Skip to main content
Communication, Art + Technology › Communication
SFU Co-op Student

Brittany and her co-workers
Try creating a new website. Participate in a hackathon and different technical workshops. Have fun with technology and utilize it as a site of play and discovery!

Within the rise of the digital age, the tech industry has become the hub of all industries. This shouldn’t come as a surprise since a huge portion of the top annual revenue companies are businesses that are related to digital technology. Among these top companies is SAP Inc.

In my communications studies, technology and media are frequent topics of discussion. Though I learned about technology within my classes, I was rarely given the opportunity to gain technical, hands-on experience in relation to technology. Due to this, when I began my internship as a Communications Specialist for one of the most popular tech companies in the world, I was very intimidated.

Many of the interns I talked to had some sort of computer science background. I struggled to understand their conversations that legitimately revolved around other languages: coding languages. However, I was determined to learn more about the technology as well as gain technical skills along the way.

Luckily, my newfound goal was not too difficult to start working towards due to SAP’s excellent mentorship program. When I approached my mentor to explain my newfound goal, she provided me with some great tips that she used to familiarize herself with SAP’s tech.

Are you ready to transform yourself from a basic non-technical student to a super savvy technical Communications Specialist? Well then, keep reading!

Tip 1: Talk to people!

When you are working in a company full of technical experts, the best way to learn is to simply talk to others. Setting up informational interviews was super beneficial for both my own knowledge and building my network. I set up at least two informational interviews per week with a variety of experts from different teams.

You may be wondering; how should I set up an informational interview?

1. First, identify your topics of interest.

2. Next, ask people in your existing network, such as a supervisor or mentor, if they can connect you to any experts knowledgeable in your specific topic of interest. You can also use LinkedIn or your company directory to search and contact specific people.

3. Lastly, at the end of your informational interview, make sure you ask the expert if they have any recommendations of other people you can contact. This will provide you with a cycle of informational interviews in which you will continuously grow your network and your overall understanding of the tech industry.

people sitting around a table

Tip 2: Take Advantage of SAP’s Training Resources

SAP provides many free online training resources covering a variety of topics such as leadership, marketing, coding, etc. Take advantage of these resources to expand your knowledge and skillset. If your company does not offer free training courses, SFU offers students free access to LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com,) which is a library of training videos on software, design skills, and business practices.

Tip 3: Take Advantage of Training Resources

Now that you have utilized both technical experts and free online training resources, try gaining hands-on experience with different software and technology. Download different programs and start playing around with its features. Try creating a new website. Participate in a hackathon and different technical workshops. Have fun with technology and utilize it as a site of play and discovery!

people writing on a whiteboard

At SAP, D-Shop is the go-to place for gaining hands-on experience with technology. D-Shop is short for “The Developer’s Workshop” and is a global program that allows SAP employees to experiment and play with hardware technologies. The pictures below show some exciting D-Shop creations.

 

men working on a dronehelicopter pad

 

Overall, these three steps have tremendously helped me gain a better understanding of what SAP offers as a tech company and how I can use my skills to assist the business needs. I wouldn’t say I am a technical communications student yet, but I am on my way to becoming one and hopefully these tips will guide through your technical career path as well! 

Beyond the Blog

  • To learn more about opportunities like Brittany's, visit the Co-op homepage. 
SFU Co-op Student
Connect with Brittany on LinkedIn
visibility  83
Apr 5, 2018

You Might Like These... Volunteering, Community Engagement, Professional Development, Personal Development, Life Balance

STC West Coast
Alumnus Profile: How Crystal Kwon Advanced Her Career Through Volunteerism

Students often overlook one important benefit of volunteerism. While students realize that scholarships and bursaries usually require community engagement, they often forget that volunteerism can also give you the edge you need after you finish your degree.

Kyle and volunteers
Kyle Jung: Expand Your Horizons through Volunteering

Did you know that you can make a difference through volunteering, as well as discovering your passions and career goals? These are just some of the benefits of volunteering, according to Kyle Jung, a 5th-year SIAT student who is also the Vice President of Operations, Interactive Arts & Technology Student Union (IATSU) and the SFSS Forum Representative.

Volunteers
Jordan Robinson: Volunteer, Learn & Have Fun!

Do you want to improve your writing and communications skills? Do you want to meet other SFU students? If you answered “yes” to any of the two questions, becoming a peer educator may just be right for you! Let Jordan Robinson, a 4th-year Sociology student, tell you what valuable skills and experiences.

You Might Like These... Co-op Reflections

a woman is presenting in front of a group of people
Lessons from the First Interview

So you went through the workshops, you took BOL I, and you’ve had your one-on-one with your advisor. Now what? Natalie asked herself the same question when she completed all the initial steps of Co-op. Read on to find out more about Natalie's job search and the lessons she took away from her first job interview.

A crowd of people walking on a crosswalk
Why You Should Consider Submitting an SFU Story to the OLC

SFU Stories on the OLC are short-form, Instagram-style, narrative stories that help to build a welcoming SFU community. No matter how big or small, every story has something to offer. Share your story today!

David and his dad on the beach
Advice From My Dad - Make Yourself Irreplaceable | Part Two

"Make yourself irreplaceable," he would say, regaling stories of his own young employment at a car dealership. "Take the shifts that nobody else wants, work extra hours whenever possible, be the guy that your boss knows they can always count on." Was this really what my dad wanted me to do with my life?