Humans of Salesforce – Sara Hernandez

Hey Salesforce mates, I’m Sara Hernandez, and my journey into the Salesforce ecosystem was an unexpected yet transformative adventure. As a systems engineer with 15 years of experience, I’ve worn many hats—developer, project manager, product owner, architect, and more. But it wasn’t until I became an “Accidental Admin” that I truly found my passion.

One day, I was offered the opportunity to lead a Salesforce project. That’s when I asked myself, “What is Salesforce?“. I started researching and was immediately captivated by the energy and movement within the ecosystem. Although I wasn’t awarded the project at that time—they needed my skills elsewhere—I didn’t let that deter me. I dove headfirst into learning everything I could about Salesforce.

Discovering Trailhead was a game-changer. I spent countless nights completing trails and modules, becoming obsessed with accumulating points and reaching Ranger status. It became a personal challenge that I was determined to conquer.

Seizing the Opportunity to Implement Salesforce

I kept pushing for an opportunity to work on a Salesforce project. In every meeting with my boss, I made it clear that this was my top priority, and he knew I was preparing diligently. Finally, the day I’d been waiting for arrived. Our Salesforce administrator encountered a problem and we needed to urgently deploy something to production. 

My boss turned to me and said, “I need you to review what’s needed and move it to production.” I froze for a moment—I’d only worked in a developer org and wasn’t familiar with the business processes. But he reassured me, saying, “I know you can do it.” And so I did. From that point on, I began implementing Salesforce solutions within the company.

A Trailblazing Career: Proud Moments in Salesforce

When Salesforce community groups were first introduced, I applied to lead the Administrators Community in Santiago, Chile, and was thrilled when my application was approved. Organizing events was magical—the networking, the willingness to teach, and the collective desire to make an impact were inspiring. In just two years, we organized over 70 events. We didn’t stop.

I didn’t reinvent my career upon entering the Salesforce ecosystem; instead, I discovered what I truly wanted to do. I refined my values and, most importantly, found my passion for helping, teaching, and making a lasting impact. I realized how many ideas I had and how the ecosystem provided a platform to bring them to life.

This passion led me to create a non-profit organization called WomenForceIT. We help Spanish-speaking women learn about managerial roles within the Salesforce ecosystem. So far, we’ve trained over 300 women worldwide and have a dedicated team of more than 15 people. Why focus on women? When I studied systems engineering, there were very few women in my classes, and in my first job, I was the only woman. While the gender gap has improved, there’s still a long way to go—that’s why WomenForceIT was born.

I also recognized the importance of creating content in Spanish. When I started, about 90% of Trailhead was only in English, as were most of the resources I found. One day, I thought, why not create a friendly, accessible podcast in Spanish where I could interview ecosystem specialists and let them share their experiences? That’s how Crónicas de Salesforce was born. Today, the podcast has over 80 episodes.

Now, I’m involved in several initiatives. I lead the Architect Community in Madrid, support various projects, and give talks. With Salesforce, I found my place, my passion, amazing friends, and so much more. Thanks to my persistence, proactivity, and the incredible people I’ve met along the way, I’ve reached where I am today.

Also Read: Salesforce Career Success Stories

Why a Career in Salesforce is So Rewarding

I believe that a career in Salesforce is incredibly rewarding for many reasons. Salesforce offers opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background—you don’t need a technology degree to be part of it. The company thinks about the ecosystem as a whole, focusing not just on its customers but also on the people who learn and specialize in its platform.

Thanks to Trailhead, we can learn independently, and through the communities, we can learn together. This combination is rare and presents a fantastic opportunity that we should all take advantage of. I’ve heard stories of families who faced significant challenges, and by joining the Salesforce ecosystem, their lives changed dramatically. When a person advances in their career, it positively impacts their entire family, and these are the kinds of transformations that can happen with Salesforce.

What truly sets Salesforce apart is its community-driven culture. The global community is highly active and supportive. The mentorship, learning experiences, and collaborative efforts within this community have been instrumental in my personal and professional development. I attribute much of my success to the connections and relationships I’ve nurtured in this environment.

My Top 3 Tips for Aspiring Salesforce Professionals

If you’re contemplating a career in Salesforce, here are my top 3 tips:

1. Take Advantage of Trailhead and Certifications

Salesforce’s Trailhead is a free, user-friendly learning platform that covers topics from the basics to advanced concepts. It’s the ideal starting point for your journey. As you progress, aim to earn certifications. These credentials not only validate your expertise but are also highly regarded in the job market. Start with the Administrator certification and then expand into areas that interest you, such as Sales Cloud or Service Cloud.

2. Get Involved in the Salesforce Community

The Salesforce ecosystem boasts a highly active and supportive global community. Join local or virtual User Groups, participate in Trailblazer Community Groups, and attend events like Dreamforce or Salesforce Saturdays. These platforms enable you to learn from others and offer excellent networking opportunities. Connecting with professionals who can assist you in advancing your career is incredibly valuable.

3. Stay True to Yourself

Understanding your own values and what you hope to achieve within the ecosystem is crucial. Create a plan by defining your goals and outlining how you intend to reach them. The journey may present challenges, but it’s certainly achievable. Focus on your plan and pursue your objectives with perseverance, discipline, and proactivity. Being authentic will help you connect more deeply with others and find your unique place in the community.

Preparing for the Future of Salesforce

It’s no surprise that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here to stay, and in my opinion, it’s time for us to reinvent ourselves once again. Many of us are delving into AI for the first time, and it’s changing the way we work and manage projects. We need to embrace this new technology and learn how to leverage it effectively.

I once heard Carlos Lozano say, “The most important thing will be to know how to write,” and I completely agree. In the context of AI, the ability to articulate ideas clearly and provide precise instructions is crucial. As AI becomes more integrated into our workflows, effective communication becomes increasingly important.

To gear up for these changes, I’m dedicating time to expand my knowledge of AI and its intersection with Salesforce. I’m committed to continuous learning and remain actively involved in the community through speaking engagements, writing, and collaboration. This involvement keeps me abreast of the latest trends and helps me adapt to the evolving landscape.

End Note

Salesforce has been an incredible journey filled with growth, learning, and the joy of giving back to the community. I’ve discovered my passion, met amazing people, and had the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

I’m excited about what the future holds for Salesforce and look forward to continuing my evolution with this powerful platform.