Career Pathways

I want to be a Business Analyst.

Business, data, financial, procurement and HR analysts all work inside SAP.

Start with the career you want. We'll show you the certification that leads there, what it pays nationally, and how to pay for training.

Not sure? Send your resume See all pathways

Your IT journey

From your first certification to the career it leads to

Each pathway stacks: start where your experience puts you, then add the next credential. Pay figures are U.S. medians for everyone in the occupation, not starting pay.1

Enterprise systems

SAP business analyst

Good fitSupply, finance, HR or logistics experience, military or civilian.
Program10–12 weeks, 272–362 contact hours, 12 transferable college credits, your own login to a live SAP system.
FundingWIOA, GI Bill, SkillBridge, Registered Apprenticeship.
  1. Explore
    Free Intro to SAP
    A no-cost test drive through our nonprofit, Career Skills to Work.
  2. Certify
    SAP Certified Associate, S/4HANA
    Covers ECC and S/4HANA; about 80% functional business process.
  3. Specialize
    Extended Warehouse or Transportation Management
    Both are DOL Registered Apprenticeships.
Careers this leads toU.S. median
Computer systems analystERP and business systems analysts · SOC 15-1211$105,850
Financial analystSOC 13-2051$103,570
LogisticianSOC 13-1081$82,320
Buyer or purchasing agentProcurement analyst roles · SOC 13-1020$77,710
HR specialistSOC 13-1071$75,940

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2025 medians

Project & operations management

Project manager

Good fitYou've planned missions, events, budgets or rollouts and want it recognized.
ProgramTwo weekends, 40 contact hours, live instructor.
FundingWIOA, Army and Air Force COOL, Credentialing Assistance, MyCAA.
  1. Start
    CAPM
    No project experience required.
  2. Certify
    PMP
    36 months of project experience with a degree, 60 without.
  3. Specialize
    PMI-CP or Lean Six Sigma
    Construction projects, or process improvement.
Careers this leads toU.S. median
Project management specialistSOC 13-1082$102,320
Management analystBusiness and process improvement roles · SOC 13-1111$101,860
Operations research analystData and operations analysis · SOC 15-2031$88,940

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2025 medians

IT & cybersecurity

IT support to security analyst

Good fitHands-on troubleshooters, or business staff who need to speak IT.
ProgramAbout three months per CompTIA certification, self-paced with a live instructor. ServiceNow: one quarter, 9 college credits.
FundingWIOA, COOL, Credentialing Assistance, MyCAA.
  1. Start
    CompTIA A+
    Hardware, software and help-desk basics. Includes a free AI badge credential.
  2. Build
    CompTIA Network+, ServiceNow CSA
    Networks, or IT service management.
  3. Specialize
    CompTIA Security+
    Most security roles also ask for experience. We'll tell you where you stand.
Careers this leads toU.S. median
Computer user support specialistSOC 15-1232$61,860
Network support specialistSOC 15-1231$76,220
Network and systems administratorSOC 15-1244$99,130
Information security analystSOC 15-1212$129,180

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2025 medians

Logistics & supply chain

Warehouse to logistician

Good fit88- and 92-series MOS, and anyone in warehouse or distribution work.
ProgramSelf-paced MSSC certification prep built around duty schedules.
FundingArmy COOL and Credentialing Assistance.
  1. Start
    MSSC Certified Logistics Associate (CLA)
    Safety, quality and the supply chain.
  2. Build
    MSSC Certified Logistics Technician (CLT)
    Front-line material handling.
  3. Advance
    SAP S/4HANA with EWM or TM
    Moves you from the floor to the systems that run it.
Careers this leads toU.S. median
Stocker or order fillerEntry level · SOC 53-7065$37,330
Hand laborer or material moverSOC 53-7060$38,220
Logistician, after SAPSOC 13-1081$82,320

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2025 medians

Where are you now?

A starting point for everyone

Exploring

Not sure what fits? Take a free test drive of a career path through Career Skills to Work, then talk to us.

Send your resume

Current students

Class dates, recordings and exam application help, all in one place.

See class schedules

Alumni

Sit in on refresher classes when a curriculum updates, and get thanked for every student you refer.

Referral program

Tell us the career. We'll map the path.

Send your resume and the role you want. We'll recommend where to start and how to fund it.

info@mysmla.com · 713-977-0566

Send your resume
Notes
  1. Median annual wage for each occupation in the United States, May 2025, from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Medians include workers at every experience level. They aren't starting salaries or SMLA graduate outcomes. Pay varies by location and experience. Back