After a career in hybrid HR/operations roles, pivoting to a pure HR role in 2022 made me keenly aware how much I miss the world of Salesforce (and the NPSP/the joys and challenges of nonprofit work.) Not only do I miss having a job that aligns with my goals, but I'm also missing out on valuable Salesforce experience and updates. While I'm still working on passing the Administrator exam and securing a Salesforce Manager or Administrator role, I'm also hoping to hasten my return to a Salesforce environment. I'd love to hear about your experiences securing a non-administrator role at an organization using Salesforce, then later pivoting into an administrator position, and what steps did you take during this process?
Piyusha Pilania (Implementology) 
Forum Ambassador
@Becky McAuley If you have already served as a deafult Salesforce admin, I don't think you need to go for the associate cert. You can directly jump into Salesforce admin trails.
Helpful things to get started
Free admin training: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKol1bbq3LQ&list=PLaGX-30v1lh15d279fyH1bhJXPIboHuRE
Salesforce flows: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to6Mz_J2d9w&list=PLWgzSrReOBh5grf3Rf7xx6FLdddkK9nZ6
- Trailmixes: Prepare for Your Salesforce Administrator Credential | Admin Beginner
- Trail: Study for the Administrator Certification Exam
- Practice Test: Administrator Practice Test
- Superbadge: Lightning Experience Reports & Dashboards Specialist
- Superbadge: Business Administration Specialist
- Superbadge: Security Specialist
- Exam Guide: Outline
You can join these groups:
https://trailhead.salesforce.com/trailblazer-community/groups/0F930000000XZBtCAO
https://trailhead.salesforce.com/trailblazer-community/groups/0F9300000001oVpCAI
https://trailhead.salesforce.com/trailblazer-community/groups/0F9300000009NGiCAM
Also, complete as many practice tests as possible before the exam.
Find yourself a study buddy, if possible.
Create a dev org and get some hands-on experience.
