My Salesforce Summer Internship: The Who, What, When, Where & How!
Saskia Higgins
July 01, 2020
I first became interested in Salesforce in my final year of High School. I had a friend doing the Summer Internship and she told me all about the program; Futureforce. What stood out to me most was the concept of “Ohana” which means family in Hawaiian and is a huge part of life at Salesforce.
In college I did more research on Salesforce and made use of Trailhead - Salesforce’s own learning platform. I became much more familiar with the company, their values, and what they do, and knew Salesforce was somewhere I was interested in working.
This past February, before COVID-19 hit Ireland, I applied to the Sales and Solutions Engineer Intern Role. I have some previous experience with sales operations so knew I would be interested in the role and could be a good fit. When COVID-19 hit and internships were being cancelled, I did not have much hope. In April, however, I received an email saying my application had been successful and I was moving onto the interview stage.
My interview process consisted of two phone calls regarding my background and interest in Salesforce and then a final video interview with an Entry Programs Manager detailing my experiences and how I would fit with the company. All three of my interviewers made me feel comfortable and answered any and all questions I had.
A few days after my video interview I received a phone call from my recruiter letting me know I got the job! I was incredibly excited and felt prepared to get started on my Salesforce journey.
My Internship Experience
My internship is based (virtually) out of Dublin and will last for eight weeks - from June 16th to August 11th. I am working alongside 58 other interns from nine different countries - the diversity is amazing!
The first two weeks consisted of welcome sessions, introductions, and Admin Certification Training. We started our projects in Week 3 and will continue working on them until the end of our program. So far, working on the projects has been great.
My team and I work well together and are interested in the Storytelling Enablement Program we are building so I am excited to continue developing it. My days mostly consist of project work, meetings with stakeholders, my team, and my project coach so I can confidently say work is never boring!
Salesforce also hosts a variety of intern events, such as intern yoga, coffee tasting, and painting. I have also gotten the chance to hear from Salesforce senior leaders across EMEA and AMER and learn more about their work and how I can get the most out of my time at Salesforce.
My Highlights
The main three things I would highlight about my time so far at Salesforce are:
1. Intern Social Events
With the internship being virtual I worried about how I would network and build ties with my fellow interns. Luckily, Salesforce hosts Intern Social Events nearly weekly so we can get to know each other more in a fun environment. So far, I have attended a virtual yoga class and a group volunteering session. In the coming weeks we have a coffee tasting and a paint workshop.
2. Inclusivity
One of Salesforce’s core values is equality, which shows through the diversity of their workforce. I grew up in America, surrounded by people from different backgrounds and ethnicities so I know I have always wanted to work somewhere that emulates this inclusivity. One of the perks of an online internship is that I am working with interns from all over EMEA, rather than Ireland alone. We have been able to share recipes, music, and cultures from each of our home countries - something I would not have had as much exposure to had my internship been in-person.
3. Every Day is Different
One question everyone seems to ask about a job is “what does a typical day look like?”. In this program, no day looks the same. One of the things I like the most about this job is the freedom and responsibility we have. Some days, I may only have one or two meetings, which gives me the rest of the day to work on my project, partake in our bi-weekly coffee chats, volunteer and so on. Other days, I may have back-to-back meetings, which means I have less time to work on other tasks. The key is to plan out your week and balance what needs to be done so you can be productive and get the most out of your time.
What I want to Complete in the Final 2 Weeks of my Internship
I am eager to fulfill the goals of my V2MOM (Visions, Values, Methods, Obstacles, Measures) before I finish up. I am excited to continue working on my project so by the end we have a finished Storytelling Program ready for implementation. I would also like to get my Salesforce Administration Certification, complete 10 volunteer hours, and strengthen my relations with my managers and fellow interns.
Tips on Applying for an Internship at Salesforce
If you are interested in applying for an internship at Salesforce there are three main tips I would offer:
1. Use Your Network
Connections are so helpful. If you know someone who works at Salesforce reach out to them on LinkedIn and ask for 15 minutes of their time to learn more about the interview process, the company and so on. LinkedIn also has a feature that allows you to search by company and then filter by school so you can find alumni from your college who now work at Salesforce and connect with them. Make sure to include a note introducing yourself and what you would like to talk to them about.
2. Make Sure Your Values Align
Salesforce’s core values are Trust, Customer Success, Innovation, and Equality. Before you apply, you should ask yourself if your personal values align with these and with Salesforce’s culture as a whole. Part of the interview process is them checking that you would be a good cultural fit with the company. If your values don't align, not only will you likely not be a good match for the company but the company won’t be a good match for you.
3. Do your Research
Before you apply, research what Salesforce is, what they do, and what they stand for. A great way to do this is with Trailhead. Also check out Salesforce’s website, customer stories, and social media pages (follow Marc Benioff on Twitter). Researching the company will help you ace your interview but will also help you figure out if Salesforce is where you want to work.
I am excited for the second half of my internship as I have thoroughly enjoyed the last four weeks and am in awe of how quickly they have gone by…
After all, time flies when you’re having fun!
You can learn more about opportunities available to interns and new grads at Salesforce on our Futureforce website.