From Berlin to the Silicon Docks: Why Relocation to Dublin Was the Best Step

Relocating to a new city can be a daunting prospect, especially when you’re just beginning your career after university. For Alicia Wuerth, a Business Development Representative in Dublin, she’d already traveled from her home in Germany to Lisbon for a Masters degree before considering a move to Dublin’s tech hub. But it wasn’t an easy decision. Here, we take a walk down Alicia’s career path, exploring how she made her way to Salesforce’s EMEA HQ, what she’s learned on her sales journey so far, and what she loves about living in Dublin.

The Beginning of Her Sales Journey

Alicia first found her love for sales in a part-time job in her hometown in Germany. “I loved listening to customers' visions, advising them, and guiding them to make decisions. This aspect of the job was incredibly fulfilling, as it required building trust and adapting to customer needs to avoid being seen as too pushy.” 

A Rocky Road to Dublin

When Alicia moved on to university, she studied Industrial Engineering for Chemistry and Process Engineering at the Technical University of Berlin — quickly discovering that she was more interested in the economics and managerial courses in her curriculum. This spurred her on to choose a Master’s degree in Management at the Nova School of Business and Economics in Lisbon, marking her first move to a new European city. 

Alicia loved the lifestyle and culture of sunny Lisbon, and a career in Dublin’s tech scene wasn’t on her radar — she hadn’t even heard of Salesforce by then. “It seems absurd to me now! Salesforce is the market leader in CRM, and almost every business should be familiar with it. At the time, I knew I wanted to go into tech sales, but I had no idea how pivotal Salesforce would become in my journey.”

Alicia found out about the Futureforce program through a chance LinkedIn message from one of our recruiters. “She invited me to apply for the Business Development Associate role in Dublin, which is part of the Futureforce program, Salesforce’s entry-level position in sales,” she said. 

Alicia further stated "she made me feel like I was already part of the Salesforce family, even before I applied. Her enthusiasm and genuine support during the recruitment process were contagious.”

“The more I learned about Salesforce and Dublin, the more my perspective shifted,” Alicia explained. “The potential of working in the ‘Silicon Docks,’ Europe’s largest tech scene, was hard to ignore. Salesforce offered a comprehensive training program, which I saw as a golden opportunity to hone my skills and grow professionally.”

Alicia was also attracted to Dublin’s bustling international community and beautiful natural scenery. “The city is a melting pot of people from all over the world, many of whom share a similar mindset and ambitions. This sense of never being alone was incredibly reassuring. 

But what truly swayed me was discovering Ireland's scenic beauty… From the stunning Cliffs of Moher to the charming towns like Galway and Cork, and the beautiful beaches along the Wild Atlantic Way, I realized there was so much to explore… and it added a new layer of excitement to the move.”

Alicia's Career as a BDR

Walking into the office on her first day of the Futureforce program, Alicia knew she had made the right decision. “It felt like being a freshman again, but this time with the added benefit of knowing that everyone was here to support one another.”

One of her favorite aspects of the role at Salesforce is her access to fantastic mentors. “In my daily tasks, whether it was strategizing for a sales pitch, aligning on sales targets, or simply seeking advice on client interactions, I encountered numerous opportunities to learn from seasoned professionals. These interactions weren’t just about closing deals; they were about growing and learning together.”

Moving through the ranks from BDA to SDR and now a BDR in Salesforce meant that Alicia has gotten the chance to craft her own sales path at Salesforce. She credits hard work, continuous learning and strategic thinking as some of the keys to her continued success.

And in the future? She sees herself moving to an Account Executive role — and mentoring others along the way. “My goal is to become a leader who not only excels in sales but also inspires and mentors my team. By sharing my knowledge and experiences, I aim to help my colleagues achieve their career aspirations, just as I have been supported in mine.”

Dreaming of following a similar path to Alicia? Relocating to our Dublin office is a fantastic opportunity to kickstart your career in sales at one of the top tech companies in the world. Join us at Salesforce and explore our open roles here.