Triple Star Ranger Helps Pave Career Trail for Mentees

Saurabh Gupta, Director of Software Engineering at Salesforce, first learned about the Workforce Navigators (WFN) Mentorship Program through a Salesforce VTO Slack Channel. The program offers career support to job seekers with disabilities who are exploring roles within the Salesforce ecosystem, working towards Salesforce certifications, or have already been certified. Saurabh was immediately struck by the opportunity to cultivate talent in this community and knew he wanted to get involved. 

“As mentors, we have the opportunity to assist [mentees] in their journey. That was it — I was immediately sold on the program,” Saurabh said. 

Volunteer Salesforce employee mentors drive the WFN Mentorship Program, dedicating hours from their VTO to connect on a weekly basis with mentees. By building relationships and sharing their experiences and advice, mentors help support mentees throughout their application and interview process. 

"Our mentorship program is designed to be mutually beneficial,” said Lucia Rios, Workforce Navigators Program Associate, who runs the WFN Mentorship Program. “Mentees receive one-on-one guidance and establish goals based on their career journey, while mentors have the opportunity to share their knowledge and skills, and also learn from their mentees.” 

Since signing up, Saurabh has served as a mentor four times, and does not anticipate stopping anytime soon.

Leadership through experience

Saurabh has 20 years of experience in various software industries across different segments, from startup, to midsize, and enterprise organizations. Since joining Salesforce in 2019, he has led many products and domains for different stacks, including managed packages, off-core, and Salesforce core platform. Saurabh currently works in the Revenue Lifecycle Management product in the Industries & Revenue Clouds Business unit. He is also a Triple Star Ranger, having earned 600+ badges and two Salesforce certifications.

Saurabh earned a BS in computer science before starting his professional journey as a software engineer. He also completed two executive education programs from the University of California, Berkeley, HaaS school of Business, and MIT Sloan, bringing a diverse mix of skills and certifications to the program. 

Saurabh’s mentees benefit from this deep professional experience and the perspective he brings. “I learned a lot of different ways to utilize the Salesforce platform,” said Elana "Ellie" Margolis, one of his mentees. “Saurabh is full of knowledge, and you can see his love to help people.” 

According to Lucia, "Saurabh is one of our superstar mentors. His investment in his mentees and our program, which we all take pride in, has been invaluable. He believes in our mission and has been open about his growth as a mentor."

Trust: The core of the mentee/mentor relationship

WFN mentees sign up for a twelve-week program that trains professionals with disabilities, ensuring they are equipped with in-demand Salesforce skills and certifications. As a mentor, Saurabh typically spends 60 to 90 minutes per week with his assigned mentee, determining goals and working through the core schedule and agenda of the program, focusing on areas where his mentee needs help or coaching. Saurabh also shares both successes and failures from his own professional journey with his mentees.

“It starts with earning each other’s trust so we can have open discussions and conversations without being judgmental,” explained Saurabh about his approach to mentoring. “The sole purpose is to understand their personal goals and try to make an impact in their professional lives.”

During his time with his mentees, Saurabh contextualizes the overall technology industry as it applies to the Salesforce ecosystem, and helps Trailblazers get started on their own Salesforce journey, using Trailhead, Salesforce certifications, and Superbadges to get hands-on experience solving real-world challenges. He also conducts mock interviews with mentees and helps make suggestions for tailoring their resumes and LinkedIn profiles for their targeted roles. 

Personal and professional growth

A strong mentor-mentee relationship can benefit both the mentee and the mentor, as both learn and grow through the experience. For Saurabh, being a mentor has helped his professional development as well as personal growth. It has also given him a sense of reciprocity that brings him together with candidates “who have a strong willingness to make a significant shift in their professional journeys.”

Over the course of four cohorts, Saurabh works to continually build on his mentorship and coaching style.

“I can now coach mentees based on their experience, interests, and strengths, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach” he said.

Mentoring also inspired Saurabh to get a Salesforce certification to understand the overall process of enrolling, taking the exam, and the types of questions that will be asked. The experience of earning certifications himself allowed him to provide better coaching and guidance to his mentees — and to gain two additional credentials for his own professional profile. 

Inspired to bring his best

People and their personal stories always inspire Saurabh to give his all in coaching, guidance, and helping to shape their careers. Everyone works through different phases and challenges in their lives, and after hearing mentees’ stories, he said he could relate to how invaluable support can be in times when it’s needed the most. 

“Their stories are more than inspirational,” says Saurabh. “I am honored and humbled to be accepted as a mentor by them and committed to giving my best.”

If you are interested in becoming a Mentor for Workforce Navigators, apply today.