This is a tricky subject, there seems to be the almost overwhelming idea that the best way to gain experience for your resume is to volunteer to implement &/or manage an org. There are two paths I see people taking.
- Volunteering with a Non-Profit
- Offering consulting work to a For-Profit end customer
Free Work:
Let’s get the easy one of the way first, DO NOT work for free for a “For-Profit” company.
Value your time accordingly, they wouldn’t give their services away, so why should you.
Don’t be fooled by the payment in “Experience” line. It doesn’t work in photography and it shouldn’t work in the Salesforce Ecosystem.
You’ve worked your ass off to be the admin that you are, don’t be taken advantage of.
Volunteering:
Volunteering for a Non-Profit is a hot topic, while I want to encourage it I also want to wrap it in a warning and a suggestion.
For most Non-Profits this platform will be the most central application that they have, the idea of “junior” level resource being responsible for the health of those orgs scares me.
So for the sake of my heart lets try forcing a change… Instead of taking on the project yourself, reach out someone in the community and ask them if they would like to partner with you on the project.
Work together to grow your skills (and theirs), approach it as mentorship. Approach it as a chance to upskill without risking the integrity of the Org you are working in.
If you’re having trouble finding someone to help, take a deep breath and send me a message. I’m more than happy to open my email up and make an introduction.
I’I’ll take it a step further, I’m more than happy to get Cloud Trailz involved to help you.
We’re here to help the little guy. And if helping the little guy pairing you with a senior level resource with the bandwidth to help. We’ll do it.