Making the leap from campus to your first professional role is an incredible milestone. Our new grad program is designed to make that journey a success, providing the roadmap and supportive community you need to thrive. Join us as we share the real-world experiences and inspiring stories of recent graduates who are navigating their first jobs and making a real impact.
If you’re preparing to join us soon, consider this your guide to navigating the world of ✨ Salesforce. ✨
“You’ve already done the hard work by earning your degree and putting yourself in the position to land the job. Trust yourself and your abilities!”
– Rebecca Hampton (center), Software Engineering AMTS, AMER
Meet Our New Grads
Before we proceed, meet the new grads whose insights are featured in this blog.
The New Grad Program: The ‘Why’ Behind It
Why does Salesforce offer a dedicated New Grad program? The answer lies in recognizing the multifaceted nature of transitioning from academia to a professional environment. For many of you, this may be the starting point of your career. Much like Victoria Acuna, our Sales Development Representative in Buenos Aires, Argentina(LATAM).
“Starting this role was a completely new experience for me—it was my first job, so everything felt unfamiliar at first. The initial months were definitely challenging, but I’m grateful I stepped out of my comfort zone and embraced it.“
– Victoria Acuna, Sales Development Representative, LATAM
Clearly, a first job is rarely just about the work itself; it often coincides with a period of significant personal and practical adjustments.
“Transitioning from academic life to full-time work was definitely a challenge. To deliver high-quality results consistently, I needed to plan, prioritize, and execute better. It was a demanding adjustment, especially when balancing academic, personal, and professional responsibilities, but with discipline and determination, I was able to find a rhythm that worked.”
– Omar Herrera Ochoa, Sales Development Representative, LATAM
This transition involves navigating new responsibilities and developing essential life skills. These can include:
- Managing personal finances
- Developing professional relationships
- Integrating work and personal life
“One thing I found challenging at first was getting used to the structure of a full-time job after the flexibility of college life. It was definitely an adjustment juggling meetings, new information, and staying on top of everything. What really helped was creating a routine, asking for help when I needed it, and not being afraid to say I was still learning.”
– Rosie Donaldson, Sales Development Representative, EMEA
The New Grad program acknowledges these challenges and provides targeted support to facilitate a smoother transition.
While it can initially feel overwhelming, you are not alone in this. Like Omar, Keshav, Jayant, and many of our new grads, you will only come out of this a more confident professional. We make sure of that. 😏🤝
“The Futureforce sessions revolved around the concerns any new grad would face when transitioning to corporate. Building one’s personal brand, figuring out one’s finances, and the wellness sessions. These gave us simple yet effective advice on how to navigate the start of our careers.”
– Jayant Panwar, Software Engineering AMTS, APAC
Through sessions on financial planning, mindfulness, professional development, and other key areas, the program aims to equip new graduates with the tools and confidence to thrive in their careers.
“I used the Futureforce sessions to absorb as much advice as I could. It’s important to take these as a point of reference and learning and not as a set of rules. Mixing these insights with your own personal research and understanding is what helps best!”
– Keshav Marodia, Software Engineering AMTS, APAC
The Onboarding Experience
First impressions are key, and we prioritize setting you up for success from day one. Our onboarding program provides a comprehensive introduction to your career at Salesforce, outlining what to expect and how to thrive.
Featuring events that allow you to connect with leaders and alumni, explore the forefront of AI and emerging technologies, and build strong team bonds—all while enjoying fantastic food and company of course! It’s where you begin to navigate the professional landscape, connect with your cohort, and acquire the foundational knowledge for your journey.
“When I think of onboarding, a few events popped out to me: the new grad cooking event, the very first meeting in San Francisco where all the new grads from different disciplines were together, the “How to 10x Impact with Storytelling.” and of course the VTO (Volunteer Time Off) event where we created cards for seniors holds a special place in my heart.”
– Crystal McIntosh, Software Engineering AMTS, AMER
Building strong peer relationships is another crucial aspect of onboarding. Joanne’s insights highlight the importance of these connections in navigating the early stages of a career.
“The initial apprehension you harbor within yourself is inevitable when it comes to the awareness that everyone around you is more experienced. Successfully integrating into the workplace requires nuance, and building relationships with peers who are also navigating this transition is extremely important.”
– Joanne Panicker, Technical Writing Associate Analyst, APAC
Onboarding, therefore, serves as both an introduction to the professional sphere and an opportunity to establish a valuable support network.
Supporting New Grads Beyond Week 1
During the first 100 days of a new grad’s first year at Salesforce, they’re invited to a series of targeted sessions addressing key aspects of navigating the professional landscape.
These sessions go beyond the basics, focusing on equipping new graduates with essential life and career skills.
“The Futureforce sessions gave me so many practical tools and knowledge to hit the ground running. The energy and openness of the community here made it easy to feel like part of something bigger.”
– Artin Abiri, Graduate Rotation Program, EMEA
By addressing these common concerns, the sessions aim to accelerate professional growth and foster long-term success.
“One session in particular helped me create a concrete growth plan, which I still refer back to. I really appreciate that Salesforce puts such a strong emphasis on personal development—it makes me feel like the company truly invests in our future.”
– Alexandra Roberts, Sales Development Representative, EMEA
Driving Innovation and Impact
A significant turning point in the new grad experience is the transition from observer to active contributor. This is when individuals begin to own projects, drive innovation, and recognize their ability to make a tangible difference within the organization.
Aarchi’s experience provides a compelling illustration of this. Reflecting on her contributions, she notes:
“The feature I was working on is now being used in demos and UX showcases — it’s everywhere! And I got to own it end-to-end. That felt pretty awesome.”
“I recently worked on creating in-app content focused on AI credit usage. The aim? Empower customers leveraging AI features with clear and accessible information to their credit usage. It was gratifying to collaborate across clouds to drive transparency in the user experience, a cornerstone of trust being Salesforce’s #1 value.”
– Annie Huang in front of the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco
Saathwik’s contributions offer a longer-term perspective:
“Now that I’ve been 12 months into the company. The inspection tools I’ve designed and implemented are widely used across every Sales team in India.”
– Saathwik Godela, Emerging Business Leader, APAC
These narratives collectively demonstrate that new graduates bring valuable skills and perspectives, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to innovation and drive positive change within the organization.
Your Epic Journey Awaits
So, you’re standing at the starting line of your career. Take a deep breath, remember the lessons from those who’ve gone before you, and get ready for an incredible adventure. Our new grad program is here to help you along your journey.
“To thrive here, you need to embrace change. Stay curious, and be ready to learn—every single day. Whether it’s exploring new industries, mastering cutting-edge solutions, or discovering better ways to create impact, there’s always something new waiting for you.”
– José Luis Alvarez, Associate, Account SE, LATA
To learn more about José’s journey at Salesforce check out his path to senior engineer here.
“Dive in head first!”—this is what Annie Huang (Content Designer, AMER) said when we asked what her advice would be to upcoming new grads. We couldn’t agree more! ✅
“Take initiative. Be curious, ask questions, and go beyond what’s expected of you. That mindset will help you grow faster and get noticed by your leaders, teammates, and others across the company.”
– Victoria Acuna, Sales Development Representative, LATAM
Your journey may also be “purposeful,” “empowering,” and yeah, probably a little “erratic” at times. But that’s what makes it your story.
Making the leap from campus to your first professional role is an incredible milestone. Our new grad program is designed to make that journey a success, providing the roadmap and supportive community you need to thrive. Join us as we share the real-world experiences and inspiring stories of recent graduates who are navigating their first jobs and making a real impact.
Blaze your trail to Salesforce!
Ready to embark on your own journey at the #1 AI CRM as an intern or a grad? Don’t miss the chance to be a part of — Futureforce, a best-in-class university recruiting program — check out our website and apply for open roles.
