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Obstacles as Opportunities: Principal Technical Architect Blazes New Trails at Salesforce

Salesforce Careers

October 25, 2023

Praisy Abraham, Principal Technical Architect at Salesforce
Praisy Abraham, Principal Technical Architect at Salesforce

Watch out, obstacles. Praisy Abraham — Principal Technical Architect at Salesforce — is coming through.

“I used to see obstacles as setbacks,” shared Praisy. “Now, I see them as one more step toward brilliance.”

By breaking down barriers, creating new opportunities for innovation, and always learning, Praisy pivoted her career from Software Engineer to Principal Technical Architect at Salesforce. We sat down with Praisy to learn about her unique career path.

Interested in architecting your Salesforce career? Discover open opportunities today!

 

What’s a Technical Architect?

Technical Architects are technology thought leaders and advisors who design solutions. We focus on solving intricate business challenges by providing expertise in Integration, Security, Development, Data, and AI domains. At our core, we’re problem-solving enthusiasts who harness technology to drive business transformation and long-term customer success.

“I love working for Salesforce because I’m the captain of my own ship. I can navigate my career how I want.”

What do you like about your role, and about working at Salesforce?

Praisy co-led a session on Data and Automation at Dreamforce 2022 with Technical Architect Heba Abdelkodous.
Praisy co-led a session on Data and Automation at Dreamforce 2022 with Technical Architect Heba Abdelkodous.

I find joy in the convergence of technology and human connection. In my role at Salesforce, I talk to remarkable people every day and can positively impact my customers' diverse business challenges. These challenges fall on a spectrum, from unlocking operational efficiency to transformative customer journeys. Sometimes, my job is to bridge the gap between technical complexities and business objectives.

I love working for Salesforce because I’m the captain of my own ship. I can navigate my career how I want. The people I work with genuinely support each other, not only in daily roles but also in career aspirations. Throughout my journey, I've been fortunate to find invaluable mentors who've been pivotal to my success.

 

Talent Community

What was your biggest obstacle in your career, and how did you overcome it?

In the early stages of my career, I was a software engineer who aspired to tackle large-scale issues and have a more substantial influence within the industry. I set my sights on technical architecture. As my career progressed, I seized the opportunity to serve as a consultant in Mauritius.

During my time there, I recognized two significant challenges. First, I acknowledged the need to further develop my expertise within the realm of architecture. Second, I saw that women were significantly underrepresented in the tech field. In fact, I was frequently the only woman in a room of executives.

I proactively took the initiative to confront those challenges by achieving my Master's in Management Information Systems, which significantly augmented my architectural experience. I also started actively engaging with equality-focused groups to explore ways of fostering greater equity in tech. That's why I'm currently involved with Southasiaforce — Salesforce's employee resource group for South Asian employees and allies.

“Challenges aren’t barriers. They’re catalysts to your brilliance that bring you one step closer to your goal.”

What makes you a Trailblazer?

One thing that makes me a Trailblazer is holding kindness in the highest regard—an essential cornerstone to lead with empathy. Mentoring and coaching aspiring Trailblazers from diverse backgrounds through their transition into the technology world brings me immense joy. My ultimate goal is to instill self-assurance within my community and empower them to advocate for their aspirations.

Equally vital is my conscious endeavor to intentionally pause and foster work-life balance. These moments not only reignite my motivation but also rejuvenate me to embrace new challenges.

What advice would you give your early-career self?

Praisy along with other Equality Leaders participated in a volunteering event at the Global Equality Leadership Summit
Praisy along with other Equality Leaders participated in a volunteering event at the Global Equality Leadership Summit

Challenges aren’t barriers. They’re catalysts to your brilliance that bring you one step closer to your goal.

My younger self didn’t quite see it that way. As a woman of color navigating the immigrant life in the U.S. was hard but all those challenges made me more resilient. I see obstacles and setbacks as stepping stones, not roadblocks. They help me to get closer to my goals.

 

 

What is the best advice you've ever received?

My parents ingrained the importance of practicing gratitude within me — regardless of circumstances. There is an undeniable power in being grateful for what we have — even as we strive for better outcomes.

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