As I reflect on my co-op experience as a Business Analyst with the Global Licensing & Royalty Management team at SAP, I can confidently say that it has been a defining and transformative experience for me. In this post, I will share my experiences, reflections, and accomplishments during my work term.
Experiences that made my work term stand out
Working with the GL&RM team has been a fantastic opportunity to learn about the world of licensing and intellectual property in the software industry. It was fascinating to see how the team works across different departments within SAP to ensure that all third-party intellectual property used in SAP products is licensed appropriately. What made my work term stand out was the opportunity to work with stakeholders from all over the world and to learn about different licensing requirements and regulations in different regions.
Reflections on my overall learning & skill development during my work term
During my work term, I have had the chance to develop several critical skills, such as stakeholder management, project management, and process improvement. I also had the opportunity to work with various software tools and gain hands-on knowledge of SAP's software development processes. One of the key accomplishments during my work term was following a project plan to streamline the process of collecting and managing licensing data, which resulted in significant time and cost savings for the team.
Reflections on the connections made between my work and studies
As a student of International Economics, I did not have much prior knowledge about licensing and intellectual property in the software industry. However, my work term with SAP has given me a broader perspective on how licensing works in the software industry and how it is essential to ensure compliance with regulations and protect intellectual property rights. I can now see how my studies in economics (and business) can be applied in a practical setting, especially when it comes to understanding the regulatory environment and its impact on businesses.
My previous courses in Data Science and Computer Science allowed me to have a broader context and background to understand internal communications and the rationale behind why the team existed and the importance of my tasks.
Reflections about the effect the work and/or environment have had on my longer-term career plans
Working with the GL&RM team has opened my eyes to the world of licensing and intellectual property in the software industry. It has been an eye-opening experience, and I can see myself pursuing a career in this field in the future. I have developed a deeper understanding of the industry, and I believe that my experience with SAP will be valuable in any future role that I pursue.
Accomplishment statements associated with my co-op experience
- Streamlined the process of collecting and managing licensing data by following a rigorous project plan, resulting in significant time and cost savings for the GL&RM team.
- Successfully supported the licensing of various forms of third-party intellectual property, including free and open-source software, web APIs/services, and commercial software, by effectively collaborating with stakeholders from around the world.
- Navigated ambiguity, lack of information, and rapidly changing business conditions with skill and professionalism, while effectively completing assigned tasks.
- Delivered high-quality work under pressure by quickly comprehending new topics and utilizing existing frameworks to produce impactful results.
- Managed tasks with exceptional self-sufficiency and efficiency, meeting deadlines and exceeding expectations with minimal supervision.
Looking Ahead
In terms of my longer-term career plans, my work term has opened up new possibilities for me. While I still plan to pursue a career in International Economics, I am now considering opportunities in the field of the software industry, especially project management. I am excited about the prospects of combining my knowledge of economics with my newfound interest in licensing, and I believe that the skills and experiences I gained during my work term will serve me well in whatever career path I choose to pursue.
In conclusion, my work term with the GL&RM team at SAP has been a valuable learning experience. I have developed several critical skills, gained hands-on knowledge of SAP's software development processes, and developed a deeper understanding of licensing and intellectual property in the software industry. I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to applying what I have learned in my future career.
One accomplishment statement associated with my co-op experience is my ability to adapt to a new area of work and quickly learn about licensing, which required a technical understanding of software systems, database concepts, and copyright and contract law. I was able to work with stakeholders to gather requirements and support the licensing of various forms of third-party intellectual property and materials, including Free and Open Source Software (FOSS), TP web APIs/services, TP commercial (proprietary) software, and TP contents (e.g. data sets).
Another accomplishment statement is my ability to work independently and as part of a team to manage and execute data quality, knowledge management, and process improvement projects. Through these projects, I gained hands-on knowledge of SAP's software development and approval processes, and I was able to develop project plans and manage projects autonomously.