Salesforce coding lessons for the 99%Finally, Apex tutorials for point-and-click admins! Written by a self-taught Google engineer.
Salesforce coding lessons for the 99%
David’s note: John, you’ve officially broken the record for oldest person to have an SFDC99 success story =) You know what, you’ve inspired me to take a look at myself to see if I have any bias against older professionals. If I missed out on a candidate like you it’d be a huge loss! Thank you for sharing and reminding us that age is just a number!
Hey David!
You have posted some great stories recently about older folks who have transitioned to Salesforce developer. So, I thought you might like my story too.
I just picked up my 6th certification, Platform Developer I, at 60 years old. Woohoo!
Thanks for allowing me to prep for the test with some of your developer courses on Pluralsight!
Recently I started a new job as a Solution Architect for one of the Salesforce Platinum Partner consulting firms. Cool title.
I believe there is some age discrimination in the workplace. It was mentioned in a recent HR diversity webinar I took during onboarding with my new employer. In the Salesforce industry, if you know the subject matter, the demand is high enough that some companies are willing to hire us more mature Salesforce professionals. The age discrimination issue doesn’t get as much attention as some of the other diversity issues, but as the baby boomers age and are forced to work longer, it might become more of an issue.
I have a BS in Computer Science. I was a systems programmer for many years. After some success, I went into the NPO world managing technology for good. I stopped programming and started working in the NPO technology space.
I started working on Salesforce over 6 years ago. I came into Salesforce from the NPO side. I worked at a non-profit technology company that did consulting projects for other NPOs. We also ran an HMIS database system for 5 counties. Our users came from many NPO agencies. The HMIS database had over 600 users and we needed a help desk! A woman on board of directors recommended we use Salesforce to build the help desk because it was free for NPOs. Thanks for being my Salesforce mentor Connie!
I rolled out Salesforce with Cases and a help desk. Email-to-Case, Web-to-Case, assignment rules, all that fun stuff. I really enjoyed working on the platform. We used it for the help desk, to track grants, and I started getting requests for more features. I decided to go to Dreamforce. Wow! Mind blown! During Mark’s keynote, he asked everyone that worked for NPOs to stand up and be recognized. I was humbled. He said these people are doing God’s work, help them. I still do some volunteer work for my favorite NPO, an agency I helped convince to manage their programs using Salesforce.
After Dreamforce I was hooked! I drank the Kool-aid. I got my Administrator certification, I got my Force.com Developer certification. I got a job doing Salesforce full time and I got a big salary increase. I kept studying and slowly adding certifications. Now I have 6 certifications including the shiny new Platform Developer I certification! I wonder if I am the oldest to pass the PD1 certification exam?? Probably not, because I know lots of smart old people. :-)
I have told a few of my older developer friends that if they want to renew their skills, stay productive, and work on a fun platform with a great community behind it, learn Salesforce! But sometimes it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks. Not this old dog.
John Reed
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!
Good news, John Reed,your achievements are truly inspiring.
Recently my company has begun using Salesforce lighting app for mobile workers in my field; and I came across some YouTube videos on apex coding. I am amazingly understanding programming again and would like to write the Salesforce admin and development exam.
I am a 58 year old pest management professional who worked as a technical support person in UNIX for almost 20 years; but due to lack of certifications had to do other lines of work.
This is amazing, Thanks for Sharing your story David such amazing story and John to be open. I can say that I at 32 years old sometimes think for silly moment, maybe i should not focus so much on new things and stick to normal and secure path but only to later be slapped in the face with gloves of such determination and passion to keep growing and have this push every morning to know more and become a better professional and having loads of fun with Salesforce.
Have wonderful day everyone and kisses from Dubai.
Thank you for sharing Diogo =)
John you are an absolute inspiration! I’m a Salesforce support agent and now 61 years old. With Salesforce training and some great training from SFDC99, I now have an Admin and Platform Builder 1, and a Developer 1 certificate.
I started my job at Salesforce as my first job after my CS degree about 3 years ago (yes, I went back to school for a second degree at 55 years old). I have a prior degree in Business Admin, but not a lot of computer programming experience. Its challenging sometimes, but just the sort of challenge that I thrive on. I’m doing way better than I hoped for, and really enjoying it!
Salesforce as a company is very clear about age discrimination- so I feel valued and not discriminated against at all. We all work as a very diverse team, something I have come to really love about this journey with Salesforce.
To all those thinking of a new career- create the space to do it- and push yourself to keep going till its yours. Its not easy, but the end reward is outstanding!
Great job John! I too am an older worker at 55 years and trying to break into Salesforce. Currently I am volunteering my time as Salesforce NPSP Admin for a local NPO and am going to be setting up another local NPO on NPSP. I just received my Salesforce Administrator certification a couple of months ago and am working on getting other certifications as well. Just like you John, I have a background in technology, over 25 years, but am having more difficulty breaking into Salesforce. Your post is very inspiring! Thank you!
You go, John!! You are definitely much smarter and cooler than most of us! Age is indeed a mere number in itself for talented people alike. Keep Shining!
I love these of stories. They make me smile. Way to go John and Federick!
Congratulations John,
You are an inspiration.
This is awesome and thanks for sharing. Age means nothing, and some people are going through a career change and need to reinvent themselves. Salesforce certification is the way to go! I have been trying to inspire my 60 year old mom who is looking for a sales job to get certified and go into Sales role for Salesforce. I am going to forward her your post. God Bless!
Hey John,
Its great to be working with you and learning from you. I loved reading this post.
Regards,
Tanvir
Great story John. And thanks for posting it David. I am 55 years old, recently moved from the UK to the Netherlands. Salesforce was also a springboard for my new career. But also, my health and happiness. Two years ago, I went through life-changing experiences after a relationship separation and battles in court to maintain access to my 5 year old daughter. And, not only was Salesforce a new and exciting career but it helped my sanity during 2 years of mental recovery. Instead of continuing with depression, I got busy,busy,busy with study. A study plan was formulated and, after 18 months, I have ; Admin, Dev1 and 2, Sales Cloud consultant and am currently specialising in Marketing Cloud Consultant. With 53 Trailhead badges and 43,000 points, it’s like a huge rewarding thing too. Greater by miles than my degree qualifications. I am now setting up a partner consultancy and waiting for Salesforce to approve us as a sales and implementation partner. I also teach and mentor others in the platform. Especially immigrants and people who want a new career and are prepared to work for it. In my experience, as the certificates mounted up, agencies were calling me all the time and I had lots of job offers starting at euro 50k. Supply Vs demand is so much in our favour, I could literally pick and choose where and when to work.. With realistic consulting rates now at 450-750 per day, it’s a serious economic reality and was in my case a ‘no-brainer’. I work 3 days around my clients, the rest, flexibly from home. This fulfills my other very important need, which is my daughter who I have valuable quality time with. I also play and train at Squash. Age, in my case is a huge benefit. Because, people see me, not only as an I.T expert but, also as a wise, experienced businessman. Their platform is safe in my hands. The reality is, 3 years ago, I never touched I.T and knew nothing of Java, Javascript, HTML, CRM etc. But, now I do and am loving it. BUT! A word of warning… learn the platform well, fully immerse yourself in it. Learn Apex well(through David’s tutorials and trailhead), and know HTML and Javascript. And… get your hands dirty. Live it, breathe it.