Sharpening My Salesforce Skills and Tackling PD1
It’s been a few months since my last blog post, and in that time, I’ve been incredibly busy keeping my Salesforce skills sharp. One of the ways I’ve been doing this is by tackling different Salesforce exams—even some I honestly had no business trying! But with expiring vouchers in hand, I figured there was no harm in using them to at least experience what was on the exams.
The first one up was the PD1, or Platform Developer I, certification. This is a significant one for me, as it’s the final certification I need to complete the Salesforce Application Architect credential.
PD1 was as difficult as I anticipated, especially coming from a non-coding background. I still struggle to get my head around Apex code. While I’ve become competent in understanding what the code means, particularly with the help of AI, and can identify problems, I don’t have the chops to create my own code from scratch, and quite honestly never intended to do so. However, as PD1 is a requirement for the Application Architect credential, so I’ll continue to learn as I go and trust that at some stage I’ll be capable of passing this exam.
Deepening My AI Understanding and Exploring Slack
Perhaps even more important for my career and ongoing learning is how I’ve gained an even deeper understanding of how AI can help facilitate all the products and tools I work across, as well as generative AI agents. They always say you get more out of learning when you do something you’re passionate about, and part of this has been my ongoing exploration of Slack and Salesforce. I’ve been testing and implementing their new capabilities and features, and as part of this, I’m leaning into learning more and practicing with Salesforce Agents and how they can be utilized in Slack in addition to Salesforce.
In addition to PD1, I also attempted the Identity and Access exam back in April. This one is definitely more relevant to the work I do. Unfortunately, I didn’t pass on my first go and need to spend more time before I feel ready to try again. The third exam I had a voucher for was the Slack Developer one. This also required more study than I had time for, but I definitely learned a lot just by sitting the exam. Thankfully, I embrace the knowledge I gain along the way—whether it’s from studying, working, or sitting for exams. I know that actually passing them isn’t the be-all and end-all; it’s definitely about the journey.
Mastering Data Transformation with Worakto
Beyond certifications, I’ve also been building crucial skills in learning how to use powerful tools like Workato to transform and move data between platforms. It’s pretty cool the stuff we can do with automation and triggers to streamline processes and connect disparate systems. This hands-on experience is proving incredibly valuable in the real world of operations.
Focusing on Architectural Operations
I’m really enjoying working more on the operations side of businesses and understanding their needs from an architectural perspective. It’s nice to focus on the overarching view, as well as being down in the nitty-gritty technical side. I love working with people in different parts of the business, understanding what’s working well for them, and identifying the challenges or day-to-day things that take more time than they should. My passion lies in designing solutions to improve effectiveness and experience for all.
Sync Savvy 