Go Beyond

Finished the labs? Congrats! Consider yourself badged.

You've learned a ton by experience – so it's part of you now!

You know how to find ways to do things better/faster/smarter thru tech–that's Business Systems Innovation!

Now, you really get how tech works and you can make it work for you, on the job–HR, Finance, whatever.

Any employer will be impressed that you have some tech skills now, even if they're not using Salesforce because when you "get" how tech works, that carries over to other technologies, whatever they are

At the core level, data-based technologies are all basically the same so you can learn new ones fast/easy.

And the best thing you learned is not Salesforce itself–it's how tech can help you do your job better & how to make that happen, yourself or through IT support. But knowing a bit about Salesforce is still a great asset to leverage!

Here's a Salesforce blog post about a 2021 study saying the Salesforce economy will create 9.3 million jobs and $1.6 trillion in new business revenues by 2026! so it's a pretty good horse to hitch your wagon to, as they say!

Lots of students say SF exposure has made the difference in getting interviews & even getting hired! So tell them about the specific Salesforce skills you learned, for Pete's sake. There are a ton of them!

I created a database and added data

I added a mobile app for viewing, adding & updating records

I imported data into the ”cloud”

I created views and reports

I visualized data to find best deals

I created a dashboard with a VC funding gauge

I identified and corrected data redundancy in different forms

I implemented data validation rules

I customized and implemented database-integrated email templates

I manipulated a schema visually

I configured CRM tasks for lead development

I automated processes w/business rules for assigning leads

I created a new enterprise user as a sysadmin

I collaborated w/social media in SF

I automated a workflow

I added data to my database by manipulating and issuing an API

I built a database-connected webform that triggered multiple processes

Many of those (above) are not just "user" skills - they're "app builder" (basic developer) skills. Point that out!

Consider getting the Salesforce Associate certification (NEW!). Now that you've completed the labs, you've already learned about 75% of what you need to know. The rest you can get free, online, at Salesforce's fun, interactive training site "Trailhead"in 6-9 more hours. You can take the exam online/proctored. It's just 40 MC questions (70 min) and you only need a 62% or better to pass. (Here's a Tic Tok from a Salesforce influencer who took the exam, giving tips & saying "This is a nice way to get a good, clean tangible win and technically, you can call yourself a Certified Salesforce Professional.") It costs only $75 with free retakes if you don't pass the first time. Once you pass, you never need to renew. It's valid for life!

You might consider working at Salesforce itself! Their HQ is in San Francisco, but they have offices all over the world and they are big recruiters of new college graduates. Check out their "Futureforce" program.

You might consider creating your own apps and selling them thru the Salesforce App Exchange! Salesforce's App Exchange is a marketplace where their customers can purchase extensions that add functions/features that aren't already built-in like an equipment location tracking app or a plug-in to integrate SurveyMonkey. It's like Apple's App Store. The apps are built by independent, mostly small developers who get the income from the sales. To create an app like that would likely take some coding skills but you could learn everything you would need to know from Salesforce's free online training site "Trailhead," mentioned above.