Organizations using SAP often note difficulties in finding talent with practical experience in SAP technology. As internal SAP stakeholders retire or move to other companies, with them departs institutional knowledge. 

Awareness of this growing skills gap is apparent in the ASUG member community. 2026 ASUG Pulse of the SAP Customer Research found that 36% of member organizations indicated that maintaining the internal skills needed to manage new technology is a significant challenge. Another 22% said they’re struggling to maintain knowledgeable staff amid turnover. Even so, as more companies move their legacy software landscapes to SAP S/4HANA, 59% indicate that S/4 expertise is the most important skill for their organization’s success. 

“SAP has a retirement cliff,” said Vishal Shah, Associate Professor of Information Systems and Director of SAP University Alliance Program at Central Michigan University, who teaches SAP courses at the school. But creating a strong pipeline of talent coming out of college—who are knowledgeable about SAP before they even start job hunting—cuts down on the training needed to bring new hires up to speed. 

ASUG and its Campus Connect program can serve as one vehicle for establishing this pipeline and finding qualified talent for your organization, Shah said. In fact, Shah has seen 24 former Central Michigan University SAP students land the start of their career at Eli Lilly.

At ASUG Tech Connect in October 2025, Shah—along with one of his former students, Sonali Sinha of Eli Lilly, and fellow professor Murat Adivar, Associate Professor at Fayetteville State University—participated in a panel discussion about ASUG Campus Connect, during which they discussed how ASUG Campus Connect can act as a bridge between companies in need of SAP next-gen talent, universities teaching the skills those companies seek, and students ready to start their SAP careers. 

Connecting Talent, Schools, and SAP

Since 1997, Shah has also been on the SAP academic board for SAP University Alliances, a program that offers education resources to students preparing for careers in SAP. Examining the increasing shortage of SAP talent, Shah has been focused on solutions for improving the talent pipeline, while also delivering SAP education alongside fellow professors across U.S. schools. 

After attending ASUG chapter meetings in Michigan over the past few years, Shah committed to working with ASUG on its Campus Connect program in Michigan. ASUG Campus Connect has also extended its presence to ASUG Carolinas and Wisconsin chapters.

At ASUG chapter meetings, members frequently discuss BTP development, cloud computing, and how SAP approaches changing dynamics in the workplace, all topics which Shah then brings back to his classroom. He teaches fundamental skills such as business process configuration, along with the latest BTP or RISE frameworks. Students learn SAP technology and terminology, so they’re better prepared for real-world application of SAP skills in the workplace.  

“The things we teach them are very relevant to their jobs, and—more importantly—give them the skills critical to navigating the changing dynamics you might find in an organization every day,” Shah said. “They have the meta-cognitive skills and the practical skills.” 

Students in Action 

Sonali Sinha, Manager of Tech@Lilly at Eli Lilly and Company, worked with SAP in India for about five years before joining CMU in a master’s program specializing in SAP. She took Shah’s course on SAP foundations before being offered a graduate assistant role, helping a finance professor to field research and teach undergraduates SAP basics. 

While studying at CMU, Sinha was part of an SAP student user group that organized weekly events for companies to share their projects and highlight their open roles or internships. Eli Lilly representatives came to one of these events, where Sinha made connections that landed her the role she’s in today. 

Sinha noted also that universities and ASUG Campus Connect often organize SAP-related events, including ERP simulation competitions. These competitions demonstrate how enterprise solutions enable business strategy via hands-on, immersive simulations that allow both undergrad and graduate students to make strategic decisions around procurement, manufacturing, financial management, and more. Whichever team ends the competition with the highest corporate valuation wins scholarships.

Eli Lilly sponsors some ERPsim events at CMU and observes students’ SAP acumen, their ability to work as a team, and problem-solving skills in practical application. Students attending these competitions, ASUG events, and SAP conferences are more likely to get noticed—and hired—due to their interest in SAP technology. “Everything is like a brownie point for us,” Sinha said. 

During the ASUG Tech Connect conference, Campus Connect also had an event where Sinha interacted with students and shared insights on how to get into roles related to SAP, including how to apply for roles with Eli Lilly. 

“Getting an SAP professional [hired] is a big deal for any company because it’s such a niche field,” Sinha said. ASUG Campus Connect is a vehicle to help students make connections with organizations seeking SAP talent, and help the companies find top-tier incoming talent.

CMU’s Shah added that ASUG Campus Connect provides a community for students to reach out to for career questions and advice, and that he often brings students to ASUG chapter meetings for education and networking opportunities. “It’s a great place to meet other people who are interested in building a long career and not just selling software,” he said.  

While students often say they want a job, the professionals at these events make it clear that SAP skills-building can open up new career possibilities, Shah said: “When students see people doing this for 10 years or 20 years, they are impressed by the longevity of this space.” 

Join us for the first virtual ASUG Campus Connect Community Conversation: Building the Future SAP Talent Pipeline Together, from 12–1 p.m. CT on April 8. Register here.