Specialisation in a single area of interest is a well-trodden path to success. So what happens when you specialise in two?
Ajit Patil’s journey has some answers.
Patil is a trained doctor of pharmacy. Unlike many of his peers, he did not have the access to financial resources to go abroad for an advanced degree after his studies in India.
The career option available to Patil then was to take a non-medical role as a clinical pharmacist in a medical establishment. He decided not to pursue this, since it would not harness his abilities. With two older siblings working as technologists, he was also comfortable with technology and aware of how it could unlock new opportunities.
So in 2018, Patil took up a role in a healthcare IT firm. But the youngster was not challenged by the basic job he had there, working on end-user tools for documents compliance. “I have a six-year postgraduate degree and felt I could do something much more creative,” he says.
It was clear that only deep learning in technology would get him the good roles, but could he do it with his non-technical background?
When trying to break into a technology career, why did you choose Salesforce?
My brother suggested I look at Salesforce as a place to begin, as it is a platform that accepts entrants from all professional backgrounds, and you don’t need to be a coder to start off. It seemed like a good piece of advice and I started with Journey2Salesforce.
Salesforce captured my imagination straight away. I would spend up to nine hours each day making my way through Trailhead and getting badges and certifications.
Three years into my journey, I am happy to share that I am certified as a Salesforce admin, Application Builder and Platform Developer.
As you made your way through the Journey2Salesforce program and other Trailhead modules, how did the Trailhead community help you grow?
I had a couple of mentors in the first company where I worked who helped me get past technical hurdles while I was learning how to code. Help.salesforce.com was also a useful resource.
While I was making good progress on the technical front, I had little or no idea about various roles in IT such as business analyst, developer and consultant.
To address this, I made it a point to attend as many Trailblazer community events as I could, and built a supportive professional network amongst the Trailhead community in my city. They gave me valuable inputs on the nature of jobs in IT, and how to shape a suitable resume for these roles.
I wholeheartedly credit this ecosystem with helping me build the confidence to succeed at the workplace, which is as crucial as technical skills.
How did you land your first tech role?
I got my first Salesforce-based developer role in 2020 as I was finishing my Journey2Salesforce training.
The HR at this IT consulting firm was initially unsure that I would be able to contribute as I did not come from a formal technical background. I told them to give me a chance as an intern. This proposal, along with my healthcare training opened this door for me.
But the internship dragged on for many months and I was soon on the lookout for a role that would use my talents better. Fortunately, I came across my current company which builds healthcare solutions on the Salesforce Platform. They were happy to take me on board as a Salesforce developer.
How does Salesforce help you in your current role of building digital solutions for the life sciences industry?
My employer is an ISV partner for enterprise pharmaceutical companies. We build and deliver digital solutions for the lifesciences R&D space. This gives me the opportunity to use both my specialisations to create customer value by helping them bring cures to market faster.
We do this by leveraging the Salesforce Platform to innovate and customise rapidly, so our solutions evolve with changing business needs. I recently spearheaded the development of a pharmacovigilance product built on Salesforce Platform. It helps pharma companies to monitor and report adverse events once the drug or device has been launched in the market.
In this company, I have played diverse roles within a short span of time, starting with a developer role, moving on to be a functional consultant, and now working as a Project Lead to help customers in implementing solutions tailored to their needs. I now manage client relationships and supervise internal teams. My employers appreciate my dual expertise in healthcare and technology and I feel valued here.
With accessible resources and a network of mentors, the Salesforce Trailblazer ecosystem gave me a great career start in technology and has helped me get this far.
How do you give back to the Trailhead community?
Giving back is in the DNA of the Trailblazer Community. It has got me where I am today, and motivates me to do the same.
I have set up 17 groups to help 300 learners on Salesforce. And have shared my learnings and experiences through various events, talks shows and panel discussions. I spend my weekends training my protégés in various areas of Salesforce, and try to support them over quick online chats during the week.
A few of my protégés have already been placed in well-paying roles where they use Salesforce. Some of them come from a life sciences background and were daunted at the thought of making a career change. I am glad I was able to guide and support them. I am only paying forward what I was fortunate to receive from the Trailhead community.
What are some of the main learnings you would like to share as a Salesforce Trailblazer to other aspirants looking to switch careers like you did?
Interested to know more? Join the Trailblazer Community and connect with fellow Trailblazers here.
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