Summer in Laie usually means time in the sun and a break from the rigors of school, but for 57 students, two weeks out of the summer break were spent in the classroom. In June and July, Accounting, Business, and Computer & Information Systems students participated in a SAP TERP10 course.
SAP is a software company that helps manage business operations and customer relations. Their software is broken down into modules that correspond to different departments within a company, such as sales, accounting, or human resources. By connecting to the same system, information is shared between departments, improving efficiency in the workplace. SAP software is used by some of the world’s largest companies, such as Apple, Costco, and Walmart.
The TERP10 class is managed by SAP and offered only in select college campuses. The course covers 14 of the most common modules and includes a professional certification exam, making it an important part of a business management or accounting education. On an average day during the course, students study the workings of the SAP modules from 8 AM-6 PM, reading new material from the textbook and practicing using the software on the computers.
Although it sounds overwhelming, BYU–Hawaii has one of the best passing rates for the exam. 65% of students pass the TERP10 exam globally, while more than 75% of BYU–Hawaii students pass on their first try. Alex Chowen, a senior majoring in Accounting who took the course in June, said, "I think a big reason for that is the teamwork we have in the classroom. We work hard individually, but we also study a lot in groups and help each other out."
Knowledge of these modules prepares students to seek employment across many fields and sectors of the economy. “If a student can come out of here not only knowing about enterprise resource systems, but has knowledge of the largest system, it will help them get noticed,” says Dr. Jim Lee, dean of the College of Business, Computing, & Government and the director of the SAP Academic Program. “We have placed students in each of the Big 4 accounting firms as well as some of the largest companies worldwide.”
Prior to the TERP10 course, students were required to take three campus courses which introduce the basic workings of SAP systems. These three classes cover the basic terminology and structure of enterprise software, preparing students for the rigors of the summer workshop. “The more you understand during the semester, the easier it will be during the two weeks of the TERP10 course,” says Aleksey Volegov, a senior in business management from Latvia and one of 48 international students who took the exam this year. He plans on using his certification to get a job in supply chain in the food industry.
