I have been working with Salesforce for four years, and I’d like to share a bit about my journey and how I got to where I am today.
For 20 years, I worked in a completely different field, I owned a dental prosthetics laboratory and managed a small team of five employees. It was a stable and successful career, but deep down, my true dream had always been to work with technology.
When the pandemic hit, all my clients had to suspend their services, and I was forced to close my lab. It was a difficult time, but also a turning point. I decided it was time to pursue what I had always wanted — a career in technology. That’s when a friend introduced me to Salesforce and Trailhead.
Table of Contents
Discovering Salesforce and Starting From Zero
Like many new Trailblazers, I began with zero technical experience. But once I started exploring Trailhead, I was instantly drawn to the way Salesforce blended business, technology, and problem-solving.
For months, I committed almost eight hours a day to learning, building Salesforce objects, designing flows, creating validation rules, exploring approval processes, and understanding every detail of the platform. I wasn’t just studying for a job; I was building a foundation for an entirely new future.
And that dedication opened the first big door.
Landing My First Salesforce Admin Role
After months of intense learning, I received an interview opportunity for a Salesforce Administrator role at a multinational company. I was nervous, but I believed in the work I had put in — and thankfully, I got the job.
That role became the stepping stone for everything that followed.
Initially, I worked in a small team helping users, resolving errors, and providing support for daily operations. But as I gained experience and a deeper understanding of our business processes, my responsibilities evolved.
Today, I manage the Salesforce platform across all our operations in Brazil. My role includes:
- Overseeing business rules and process validations
- Leading platform governance
- Ensuring data security and compliance
- Supporting cross-functional teams like marketing, customer service, and product
- Serving as the bridge between users, stakeholders, and developers
This journey has taught me that Salesforce isn’t just a CRM — it’s an ecosystem that rewards curiosity, consistency, and continuous learning.
My Role in QA and Why It Matters
One of the most important responsibilities I’ve taken on is quality assurance (QA) for new features developed by our Salesforce team.
Here’s how our process works:
- Developers build a new feature or enhancement
- I perform unit tests to confirm that the update works as intended
- I run regression tests to ensure the change doesn’t break anything else
- If an issue appears, it goes back to the developer
- If everything passes, I approve it for deployment
This cycle ensures that every update is stable, secure, and aligned with our business requirements. QA gave me a deeper appreciation for how technical and functional knowledge come together to maintain a healthy Salesforce org.
Skills That Helped Me Succeed as a Salesforce Admin
Working across different business areas helped me understand the power of strong communication, analytical thinking, and collaboration. In the Salesforce ecosystem, these soft skills matter just as much as technical expertise.
Here are a few things that helped accelerate my growth:
- Understanding business processes end-to-end
- Constant learning through Trailhead and hands-on practice
- Clear communication with developers and stakeholders
- A solid grasp of platform fundamentals like flows, validation rules, and security
- Basic knowledge of Apex, LWC, APIs, and integrations
- Most importantly: curiosity and the willingness to learn every day
Salesforce rewards professionals who stay curious, ask questions, and never stop exploring new features.
How Salesforce Changed More Than Just My Career
Salesforce didn’t just help me switch careers; it helped me build the life I always wanted.
I went from running a small lab in Brazil to collaborating with teams and professionals worldwide. LinkedIn allowed me to connect with experts, share knowledge, and become part of a global ecosystem that supports each other.
This platform gave me opportunities I never imagined. It showed me that starting over is possible, no matter your age, background, or industry.
A Message to Anyone Starting Their Salesforce Journey
If you’re starting your Salesforce journey, I want to share something important:
This ecosystem is full of opportunity. If you stay committed, keep learning, and reach out to the community, Salesforce can transform your life too.
Trailhead is free. The community is supportive. And the demand for skilled professionals continues to grow.
If you ever need support or guidance, feel free to connect. I’m always happy to help fellow Trailblazers grow.
Final Thoughts
My story is proof that career transitions are possible at any stage. Salesforce gave me a fresh start, a new career in technology, and the chance to work with passionate people around the globe.
And this is just the beginning.
Most Reads:
- 5 Agentic Lessons Learned from the Rise of the Agentic Enterprise Era
- What is Agentic Analytics? Your Guide to the Future of AI-Driven Insights
- Top 3 Takeaways from the Dreamforce 2025 Keynote: The Era of the Agentic Enterprise
- Dreamforce 2025 Main Keynote Top Announcements You Can’t Miss
- Your First 90 Days as a Salesforce Admin: A Step-by-Step Checklist
Resources
- [Salesforce Developer]- (Join Now)
- [Salesforce Success Community] (https://success.salesforce.com/)
For more insights, trends, and news related to Salesforce, stay tuned with Salesforce Trail
Márcio Nunes Nayme
My name is Márcio Nayme, I am 43 years old, and I am Brazilian. My professional journey began in another area, but I have been working with Salesforce as an administrator and QA tester for 4 years. I am very grateful to have discovered Salesforce and to work in this profession that I love so much. I hope to be able to share a lot of my experience here. Thank you very much for the opportunity.