAP Next Talent program?
The program already exists at a global level in the company, as the start in Silicon Valley was in 2016. The reason for implementing it in Bulgaria is our belief that Bulgarian IT talents are at the world level and after graduating from the university they need opportunities to quickly enter and development in the industry. The program provides exactly this chance, preparing the participants in a very short time for the start of a regular permanent position, and in addition giving them the opportunity to find the most suitable role and team for the start of their career path.
How will the program go? How long does it last?
It is planned to start the groups of participants in the program (cohorts) twice a year – in the months of March and September, and for each group the program lasts 12 months. Participants will occupy a junior role and be remunerated accordingly. On a rotational basis, they will spend 6 months in two different teams, which is aimed at the latest after the end of the program, with good results and a desire to start a permanent position in the company. A large part of the previous participants in the program in the States and Hungary have continued their career path in the company, and we expect similar results in Bulgaria as well.
Who can join it and how?
Students who have just graduated (in 2023-2024) or those who will graduate no later than mid-2025 are invited to apply. The selection process corresponds to our standard practices – apply on the career portal with a CV, followed by an interview with the selection team, a technical interview with tasks and a final meeting with the managers of the teams in which the rotations will take place.
How many people will be able to participate?
We are starting with 30 open positions, hoping to increase the number in the future if successful.
What specific profile are you looking for? Do applicants have to be in IT majors?
Due to the specifics of the work and the company’s focus, candidates with an IT profile are primarily sought, especially software engineers, DevOps, data scientists. However, we are also open to candidates with a different profile who manage to prove the relevant aspiration and desire to develop with us.
What are the application deadlines?
Applications are now open with no specific deadline, but rather work will be done until the open positions are filled with the most suitable candidates. The official launch in the company is currently planned for September of this year, and it is possible to launch even earlier.
Is the program paid?
Participants will receive remuneration commensurate with the remuneration of a regular junior position in the company together with all related benefits.
Will you offer jobs to successful graduates?
The goal of the program is precisely for the participants to stay long-term in the company in regular positions. It is possible for this to happen even in a short period of 3 – 6 months after the start of the program or after its end in case of positive results.
What form will the training take?
Participants will work full-time on real business projects and case studies in order to get into the subject matter and get an idea of the work environment as quickly as possible. In addition, they will have the opportunity to participate in special trainings and sessions modeled on the teaching material in Silicon Valley. Each participant will be provided with a mentor colleague from the company, to whom they can turn with any questions, feedback and additional need for assistance.
What will SAP Next Talent graduates actually know and be able to do?
Graduates will be fully prepared to enter a permanent full-time position. Within the program, they will have become familiar with the company’s key decisions, current projects, the software development cycle in a technological corporation and basic topics such as security, reliability and sustainability of a given product. In addition, participants will also develop their personality and communication skills by participating in various events, presentations and career sessions. The program aims to create a community and help participants expand the reach of their professional network.
How does this program differ from other internship programs?
I would highlight the differences specifically with our own internship program – SAP internship experience program. Our internship positions are aimed at students in the earlier stages of their studies, giving them flexibility regarding the number of working hours and the opportunity for a longer period of exposure to the subject. Internship contracts have an option to extend for up to two years and are based on the understanding that the main focus for students is their academic education.
Unlike the internship program, SAP Next Talent is looking for graduating students who are ready to take the next step and commit to their career development. The program takes place full-time and the participants follow an accelerated methodology to enter the work routine and responsibilities. Applicants are expected to already possess the knowledge, skills and potential to continue in a regular position within the company for shorter periods of time. In addition, through the rotation in different teams, they have the opportunity to experiment and find the most suitable role for themselves.
How big is the SAP Labs Bulgaria team at the moment?
At the moment, we count nearly 1,500 people.
Late last year you announced plans to grow by up to 300 people a year. Are they still valid?
Yes, we believe that 2024 will be a very favorable year for SAP Labs Bulgaria. We have hired more than 200 people since the beginning of last year, with new positions constantly being opened and we expect this trend to continue in the coming months. After the opening of our new office in September 2023, we regularly welcome guests from the company’s management, which is a sign of the readiness for investment in the location at a higher level.
Are you feeling the contraction in the IT sector?
We are feeling the contraction on a global scale and the more moderate levels of growth. Locally, we are seeing a greater number of applicants for our open positions, as well as an increase in applicants with longer tenure and experience.
How are these trends affecting interest in careers in the industry?
I don’t think interest in a career in the field has waned. As in the last 20 years, the demand for talented personnel continues to be greater than the supply. I believe that with well-set goals that are pursued with consistency, there are good opportunities for everyone. Along with our diverse collaborations with universities, I see that enrollment continues to grow and interest in IT majors is high. Another positive trend is that students who graduated abroad are increasingly choosing to return to Bulgaria due to the attractive career opportunities in the sector.
What is your forecast for the development of the IT sector this year?
I believe that the sector will continue to grow, but at a slower pace than in previous years – a trend that is also visible in the annual Basscom Barometer survey and forecast. The introduction and wider use of (generative) artificial intelligence will unlock new specialties, as well as lead to the need for additional training and retraining of IT professionals.
How does the advent of AI change companies’ requirements for programmers?
The introduction of such a revolutionary technology requires a change in attitude and way of thinking. I believe that IT professionals need to think entrepreneurially – to be open to learning about technology and what it provides them, exploring how they can use it for themselves and maximize their own output. The use of artificial intelligence can contribute to faster software development and focus on creative work, while repetitive tasks can be automated. Of course, this openness to technology is also related to the willingness to take some risk that code not developed by the specialists or companies themselves will be used in their products and services.
Which jobs can be replaced by AI and which are sustainable?
For now, it is difficult to make a prediction in this direction and only time will tell what is sustainable and what can be replaced. Even with repetitive actions in production, robotization in execution reaches 70% and the human factor remains important.
Rather, I believe that artificial intelligence will take professionals in various specialties to the next level. Thus, the latter will be able to focus on more creative work and higher added value.
More information about the company and currently available positions can be found in the profile of SAP Labs Bulgaria Ltd. in JOBS.bg here
