GetMyFirstJob Ambassador
Hello, I Am Shenel
September 2022 Ambassador of the Month
My advice to someone thinking about doing an apprenticeship would be to try and align your values with the companies you apply to, this helps you better connect with the culture and helps you shine through in interviews. There is a lot opportunities that will come your way whilst you are an apprentice, so my advice would be to take on those new, possible scary tasks because it will be worth the learnings in the end!
Tell us more about your experience
As a Solution
Engineer, my role includes working alongside a salesperson to discover a
customer's business challenges and create a unique solution prototype to
present back to their decision makers, illustrating value and benefits via an
engaging story.
My highlight was
working on a project where I was the Lead Solution Engineer. This meant I had
more responsibility in conducting the discovery session with a customer. I was
able to connect with them and understand what their current tech stack looked
like and where there was room for improvement. After understanding their
problems at a deeper level, I presented a demo that resonated with their
challenges and received lots of positive feedback!
My proudest moment at
Salesforce would be the first time I presented in front of a customer. It was
just towards the end of my first year, so it was quite exciting and a great new
experience for me after preparing myself and practicing for the last 11 months.
After receiving lots of positive feedback from my team and colleagues I was
definitely proud of myself!
“After doing some
work experience at a few organisations, I knew that I wanted to pursue an
apprenticeship because I had learnt so much from them in a short space of time.
Part of me knew I wanted to get straight into working and learning-on-the-job
however another part of me wanted to have a degree, for future security. So,
when I learnt about Degree Apprenticeships, I knew this would be the perfect
alternative for what I needed. Having learnt through my entire education that I
am a kinaesthetic learner and excel when I have the opportunity to learn from
example.”
Although I knew
that I wanted to apply to apprenticeships, and had visited a few Insight Days,
in my first year of applying I was only getting to the final stages but didn't
get any offers. Fortunately, I had a back-up plan and had applied to some
universities too. I decided to go to university and work towards a Foundation
Degree. I also thought it would be best if I stayed away from home and
experienced what I might not, with an apprenticeship. Throughout that year, I
had more time to focus on the apprenticeship applications, which took up a lot
of time because of the competitiveness. I was also lucky enough to be offered
mentorship by someone I had met at a work experience opportunity at Salesforce.
My mentor helped me with my personal development, understanding where my
strengths and weaknesses were. Finally, after many applications, interviews and
assessment centres, I got offered two different degree apprenticeships! Both
large and well-known companies, with lots of opportunities. However, one stood
out to me much more, having experienced the culture and atmosphere of
Salesforce, I knew that I would have the freedom to grow with a supportive
network around me. So, I accepted Salesforce's offer.
Since starting the
apprenticeship, I have had an amazing support network around me. There are
apprentices in the year above me doing the same apprenticeship in the same
role, each of us were paired up with one of them and we still meet weekly! I
also have a 'Trailguide' in my host team who meets with me weekly to answer any
questions I might have around the industry, practicing my skills and shadowing
their opportunities. Additionally, I have a mentor in the wider business who I
meet with monthly. I have two managers, one from my host team that I meet
weekly and then my apprenticeship manager that I have regular communication
with.
Additionally, my
tutors have always been available to guide me and spend extra time, if needed,
further explaining concept such as Javascript, which was new to me when I started.
I also have a skills coach from the college that meets with me and my two
managers, quarterly to discuss my reflective statements.
“At the end of my
apprenticeship it is highly likely that I will be hired as a Full Time Employee
either in the team I am in now or another team.”
Interested in becoming an ambassador? Find out more!