New York, NY, United States
Meet Umair Ilyas, Salesforce MVP, Community Group Leader, and Salesforce World Tour New York Golden Hoodie recipient, December 2017.
A Trailblazer is someone who understands that reaching out for help is half of the equation for success.
How did you get started with Salesforce?
My first job in this industry was as a Salesforce Administrator for a small nonprofit organization. I was hired with zero Salesforce experience—my background was in education and nonprofits, engaging students in community service, and helping build schools abroad. Even though I had no Salesforce experience, I brought my strong people skills, willingness to learn, and courage to make mistakes to the table. And oh did I make mistakes as a new admin: building in production, accidentally emailing 300+ contacts, forgetting to back up data, and a few others!
Has Trailhead ever taught you something you can directly attribute to a success at work or life?
I absolutely love Trailhead, and not just for all that you can learn about the Salesforce Platform. What I love are the trails that focus on the soft skills, such as the Culture of Feedback trail. As a manager, this trail has helped me practice giving feedback to others in a meaningful and authentic way. As a father and educator, this trail has helped me create a stronger and more open connection with my children and students I interact with.
How do you pay it forward to inspire the next generation of Trailblazers?
As a Salesforce MVP and Community Group Leader, I love helping inspire and train the next generation of Trailblazers. I love volunteering my time and experience at PepUp Tech, COOP, and even Trailhead for Students—all events that help college students learn Salesforce through various classes and boot camps.
What message do you have for new Trailblazers?
Show up. Whether it’s a local Community Group meeting, a conversation on Twitter, or a virtual Salesforce training class, show up and become part of the conversation. You’re a part of our group.
What does being a Trailblazer mean to you?
To me, being a Trailblazer means going above and beyond and then some more. A Trailblazer is someone who understands that reaching out for help is half of the equation for success. The other half is stepping up and doing this for others! One of the things I’ve mentioned to the communities I work for is, “Find a mentor, be a mentor.” You’re not alone in this journey, so ask for help and also provide help—we’re all in this together!