The Life-Changing Power of Mentorship: 5 Reasons to Become a Trailblazer Mentor

Be instrumental in transforming someone’s career. Join Trailblazer Mentorship— matching seasoned Trailblazers with mentees pursuing roles within the Salesforce ecosystem.

T o keep things fresh, we’ve updated this, one of our most popular posts. See the latest version here.

Solange Che was ready for a fresh start when she moved to the U.S. in 2015. A linguist by trade, Solange had been studying for her PhD in Germany when outside factors prompted her to move to the U.S. She was ready for a new career and dove headfirst into exploring her options with Salesforce.

Armed with passion, an eagerness to learn on Trailhead, and strong self-study skills, Solange jumped right in but didn’t immediately land a role. Then, something happened that dramatically changed her career trajectory: She joined Salesforce’s Trailblazer Mentorship.

“I had always struggled with the ‘Tell me about yourself’ question in interviews. I had an aha moment when talking to Pat [her mentor]. He helped me realize my inner self and boosted my confidence.”

Four months later, Solange not only had a job, but one that she loved. For Solange, Trailblazer Mentorship gave her the confidence, coaching, and networking she needed to up her game.

Ready to make an impact

More than a thousand mentees like Solange have already benefited from the program.

Structured as a 1:1 mentor match for 30 days, Trailblazer Mentorship is an incredible opportunity for new Trailblazers looking for guidance and coaching as well as those with Salesforce experience looking to use their skillset to empower new Trailblazers.

As part of Trailblazer Connect, a program that connects Trailblazers with their next opportunity in the Salesforce ecosystem, Trailblazer Mentorship comes with a host of resources to guide mentors and help mentees develop the business skills needed to land a top job.

If you’ve ever thought about being a mentor, now is the time to apply and start to give back virtually. You don’t have to give a big commitment of time or be a master of all things Salesforce; just simply sharing your personal experience is invaluable for those starting out.

But don’t just take our word for it. Here are five reasons to take part in this transformative program, from the mouths of those who have been involved first-hand — and who have all said, “I only wish I had started sooner!”

1. Use your experience to develop talent in the Salesforce ecosystem

The Trailblazer Community is full of talented Trailblazers who really know their stuff. Imagine how valuable your experience would be to someone just starting their Salesforce journey.

“It’s not just about helping mentees find a job,” said Stacey Cogswell, Trailblazer mentor and Salesforce MVP,

“It’s about how I can help them to be the best members of the Ohana. And that includes their learning path, certification path, job, and career path — as well as their own giving back path.”

“We need more talent in the marketplace — more folks who can understand, make good decisions, and implement great systems,” said Trailblazer mentor David Carnes.

The general business knowledge you possess might seem basic to you but could be invaluable for a mentee. Plus, your Salesforce expertise and your network of incredible connections could be life-changing for them.

Mentoring someone encourages you to freshen up your skills, stay up-to-date on product releases, and even explore new ideas. It’s very much a win-win!

2. Share your passion and have fun!

As a mentor, you’ll help your mentee get a job they’re passionate about, share your network in the Trailblazer Community, support the broader Salesforce ecosystem, and have fun while doing it. David shared,

“We have to help mentees figure out what they love and then define and pursue a path toward that.”

One of the best parts about this program is how relationship-centric it is. Many mentors and mentees stay in touch after the program and make lasting relationships. Trailblazer Mentor Amber Boaz said she and her mentee even still “text each other silly memes.”

3. Give back and pay it forward

Trailblazer Mentorship is an amazing way to give back and connect virtually, using your experience and skills to help new Trailblazers find their own path within the Salesforce ecosystem. In today’s uncertain times, guidance and support from those ahead on the trail is more important than ever.

As Amber put it, “[This program was important to me] just as a human being able to give back to those who could benefit from my experience.”

“It’s up to us who are already in the Salesforce ecosystem to reach out a hand to those who could use it.”

Many mentors had mentors of their own early in their careers and are eager to help someone else. David, for example, still keeps in touch with his own mentor of 19 years.

“I realized he doesn’t ever tell me what to do, but he shares relevant experiences, talks through issues, and asks lots of open-ended questions. Often, he leads me on the path to finding my own answer to something. It’s one of the most important relationships of my life.”

4. Develop your one-on-one coaching and management skills

Trailblazer Mentorship is all about helping mentees blaze their own trails, but it also helps you hone your coaching skills. David said the variety of mentee personalities has helped him diversify his management skills.

“Not barging into the mentee/mentor relationship without some expectations of what their needs are is important.”

No two mentor-mentee connections are the same. Trailblazer Connect provides you and your mentee with all the resources you need, but it’s up to you to decide what you want your relationship to look like.

5. Amp up your communication skills

Has it been a while since you’ve had to answer the classic “Tell me about yourself” question? Trailblazer Mentorship is a great way to brush up your own story, build confidence in yourself, and practice articulating your value. As you help your mentee, you’ll also build your own personal brand.

Plus, as you’re doing mock interviews, you’ll develop your interview skills. Whether you routinely interview candidates or not, interviewing is a great skill to have. And yours will be perfectly polished the next time you find yourself speaking with a potential candidate for your team.

Become a Trailblazer Mentor

What could be more rewarding than using your expertise to help a Trailblazer discover a career they love?

Check out the Trailblazer Mentorship-Empower Future Trailblazers Virtually session on Trailhead LIVE to hear directly from mentors about their experiences.

Apply to be a mentor today. We can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make once you find your mentorship match.