Coaching Excellence: How Salesforce France Mentors Elite Athletes into Tech Careers

What does a Salesforce Trailblazer have in common with an elite athlete? Simple: They both strive for excellence — and they both can find success in tech.

Indeed, after the medals are awarded and the competition fades, many athletes are faced with one question: “What’s next for me?” That’s where Athletes in Tech comes in — a Salesforce-designed program that helps French elite athletes learn in-demand skills, gain hands-on experience with technology, and connect with fellow athletes through curated content, all on Trailhead. Throughout this eight-week journey, athletes receive personalised technical training, as well as support from Salesforce mentors, with the ultimate goal of gaining a job in the Salesforce ecosystem.

In 2022 Salesforce became an Official Supporter of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. As a result of this partnership, in May 2023 the Athletes in Tech Programme was launched and has had 30 participants, including 3 Olympic athletes.

Discover more about this unique program — and meet three incredible Salesforce employees who help drive it forward:

Meet the Athletes in Tech Mentors

• Cyril Corvée: An experienced Technical Architect who began his career with an apprenticeship as a Software Engineer. Cyril joined Salesforce five years ago and is now leading a wide range of projects in France.
  
  
• Mallaurie Mulciba: As a Customer Success Manager, Mallaurie has been making an impact at Salesforce since 2013, evolving from a functional consultant to her current role focusing on financial services.
  
  
• Rémy Baylac-Jeantet: This Specialist Sales Engineer (SE) started his career in software engineering before pivoting into project management. He joined Salesforce in 2016 as a Marketing Cloud Project Manager, and now works in a pre-sales role, focusing on the public sector

Q: Why did you join the Athletes in Tech program — and what impact has mentoring had on you?

Mallaurie: "I love mentoring and opening doors for others. I was already doing it with different associations, and in 2023, I started mentoring a high school teenager through Salesforce. But I wanted to especially get involved in Athletes in Tech because, in 2022, I ran my first marathon, and during my preparation, I discovered the power of having sport in my life. So, mentoring an athlete was an amazing opportunity I could not miss. It’s helped me to empathise more and to improve my teaching skills. I now observe, listen and ask more questions."

Cyril: "I used to mentor people who wanted to transition into digital careers within the Trailblazer Community. When Salesforce France offered me this opportunity, I didn't doubt for a second! Mentoring helps me stay open-minded and learn from diverse perspectives."

Rémy: "My love for sports comes from my family, as my father almost became a professional cyclist and shared his passion with me. Having the opportunity to work with a professional athlete was an opportunity that I couldn't refuse.”

Q: Through this program, you spend eight weeks with your mentee — oftentimes going on a mutual journey of learning and growth. How did you approach this partnership?

Rémy: "I mentored a professional tennis player whose life was far from technology. We had to start from scratch with the foundations of business and Salesforce. Since he wasn't a big fan of the digital world, I faced the challenge of inspiring him and showing why I was so passionate about my career."

Cyril: "My mentee, a professional snowboarder, shared how she used to prepare for her Olympic Games, and it was the same approach that I have with digital projects — including objectives, milestones, and required resiliency and work. I started to work with her by first sharing the soft skills required in digital transformation, like adaptability and creativity, before sharing how to ramp up on the Salesforce platform with Trailhead."

Mallaurie: "My mentee is a professional golfer, and the main goal was to introduce her to the Salesforce ecosystem. I focused on showcasing my past and current roles, as well as other positions within the company, including Core Sales, Sales Specialist, and Consulting. It was an intriguing opportunity for the athlete because, although she has a bachelor's degree and a good understanding of the corporate world, it was the first time she was hands-on working with a tech company."

Feeling inspired? Anyone can be a mentor (including you!). Get started by exploring the Mentoring Basics Trail, before moving along to the Coaching & Feedback Trail to discover how to empower your team and improve your leadership skills.

Q: What’s the most significant lesson you learned through this mentorship program?

Cyril: "Before this mentorship, I was warned that working with athletes could be challenging due to their high expectations and fame. However, my experience proved otherwise. I had the opportunity to interact with numerous former and upcoming athletes in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and I found them all to be easygoing and enthusiastic about learning new skills."

Mallaurie: "A significant lesson is the importance of actively listening. I sensed that my mentee needed to hear the perspective on career choices from someone in her shoes: a former athlete. This led me to create a space for discussion by inviting an ex-athlete to one of our sessions; it was a powerful experience for both of us." 

Rémy: "Athletes are always open to new challenges. At the beginning of our mentorship, the athlete said he couldn't stay in front of a laptop for more than 30 minutes. Not only did he surpass the 30-minute mark, but he also began to enjoy learning new skills."

Q: How has Salesforce supported your mentorship journey with Athletes for Tech?

Cyril: "Salesforce offers us 56 hours, or seven business days, of Volunteer Time Off per year. This helps us to organise our days, allowing us to work for causes that matter to us.

Rémy: "From day one at Salesforce, the 1-1-1 model has been promoted, and we're encouraged to spend time volunteering. So, it is deeply rooted in the culture. For instance, in addition to the" Athletes in Tech" Program, I'll be a volunteer during the first week of the Olympics, helping the Paris 2024 team with a process built on the Salesforce Platform. It is called "La Carte Des Jeux," (Map of the Games). It is a geolocated map embedded in the official Paris 2024 Olympics mobile app, allowing visitors to find events, venues, shopping, and restaurants, all powered by Salesforce."

Q: Here at Salesforce, we know that anyone can be a Trailblazer. What’s a common misconception around career transitions you’ve encountered?

Mallaurie: "Contrary to popular belief, professional athletes are curious about everything that surrounds them, and they don't limit themselves to sports. They want to understand different topics and have an adopted mindset to transition to technology.

Rémy: "Athletes learn fast. After spending their life training five to six hours per day, they are rigorous and are not afraid of adversity."

Cyril: "Many people assume that an athlete would never want a tech job. But people don't realise that a tech job is not just office work. The world of tech offers a wide variety of roles that can adapt to any background. Before starting the programme, I discuss my mentees' interests to identify roles that match their personality."

Find Your Champion Spirit at Salesforce

Athletes dedicate almost their entire lives to sports — and deciding what to do next can be daunting. Through Athletes in Tech, our mentors step up and offer them guidance for the transition to a new chapter.

Looking to get the gold in your career journey? If you’re inspired by the impact of these three Salesforce Trailblazers and would like to join a culture of innovation and support, join our Talent Community below.