FAQ - Summer of sas.
The criteria can vary year to year, depending on the requests of the sponsors, but in general these rules apply.
TOPICS:
Timing of graduation
Why is it important that I graduate this year, or even before September this year? Why can I not apply when I graduate next year?
One of the purposes of the training is to prepare you for your first job. This first job will normally start in September;
therefore it is best that you have finished your thesis and your exams and have your diploma in hand.
Why can I not apply when I graduated last year?
During the training SAS offers you a student contract for that 1 month. When you graduated last year, you are no longer entitled to work as “a student”.
Why can I not follow the training this year, and start the job next year?
During the training you will acquire theoretical and practical knowledge.
In case you wait 1 year before you apply it, a lot of information/expertise will be lost. In such a case please enroll next year.
Prerequisites
Why is a driver’s license important?
The work of a consultant often implies that you work at customer site, for longer or for shorter periods.
The customer can be located in the whole of Belgium. So you are more flexible if you have a driver’s license.
And in most companies a consultant is offered a company car, as part of his/her salary package.
In case you have no driver’s license, it is not common to get reimbursed for not being able to take the company car.
Are all studies valued equally?
Yes. Informatics, statistics, mathematics, and some other studies have some advantages towards others, but it is not a stand alone selection criterion.
These people might succeed more easily in the training, but willingness to work as a software consultant as even more important.
Other criteria important for the job are: social capabilities, communications kills, languages, motivation and interest in technology and cultural fit.
Why do I need a work permit?
It is not a sole criterion, but it is preferable that you are allowed working in Belgium.
When you are a foreign student, you have a residence permit to stay in Belgium.
This is not the same as a work permit. Sometimes requesting a work permit can take up to several weeks.
For some jobs, projects that already started, you have to start working asap in September.
So it might influence the decision in case of choice.
Why is English so important next to another Belgian language?
The training is given in English, as well as the training material,
therefore it is important to have a good understanding of the English language.
Often working with/at customers also implies having enough English knowledge besides another Belgian language.
Selection
When will I know whether I am selected for the training?
The selection process consists out of different parts:
Training
I need to take a few days off during the training, is that possible?
No, we only select people who can follow the whole track. The material is built up in such a way, that when you miss out on parts,
it is very difficult to get back on track, and it is not fair towards your fellow students.
Can I do another summer job, for which I get paid in July, September or a couple of days in the weekend?
Since your are offered a “student contract”, the amount of days working as a student is limited by law to 23 days,
these days are completely taken with the training. So no it is not possible to accept other work during the summer period,
and you need to be an “official student”.
Transport
During the 1 month training I will use public transport, is SAS easy to reach?
Yes there is a bus stop just in front of our offices, and tram on 15 minutes walking distance.
You can find a road description here: http://www.sas.com/offices/europe/belux/belux/roadmap.html
Some students, who live further away, rent a room in Leuven for that 1 month.
Results
What were the percentages of students who passed the certification exam?
93% passed the certification exam. The average score was 85%
What was the percentage of students that passed the case study exam?
81% passed the case study exam.
Does this training really increase my chances of finding a job?
It certainly gives you a head start compared to other people who have not followed the training.
The past years 80-88% of the students could sign a contract within 3 weeks after the training.