Safiyyah Gareeboo (BA English Literature and Philosophy, 2015), Salesforce and Pardot Consultant shares her tips and advice for life as a graduate and what she has learnt in her three years since leaving University.
Briefly describe your current role: I consult SMBs and Non-Profits on implementation, training and solution design for the Salesforce CRM Platform and it’s associated products. My main focus is on Pardot, which is a marketing automation tool that helps businesses generate and nurture prospective customers.
What is the biggest mistake you have made since graduating and what have you learnt from it?
In order to get out of a job that I didn’t enjoy, I rushed into an internship that wasn’t right for me. I treated it as a way out, rather than a step forward but it was through undertaking that role that I was able to work out what I needed in a job. Now I know that the right role for me is one in which I am learning and meeting new people, which is exactly what I am able to do now!
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
A previous line manager realised that I enjoyed learning and encouraged setting time in my work diary for career development. His advice on this really helped me in that role and continues to, as it has kept me fulfilled and aware of trends and developments in the industry. Taking the time out of your work week to do something different, even if it’s as simple as reading a blog or newsletter, can really make a difference to your enjoyment and productivity in any role.
What do you know now that you wish you’d known as soon as you graduated?
That there’s no rush! There’s sometimes a pressure to get your dream job straight away but I’ve learnt a lot by taking my time. Post-graduation is still a time to be learning and it’s okay if it takes a while to figure out what you want.
Can you recommend us something?
I would recommend Trailheads for anyone interested in working in the Salesforce Ecosystem (or Sales/Business/Marketing in general!). It’s one of the best self-learning tools I’ve seen and you get a free test environment to play in. This is open to everyone and there are a variety of modules and courses which give you points and badges that are recognised across the industry. Salesforce is used by a huge range of companies – from small local charities to Adidas and eBay – so it’s a valuable skill to have for any career path.