On December 11, participants in the Skills Acceleration Program (SAP) visited the facilities of Strada Global in Granada for a day focused on gaining first-hand insight into the daily work of different departments within the company. Over four engaging hours, there was time for information, inspiration, and direct interaction between participants and professionals responsible for multiple areas of the business.
The core of the activity consisted of a series of presentations delivered by Strada professionals, who explained the roles, projects, and working dynamics of their respective areas. These presentations provided an overview of all the activities involved in the company’s interaction process with its clients. Pilar Guillén (SAP PS CoE Leader and Strada Coordinator for relations with the University of Granada’s Talent Incubator) and Francisco Quesada (SAP PS Global Business Leader) acted as hosts, with Pilar also introducing her colleagues. The speakers included: José Carlos Díaz (Application Services Director), Noelia Manchón (SAP PS ITCSO Manager), Akash Mirpuri (Global Service Transition Lead), Miguel Vílchez (Operations SAP Payroll Specialist), Irene Aladueña (SAP FR Payroll Lead), Maricruz Yáñez (SAP SF TalentHR & XtendHR Senior Manager), Miguel López (XtendHR Senior Specialist & Cluster Lead), Diego Muelas (Pre-Sales Consultant), Margarita San Juan Clements (Talent Acquisition Recruiter), Aida Martínez (Talent Acquisition Recruiter), Maitena Lois (SAP PS ITCSO), and Pia Ellimäki (Business Development Director).
Following the presentations, students and professionals shared an informal networking session accompanied by refreshments, allowing participants to discuss the areas presented in greater detail and to gain a deeper understanding of the work experience at Strada.
The event was further enriched by the participation, during the informal session, of a distinguished team of Strada mentors, including Julio del Río Ferriz, Practice Lead Professional Services for Spain and Portugal; Sascha F. Schneider, Senior Director Legal and Chief Privacy Officer; Manuel Vargas, Advisory Services Director; José Carlos Díaz, Application Services Director; Eva Martín, Finance Order to Cash Director; and Pascal Jéhanno, Strategic Account Client Executive. Each of them shared insights from their professional experience and answered the wide range of questions posed individually by the participants, offering young attendees a comprehensive view of the company’s operations and the challenges faced by each area.
Representing the Incubator, Alejandro Ortiz, SAP Program Coordinator, Alberto Aragón and Lola Vidal, Co-Directors of the Chair, and Juan Valbuena, Professor of Business Organization, also attended and accompanied the group throughout the visit, enjoying the experience alongside the students. Alejandro highlighted the personal and professional growth benefits that such activities provide for participants.
The day offered students a direct perspective on different professional fields and enabled them to deepen their understanding of the internal workings of an internationally operating technology company.
Before concluding the visit, the group took a short tour of some of the company’s facilities, which were decorated with Christmas motifs at this time of year. One aspect that particularly caught participants’ attention was discovering that professionals from up to 56 nationalities work in the offices, creating a vibrant and enriching multicultural environment, also marked by a wide variety of academic backgrounds. An excellent afternoon.
The 20 participants in the Skills Acceleration Program are selected based on their academic records and potential from among final-year undergraduate and master’s students from five different faculties. Throughout the academic year, they take part in training activities focused on personal and professional skills, as well as coaching and mentoring with senior executives.