Being an employee at a Salesforce agency, it can be challenging to set your own path. But it is possible!
When you’re just beginning your Salesforce career, it makes sense to accept all kinds of work. The more exposure you have to a wide range of clients and clouds will only make you better.
Be open to tackling easy clients, challenging ones, and ones that think they know what they are going but really have no clue. The last group are the most fun, or at least make for some great stories 🙂
The same for accepting any cloud, or any industry. The goal is to soak up as much knowledge as possible, and working at an agency provides that exposure.
After a few years, you should see patterns emerging. Types of clients you prefer working with. Types of projects you favor over others. This process will guide you to a narrowing of your interests.
Then have an honest conversation with your manager. Tell them whom you’d prefer working with. Tell them you’re trying to specialize. Tell them you’d rather be an expert in a couple of industries/clouds than knowledgeable in all of them.
If you have a good manager, they will understand and do their best to help you. You may not always have a choice, but you’ve stated your interests and will attract the kind of work you prefer.
The takeaway
Specializing while working as an employee isn’t easy. But being transparent and declarative about your interests and looking for work in your desired specialization is the first step.