People Behind the Certs – Owen Rees – saasguru

SG: Let’s get started. Why don’t we start from the beginning? Please tell us about your education/ career before entering the Salesforce ecosystem.

OR: Before I started my career in Salesforce, I was a woodworker producing commercial-grade Pilates equipment. Essentially high-end, large hardwood products. 

While in this role, I learned coding and did small projects recreationally. I knew I wanted to move toward a career that involved programming. And I started learning Java along with HTML, CSS, JavaScript for frontend as a first step. At this point, I had zero office experience.

SG: That’s awesome. Now we would love to know what was the tipping point when you said, “I want to make this change,” and what was the trigger for that?

OR: I have my close friend Michael Thackray to thank for this. In early 2019, Michael was working as a solo in-house Salesforce Admin. When discussing my aspirations to be a developer, he told me of the great opportunities and demands associated with the Salesforce Developer role. I didn’t even know what Salesforce or CRM was then, but I was quickly convinced and began my pivot toward a career as a Salesforce Developer.

In my initial research and planning, I often came across the advice that the Salesforce Admin role was a good entry point to the ecosystem. Not only that but being a good Admin is a strong foundation for being a Salesforce Developer. As my first step, I prepared for my Salesforce Admin certification, signed up for the July 2019 Goldcoast Trailhead Bootcamp, and passed. Shortly after, I got my first role as a solo Junior Admin with a brand new Salesforce org (thrown in the deep end!). 

Once I had settled into the role, I studied SF Developer content on the side extensively. After two years, I became a Salesforce Developer in the same company.

SG: You achieved many certs along the way. Can you share three things with us?

1. Why do you value certificates?

2. What are the challenges associated with the process?

3. What are your top tips for being successful in cert exams?

OR: Ya, sure.

1. When initially getting into the Salesforce ecosystem, having a cert or multiple certs can assist with obtaining the first role. Achieving Salesforce certifications is difficult and time-consuming. Thus they are a good indicator of individual commitment and a proactive drive to learn. This remains relevant after your first role and as your career progresses.

The content of each certification is broad and will expose you to features, skills, and knowledge that may not be encountered when working on projects. Certificates complement the on-the-job experience and can be used in preparation for future projects.

2. I found my first certification (Salesforce Certified Administrator) particularly difficult and daunting, as I had no real hands-on experience with the platform outside Trailhead exercises. 

Preparing for certifications is a skill. It is something that you will become better at over time. My later certifications had more “difficult” content, but I found it easier to prepare for and pass each subsequent credential. If you are just starting and finding the process difficult, please stick it out. It gets easier! The resources available are getting better every year.

3. Work on building a study plan for your credential. This can be refined and adapted as you make progress. Do online research on how others prepare and reach out to peers who have completed the same certification. While considering all the gathered information, recognize variations in individual learning styles. Make adjustments and cater to what works for you.

I’ve found it helpful to ingrain study time in your weekly schedule. This makes it a habit and ensures progress on your goal is constantly advancing.

My current process is as follows: 

1. Work through the official credential preparation Trailmix. The Trailmix will also have a link to the exam overview and Exam Guide, periodically reviewing and returning to this resource. At this stage, my focus is more on a deeper understanding of concepts rather than memorization (personal preference).
2. Review full cert content via 3rd party course notes, e.g., like those provided by saasguru. Now, I’m solidifying my understanding of the concepts and have begun a shift toward memorization.
3. The final stage is going through mock exams. I use the results of these exams to direct me in what to review from the previous stages. This is a back-and-forth process until I feel ready for the exam.

Through experience and refining my approach, I’ve found that this works best for me.

SG: What do you enjoy most about your work as a certified Salesforce professional?

OR: As a Salesforce professional, there’s a good mix between collaboration and independent work. You work alongside many intelligent and talented individuals solving business needs when working in a team environment on the Salesforce platform. The opportunity to learn from others and share your knowledge is enriching.

The autonomy of independent work allows for creative problem-solving and execution of technical skill sets. These skill sets are something you are always expanding and refining. If you’re a project-oriented perfectionist, you couldn’t find a better job. There’s always more to learn and ways to be challenged in this space.

Finally, the broader Salesforce community is well known for its positive culture. As someone always learning in space, I’ve found seasoned peers consistently generous in their time, advice, and knowledge. I’ve met many great people through Salesforce.

SG: Time for gratitude!! Finally, is there anyone (individual or company) that you would like to take this opportunity to thank for their role in helping you along your journey? If Yes, what was their role in your success?

OR: Firstly I’d like to thank Michael Thackray for getting me into Salesforce and for providing guidance when getting started and seeking my early roles.

Thank you to Naveed and the team at Mint Consulting for their relaxed and welcoming environment, letting me hang around to soak in the Salesforce knowledge. Naveed has always given his experience and expertise, regardless of how busy and stretched he was running the consultancy.

And, of course, thank you to my wife, Tinnie Chiem, for supporting my career endeavors and putting up with my excessive study during my particularly motivated periods. She even sings a song about not studying on public holidays!

Thank you to Dylan Retif and Lisa Cachia for taking me on as a junior at DisplayWise, and trusting me with building their brand-new Salesforce org. The breadth of experience and skills obtained at DisplayWise were invaluable.

Thank you to James Henshaw and Charmaine van der Merwe for giving me the perfect role at Thinktank, fostering a great workplace culture, and putting me on exciting dev projects. 

And finally, thank you to my technology team at Thinktank for being an outstanding, talented group of people with diverse skill sets. The office is so much fun with you guys.