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Overcoming tragedy and joining the 5 certs in 5 weeks club!

August 1, 2016

David’s note: Sandip, this is the sweetest story that touches every emotion. Pain, struggle, hard work, hope, success, love, gratitude. You embody the best of SFDC99 and you’re an inspiration for me too to work harder on my dreams even if things don’t go as planned. I am not surprised by your success and I predict much more will come your way too!

Dear David,

I am really happy to tell the world my story on the most popular Salesforce blog. David, the only reason I have had this opportunity to put my words here is you and your amazing work spread by SFDC99.com.

Well 4 years back, I failed in my first technical interview for an internship project while I was in my final semester of my masters. The final words of the person taking the interview were ‘You can’t write a single line of code. Think about some other career options and stop imagining your career in IT companies.’


“You can’t write a single line of code. Think about some other career options and stop imagining your career in IT companies.”


I was very nervous and abandoned all hope. Though I had basic understanding of coding concepts, I didn’t code for any project or application. Maybe that’s the reason why I got rejected in the interview, I confess.

Motivational speeches helped me a lot to keep thinking in a positive way during this time. I thrived and successfully completed my thesis build on ‘Neural Network’, the most difficult topic I have ever worked for. Also, I joined a company as a trainee ASP.Net developer to learn programming on live projects. I was working all 7 days a week to manage both my thesis and company’s work.

After four months, I got an offer for Salesforce developer position. Since I was dreaming of a career in could computing, I decided to take the job. I prepared for the interview and got the job. The first few months passed and I began to understand just the basics of Salesforce. It was a daily practice for me to bookmark each useful link and learn Salesforce concepts from it after office work.

While searching for some help on Google, I came across SFDC99 and read through all of the pages within a day. ‘David Liu’ became my role model and I decided to be included in ‘5 Certificates in 6-weeks’ club after reading success story of Mayank and Adam.

When I began preparation and started gathering study materials in September ’15, my beloved sister passed away leaving me crying. It was really hard time to come back from the situation and look after my family. I was forced by conditions to quit my job.


“In September ’15, my beloved sister passed away.”


At some point, I had another chance to live my dreams. Days passed and everything came back to normal. I appeared in an interview again and was selected. My eagerness towards earning Salesforce certifications was still alive and my wife was well aware of this.

One day while discussing the exam and preparation plan, the discussion came to the end with a planned goal for ‘5 Certificates in 5 Weeks’ before July ’16. My wife sketched my schedule for preparation and compromised with an Anniversary Gift to arrange my exam fees at once for 5 certificates.

The actual preparation started and my days passed 14 hours working in front of computer screen: 8 while in office and 6 for SFDC exam preparation. I touched almost all of the ‘Help for this page’ links and the bunch of bookmarks created from my 3 years’ experience. The workbooks and ‘Limits & Consideration’ sections for each topic, Quizlet, and practice exams were also very helpful to pass the exams.

Finally, the day came on 22 July, I passed the Service cloud consultant certificate and entered into ‘5 certs in 5 weeks’ club.

At the end of my story, I would like to thank some special individuals who are directly or indirectly attached with my journey.

My God – I believe, He lives inside me, listen to me every time and He loves me a lot.

My father – He trusted me on every phase of my life whether it is about choosing the career option or allowing me to resign from government job before my masters.

David Liu – As a living inspiration, you have truly encouraged lots of people like me to learn SFDC and coding. David, you are the ROCKSTAR of Salesforce!!

Nishant Pradhan Sir – The leader who is known for his personality. Nothing I can say will ever convey the amount of gratitude, I owe to him for showing me how to have the right attitude.

My first interview taker – Thank you so much for opening my eyes to another beautiful life!

My wife – If I could, I would marry her thousand times.

Thanks,
Sandip Patel

Inspired by this story?
Read more success stories from other SFDC99 students!

Want to tell the world your story too?
Email it to sfdc99.mailbag@gmail.com and your story could be heard around the world!

52 Comments
Genevieve McCulloch
August 7, 2020 @ 1:26 pm

Sandip,

This is quite an inspirational story! I am so sorry for your loss and understand the sorrow of losing a sibling.

Blessings to your wife for supporting you during this challenging time. Continued peace and success for you and your family!

Reply
Sandip Patel
October 18, 2016 @ 4:48 am

Thanks Stephen..!

Reply
Momin Khan
September 27, 2016 @ 8:42 am

I salute your dedication and your wife’s support!
Thanks for sharing your truly inspirational story Sandeep!

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    October 18, 2016 @ 3:27 am

    Thank you so much Momin. !

    Reply
Anonymous
August 24, 2016 @ 11:57 pm

Truly Inspirational… It will inspire all of us.

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    September 8, 2016 @ 12:02 am

    Thank You..

    Reply
Rabia
August 4, 2016 @ 11:57 pm

Congratulations Sandip, you have proved nothing is impossible when you really want it :) keep it up!

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    September 8, 2016 @ 12:03 am

    Thanks Rabia..!!

    Reply
Manoj Dega
August 4, 2016 @ 2:25 pm

Inspirational Story. Congratulations Sandip

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    September 8, 2016 @ 12:05 am

    Thank you Manoj..!

    Reply
samir kuamr
August 4, 2016 @ 7:44 am

Wow…Nice piece of shear determination in torrid times and overcoming all your challenges.Best of luck for your future.
It inspires me too to deep think about taking this challenge

Samir

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    September 8, 2016 @ 12:07 am

    Thank you so much Samir !!

    Reply
Anonymous
August 3, 2016 @ 6:01 am

….Incredible :-)

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    October 18, 2016 @ 3:28 am

    Thank you..

    Reply
Suresh Boddu
August 2, 2016 @ 5:09 pm

Amazing….. Succes , Inspiring Story….

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    October 18, 2016 @ 3:29 am

    Thank you Suresh,.!

    Reply
Akhilesh
August 2, 2016 @ 10:26 am

Excellent Sandip!! Great job and congratulations for your achievements.

It’s a very inspirational and yes life is hard and we have to look little harder in some days but we should have faith that things will get better :)

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    October 18, 2016 @ 3:29 am

    Thank you Akhilesh..!

    Reply
Anonymous
August 2, 2016 @ 7:37 am

Grt … Congts …

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    October 18, 2016 @ 3:30 am

    Thanks…

    Reply
Chloe Majors
August 2, 2016 @ 7:34 am

Thank you for sharing. I’m so happy you were able to push yourself to join the “5 certs in 5 weeks club” – and it makes me feel like I can too! It sounds like you’ve got a great support system!

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    October 18, 2016 @ 3:31 am

    Thank you Chloe..&.Yes, You can DO IT !!

    Reply
Jignesh Chovatia
August 2, 2016 @ 2:00 am

Amazing Story, It is a pleasure working with you. You deserve that new Achievements and I am happy for you. I wish you many more success in your Career. :)

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    October 18, 2016 @ 3:31 am

    Thank you Jignesh..!

    Reply
Hitesh Chandnani
August 2, 2016 @ 1:59 am

Congratulations Dude ! you have created an example for all the people who lose hope, This shows that hard work and persistence can lead us to bright success irrespective of circumstances. Good Luck for your career :)

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    October 18, 2016 @ 3:32 am

    Thank you so much Hitesh.. !

    Reply
Ashok Rathva
August 2, 2016 @ 1:51 am

Congratulation Sandip Patel, You deserve for that and, Really I surprised on ” You can’t write a single line of code. Think about some other career options and stop imagining your career in IT companies ” obviously because you are one of the good Team leader and mentor for me during my Salesforce Career.

Thank you to Inspire me I will defiantly try my best

Have a Great Journey in Salesforce

Thanks
Ashok Rathva

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    October 18, 2016 @ 4:18 am

    Thank you so much brother…It’s pleasure working with you too.!!

    Reply
Nirdesh Bhatt
August 2, 2016 @ 1:15 am

Congratulation Sandip
Inspirational story..!!!!!

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    October 18, 2016 @ 4:19 am

    Thanks a lot Nirdesh..!

    Reply
Moksha Gandhi
August 2, 2016 @ 1:14 am

Such a inspiration story…
Congratulations Sandip.

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    October 18, 2016 @ 4:21 am

    Thank you ma’am..!

    Reply
Anonymous
August 2, 2016 @ 12:02 am

Hey..its really heart touching…sandip.Anyway congrts dear may god bless you and go further more and more

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    October 18, 2016 @ 4:21 am

    Thank you so much..!

    Reply
Anonymous
August 1, 2016 @ 10:40 pm

Congratulations Sandip!

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    October 18, 2016 @ 4:21 am

    Thanks…

    Reply
Nirav Shah
August 1, 2016 @ 10:06 pm

Congratulations Sandip…….
The Story is amazing and it really inspired me a lot…
I haven’t told you, When I was asked for what I need to become in next two years, I have said I just wanted to be The Sandip Patel. It’s really a very good opportunity for me that I have started my career with the person like you. You always inspired me.

Thanks for inpiring me/us and many congratulations to you

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    October 18, 2016 @ 4:44 am

    Ha. ha…. Thanks Nirav for your kind words. Really, I learned so many things from you…keep rocking. :)

    Reply
Sindoora Gopagoni
August 1, 2016 @ 9:49 pm

Congratulations Sandip… Keep going

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    October 18, 2016 @ 4:45 am

    Thanks Sindoora..!

    Reply
Nirmal shah
August 1, 2016 @ 9:45 pm

Inspirational story.. Really very happy for u.

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    October 18, 2016 @ 4:45 am

    Thank you Nirmal..!

    Reply
Ketan Solanki
August 1, 2016 @ 9:34 pm

Hey Sandip, This is really great news. Many Congratulations for the Certifications. I am happy that i knows you personally. Wish good future where ever you worked. You are really hard worker and inspiration for others. I spent more than 5 years as a Salesforce Developer but still no certification. After your inspirational blog will definitely do the same this year.

Thanks & Regards,

Ketan Solanki

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    October 18, 2016 @ 4:46 am

    Thank you so much Ketanbhai for your kind words..!

    Reply
Chad
August 1, 2016 @ 8:52 pm

WOW! Thank you for sharing. You have encouraged me!

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    October 18, 2016 @ 4:47 am

    Thank you Chad..!

    Reply
Kumar
August 1, 2016 @ 7:54 pm

I Wish you a great success in your life Sandip..Good information.

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    October 18, 2016 @ 4:47 am

    Thank you so much Kumar..!

    Reply
Anonymous
August 1, 2016 @ 7:34 pm

Amazing Story. Congratulation Dude!!!

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    October 18, 2016 @ 4:48 am

    Thank you..!

    Reply
Stephen Birge
August 1, 2016 @ 5:42 pm

Fantastic story. Thank you for sharing.

Reply
    Sandip Patel
    October 18, 2016 @ 4:49 am

    Thanks Stephen..!

    Reply

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