From Excel Automation to Salesforce Consultant 📊

“ Once I completed my certification and added that to my LinkedIn, I found I had a lot of people contacting me about roles as it’s an in-demand skill. Summer of Salesforce has given me the valuable knowledge and set of skills that have helped me to get my current job... I recommend taking it if you can. Lots of people try to learn via Trailhead, but it’s really hard without a guide. ”

Irina was working as an Excel Automation and Process specialist before landing a job in Davanti as a Salesforce Consultant. Irina took part in our Summer of Salesforce course; an intensive 3 month bootcamp, run from November to February, and was able to get her first Salesforce job before the course even finished! We caught up to see how her journey has been so far.

🔎 How did you find out about Summer of Salesforce?

I was part of Summer of Tech, and I saw an email from them about the course. I was interested as I heard a lot about it from people who used it. I also didn’t end up getting an internship with Summer of Tech. I’m very grateful for that now! 

🤝 What made you decide to enrol for the course?

I was working in excel automation and process improvement. I knew that Salesforce had been used for that kind of thing. Once I heard about the course, I knew immediately I should be part of it. I realised that I was able to do it part-time with my job.   

💻 What skills and experience have you gained through the course?

It’s really helped me to understand the foundation capabilities of Salesforce. It’s given me the valuable knowledge and set of skills that have helped me to get my current job. The course is a good foundation and helps you to decide if Salesforce is really something you want to work with fulltime and where you can fit in Salesforce environment.  

📚 How have you applied the knowledge that you have gained? 

I’ve only been in this job for less than 1 month, so it’s hard to know just yet. But the project work we did during the course helped me understand concepts. So now, if I don’t know the answer, I know how to find it. In the course, we covered a lot of bases, which allows you to build on that.   

✨ What was the highlight of the course for you?

We processed a lot of information in a short time. The real-life project was great as well as we got to work in a team with a mix of skills. The project also helped you to apply the knowledge you gained. We also covered technical documentation and demo’s.

🧐 What is your tip for anyone else considering enrolling in this course? 

Understand your capacity and your time. You need to really want to learn it as it’s an intense course and lots of work but worth it. Once I completed my certification and added that to my LinkedIn, I found I had a lot of people contacting me about roles as it’s an in-demand skill.

🗺 Where are you now since finishing the Summer of Salesforce programme?

I got a role with Davanti. My role allows me to spend my first year figuring out what area I want to work in and learn the necessary skills to progress. We’re also back in the office now, which is great.

🔮 What’s next for you?

Consultancy is probably the best option for me. I want to grow my knowledge and become an expert. I need to understand more about different industries and different projects to know more about good opportunities here. 

❤️ Do you have any questions or comments about Summer of Salesforce?

It’s a good course, and I recommend taking it if you can. Lots of people try to learn via Trailhead, but it’s really hard without a guide. Amber was wonderful and was always happy to answer any questions we had.