Lacy is a graduate of the Foundry College Tulsa program and earned a credentialed certificate as a Salesforce Administrator.
How long have you lived in Tulsa?
I grew up just a few minutes outside of Tulsa, so I have lived in the area my entire life.
What was your motivation for earning your credentialed certificate?
Two reasons – professional skills and Salesforce – and those reasons came together perfectly. I was changing industries and realized this was a great time for me to take the professional skills courses. Meanwhile, I had started Trailhead and gotten lost along the trail. So when I saw the combination of the professional skills courses plus the Salesforce Administrator credential, I knew it was a great opportunity for me since it was what I was trying to learn.
What are your career goals, and how will your credentialed certificate help you achieve those goals?
I had this whole idea of what my life and career would look like, and then one day I woke up and realized that I had become bored and wanted to learn something new. I’d never even looked outside of the industry I’d been in and decided I needed a change. I want to be open to learning and trying different things, and I want to figure out ways to use my talent for good. Ultimately, I want to do something that, sitting here today, I can’t even imagine.
How will your credentialed certificate help you achieve your career goals?
In the short-term, I want to help my current employer, a non-profit organization, maximize their marketing campaigns and existing data to their advantage with real-time reporting and more. The credential courses are already helping me achieve that, since every single class has something that I can use in my job, helping me to meet and exceed our goals. Ideally, I want to help other area nonprofits through networking in the Salesforce community.
What would you say to someone who is considering the program?
If you are interested in filling up your toolbox with useful skills and knowledge, whether in a current job or a future one, this program is for you. Making the time commitment to the program pays off in the long run as you improve your skills and become more productive.
What has been your favorite part of the program?
The time that I spend with my coach has been invaluable, especially as I navigate this industry transition where there are gaps in nuances, communication and cultures between the two. Her encouragement and support have helped me in my courses and in my job, and she challenges me to be mindful of my thinking as I am making decisions.
What has been the most helpful part of the program?
The Salesforce classes have been so helpful, because every day I come to work with something I can tweak, fix, or improve in the instance that I have built. Just as helpful has been the time with my coach. She helped me to be brave after only having seven weeks in the office before being transitioned to working from home. She also helped keep me motivated and open to opportunities that may not look like those I was expecting to experience.
Can you share any advice on how to manage your time between work, school, and life?
This was definitely the question I was asking myself before I started the program. I was the type to stay late at work and wouldn’t commit to anything else because of that. You have to make that commitment and just do it. That’s what your coach is there to help you with. My coach helped me a lot with preparation and the small details, particularly with some time management practices that I needed to be successful. If you make the commitment and you are serious about it, you can do this.
Interview conducted by Karen Adams, Chief Marketing Officer at Foundry College. To nominate someone for the Foundry College Student Spotlight, email kadams@foundrycollege.org.
