BlueBridge One’s 2023 Graduate Programme: The Journey of the Next Generation of NetSuite Consultants
Following the successful launch of our inaugural Graduate Programme, we decided to launch the second phase of our initiative in 2023, continuing the focus on developing homegrown talent, this time exclusively from South Africa. This year’s cohort, consisting of three brilliant graduates from different universities across South Africa, has just completed the first phase of their journey—Level 1 of their training—and is now progressing to Level 2 of the programme.
The refined 24-month learning program has afforded us an opportunity to groom future NetSuite Consultants in key areas with skills that will make them formidable consultants in the ERP space. Although intense, the rewards of this programme have proved to be substantial.
Not only do our candidates receive fully funded training but they are also remunerated throughout the training programme and rewarded accordingly in respect of their achievements. In this article, we will focus on the current cohort’s first-year experience and their journey ahead to their qualification as certified Associate ERP Consultants.
Evolving Perspectives: How the Programme is Shaping the Next Generation
How has your perspective on the consulting field or your career path evolved now that you’ve completed Level 1 of the programme?
“In the past year, I have gained invaluable skills through the graduate program, which has deepened my understanding of the consulting world. The graduate program has been instrumental in exposing me to various areas of the business and allowing me to interact with diverse professionals. As a result, I now feel confident in the career path I’ve chosen, having enhanced my skills and developed a growth mindset.
The industry is constantly evolving, particularly with the product we use. It’s essential to continually improve ourselves, whether by adapting to industry changes or by pursuing relevant qualifications and ongoing learning.” — Naasikah Darries, SA Intern.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of Level 1 training for you, and how are you applying those learnings in Level 2?
“Obtaining the SuiteFoundation certificate has helped boost my confidence, I feel less intimidated to tackle complex challenges.” — Chulumanco Sishuba, SA.
How has your experience so far shaped your confidence in taking on client-facing or real-world challenges in your career?
“I have a lot of confidence in dealing with customers when speaking on a section that I do know in NetSuite, unknown sections would still have me very nervous to speak to clients. I was put into situations to present in front of customers, small or big by my mentor and we would both ensure that I was properly prepared to present as well as my mentor would be present in those meetings to assist if help was needed.” — Kean Arendse, SA
Advice for Future Interns: Insights from the Second Cohort
As we prepare for our next intake, we asked the current interns to offer advice to those considering applying to BlueBridge One’s Graduate Programme.
What advice would you give to someone entering the first year of this programme, now that you’re in the second leg?
“The most important piece of advice I would give to someone entering their first year is to stay open-minded and keep learning. You’ll never know everything; the industry is constantly evolving and changing. Cultivating natural curiosity is essential for your personal and professional development.
Always ask questions if you’re unsure; you can learn a lot from like-minded individuals. In your first year, it’s all about getting accustomed to the industry and the product while slowly being introduced to projects. It can feel overwhelming, so it’s crucial to set goals and prioritise them. Stay organised, adapt to new challenges and information, and prepare yourself mentally. Embrace challenges and immerse yourself in the learning process.” — Naasikah Darries, SA
What unique opportunities or experiences have you had during the training that you believe will help you in your future role as an Associate Consultant?
“There have been multiple opportunities and experiences that have allowed me the ability to help me in my future role such as different workshops and exposure to different projects.
I would like to highlight the workshops we’ve had that were focused on Excel, data migration, building presentations and introduction to project management are all incredibly beneficial as they provided me with an opportunity to learn about things that I haven’t been exposed to before. I believe workshops like these are essential, as they cover skills that consultants use daily. It helped me gain an interest in acquiring new skills and even brushing up on skills that I’ve already had before.
I’ve also been exposed to sessions focused around “how to lead a conversation”, and “dealing with different types of customers” and gained exposure to implementing a mock project and everything I’ve learnt I was able to implement into actual projects where I’ve had to interact with real-life clients.
Having these workshops and experiences definitely helped with boosting my confidence in building that relationship with the client, allowing for effective communication and collaboration amongst all stakeholders.” — Naasikah Darries, SA
How do you feel BlueBridge One’s programme and its mentorship approach are preparing you for a long-term career in the field?
“It is a well-structured programme and was one that can teach new interns how to become consultants with time. It was very structured around learning and understanding and took it in stages. It would seem overwhelming but with practical learning and digital learning, the programme can work and give successful consultants. I feel that my experience has granted me the opportunity to become a consultant and stay in the field.” — Kean Arendse, SA Intern
Looking Ahead: The Path to Level 2 and Beyond
With one more year left in their training, the second cohort of interns is excited to dive deeper into their development within the NetSuite ecosystem and the business environment in general. In Level 2, their focus will be shifting towards more advanced consulting challenges, both technically and strategically.
With one more year left in the programme, how do you plan to leverage this time to build your skills or expand your knowledge?
“I am eager to broaden my Netsuite knowledge by being involved in diverse projects to explore the various functionalities of Netsuite. As well as participating in courses, such as Business Analysis.” — Chulumanco Sishuba, SA
Looking ahead, how do you envision your role in the consulting world once you complete the programme?
“I aspire to become an experienced professional specialising in areas where I excel, while also allowing myself the flexibility to continue learning and developing new skills. My goal is to gain the knowledge necessary to lead key areas within business processes and other areas. Additionally, I want to develop my skills both professionally and personally to achieve these objectives.” — Naasikah Darries, SA
Why Join the BlueBridge One Graduate Programme?
The success of our second cohort speaks to the effectiveness of the improved structure and the mentorship-driven approach we’ve cultivated at BlueBridge One. For aspiring recent graduates, this is more than just an internship—it’s a career-defining opportunity that offers real-world experience, invaluable mentorship, and a pathway to becoming a fully-fledged NetSuite consultant.
If you’re looking to join a company that invests in your growth, challenges you with real-world projects, and supports your development every step of the way, BlueBridge One is the place to be. As our interns prepare for the next stage of their journey, we invite you to apply for our upcoming Graduate Programme and begin your own.