Salesforce Virtual Internship Program Launch Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Date: Launch event for Salesforce Virtual Internship Program 2025
• Host: Katy Maha, Global Head Talent Initiative at Salesforce, Smartbridge
• Attendees: Over 2500 participants

Welcome Remarks

• Excitement expressed for meeting learners from across the country.
• Acknowledgment of 1000+ attendees joined initially, later reaching 2500+.

Overview of the Program

• First Cohort: This marks the first cohort for 2025.
• Program has a legacy of success over the past 3 years, with 1 lakh students skilled across 2500 colleges.
• The program includes hands-on boot camps led by industry experts.
• Offers real-world experience to become Salesforce admins and developers.

Special Features of the Program

• Launched as a virtual summer camp with best-in-class content and training.
• Collaboration with Salesforce is emphasized to provide tools, mentorship, and expertise.
• Students can earn college credits for completing the program.

Key Speakers Introduction

• Dr. Chandra Shakhar Buddha: Chief Coordinating Officer, AICD
  • Discussed the importance of hands-on experience and mentorship.
  • Highlighted the success of the program in reaching students in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
• Mr. G. Shiva Kumar: Director Trailblazer Workforce, APAC Salesforce
  • Shared the program's framework focusing on concept learning, hands-on exercises, and capstone projects.
• Mr. Yudish Yadav: India Lead, Student and Citizen Skilling Initiative at Salesforce
  • Emphasized the need for relevant skills in the job market.

Fireside Chat Highlights

• Discussion on the importance of the virtual internship program.
• Focus on bridging the gap between academia and industry.
• Importance of skill-based hiring in current job markets; companies prefer candidates with relevant skills over traditional qualifications.
• Vision to scale the program to reach millions of students in the future.

Success Stories

• Students shared experiences of overcoming challenges and succeeding through the program.
• Encouragement to utilize the Salesforce ecosystem and community.

Conclusion

• Acknowledgment of the collaborative efforts between Smartbridge, Salesforce, and AICD.
• Encouragement for students to engage actively in the program and make the most of the opportunities presented.

Next Steps

• Students will be guided on how to create Salesforce and Trailhead accounts for hands-on training.
• Emphasis on joining Slack channels for ongoing support and mentorship.
• Next session will cover user stories and data modeling.

Key Takeaways

• The program fosters real-world skills and prepares students for future job markets.
• Continuous learning and engagement with the community is vital for success.
• Hands-on experience is emphasized as a key component of learning.