People Behind the Certs – Nathan Pepper – saasguru

Embark on a journey with Nathan Pepper, a remarkable Salesforce professional who combines technical brilliance with a genuine passion for problem-solving. With a Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Los Angeles, Nathan’s career took an exciting turn when he discovered his affinity for technology during temp jobs involving Excel. Through self-learning and determination, he mastered VBA and eventually found himself immersed in the world of Salesforce at a company implementing the platform. 

Since then, Nathan has worked with many companies in many roles and has now become a 10x Salesforce certified Senior Salesforce Developer/Architect based in Burbank, California, and his expertise has opened up endless possibilities within the Salesforce ecosystem.

What sets Nathan apart is not just his extensive certification portfolio but also his unique approach to challenges. His love for technology extends beyond the workplace, evident from his dedication to learning during vacation time. From venturing into game development with Pygame to building data migration frameworks using Python and command-line automation, Nathan’s drive to explore and innovate knows no bounds. 

Join us as we delve into his inspiring journey, filled with determination, problem-solving prowess, and an unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth within the Salesforce realm.

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.

Nathan Pepper: I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Los Angeles. During my journey, I took on temporary jobs that involved working with Excel, where I taught myself VBA to enhance my skills. Through my experiences, I ended up joining a company that implemented Salesforce. This opportunity has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me within the Salesforce ecosystem.

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?

Nathan Pepper: As soon as I discovered the ability to construct a URL with “salesforce.com/[ID]” that directly linked to specific records, I was immediately captivated. The seamless experience of navigating to relevant information without the need to instruct others to enable macros was truly impressive. It only solidified my fascination and enthusiasm for Salesforce’s user-friendly and efficient platform.

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?

Nathan Pepper: Ya

1. I highly value certifications because they provide a standardized measure of expertise, which can be more reliable than relying solely on job experience. Additionally, I have a knack for test-taking, which allows me to excel in certification exams.
2. The Service Cloud exam posed a challenge for me due to the disparity between the features I used in my job and the exam content. The extensive time gap between my intensive work with Service Cloud and taking the test also contributed to the difficulty, as many updates and additions had occurred. Similarly, Identity and Access Management has been a tough area for me since I haven’t had practical on-the-job experience, so I’ve had to rely heavily on Trailhead and textbook preparation.
3. To truly grasp Salesforce concepts, I believe in getting hands-on experience by experimenting in a sandbox, playground, or developer org. There’s nothing quite like having an idea and then figuring out how to implement it yourself. Additionally, I recommend seeking out a community, study group, or forum to collaborate with while studying. Having a support network can enhance learning and provide valuable insights and perspectives.

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

Nathan Pepper: I have a strong passion for using technology to solve problems. Even during my vacation time, I find myself immersing in technological pursuits just for the fun of it! During my birthday week in 2021, I initially planned to learn how to create games with Pygame. However, I encountered challenges along the way. 

Undeterred, I shifted my focus and took the opportunity to build a robust data migration framework for my work instead. Leveraging my skills in Python, sqlite3, and Data Loader command-line automation, I successfully created a solution that streamlined the migration process. This experience highlighted my adaptability and determination to find innovative solutions, even in the face of obstacles.🤓

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?

Nathan Pepper: I attribute the amazing experience of being a Salesforce professional to the incredible support and camaraderie I’ve received from my co-workers and the Salesforce Ohana. I am deeply grateful for the mentors who played a significant role, particularly during my early days. 

At my initial Salesforce job, there were developers from the consulting companies we collaborated with who generously took me under their wing. One person, in particular, Eric Talley, stands out as he provided me with opportunities to dive into Apex and VF code and even allowed me to submit patch files, which became some of my very first hands-on development experiences. Their guidance and encouragement have been invaluable, and I am truly appreciative of the positive impact they’ve had on my journey.