Getting Into Tech:
4 Junior Consultants Spill All

From running vintage clothing websites to chemistry degrees to creative media and seemingly everything in between, our Junior Consultants come from a variety of backgrounds. But there’s something they all have in common – they love the fast-paced, hands-on learning experience they’re experiencing here at Simpala.

Meet Ibrahim Giwa, Joshua Okpala, Vivya Nkonjera, and Pearse Byrne.

Since joining Simpala over the last year, we thought it was time to introduce them and find out what it’s really like to join a new industry and take on a new role – what’s the phrase, baptism by fire?

Let’s dive in…

Tell us about your experience of joining a new industry, and learning about your role

Ibrahim:

“It’s been fast-paced – you pretty much have to learn on the job. At first, there’s a wall of anxiousness when it comes to a new project but you quickly contextualise it and in a jigsaw kind of way, you work it out.

Learning from experienced and talented colleagues has been the most helpful part of the process. As part of that, I’ve been quickly asking the team questions and learning how to complete parts of a project on the fly. With the team’s support, everything comes together.

It’s definitely ‘fast-tracked learning’, and there’s a lot of exhilaration and excitement in this approach. I work well under pressure so I prefer to be thrown in the deep end and either drown or survive. So far, I’m surviving!”

Pearse:

“Whilst my experience since joining was similarly fast-paced, I started with a smaller team so I had fewer people to learn from. Salesforce is so vast it can feel intimidating, but there are always new features and new things to learn, so the goal of ‘completing it’ doesn’t really exist.

There are lots of resources online to learn from, and as the team grows I’m getting new insights from everyone. On some projects I am learning new processes and experimenting with ways to do things, other times if we have a tight schedule I’m just getting the job done most efficiently.”

Joshua:

“Joining the tech industry has been an exciting challenge. It’s a lot to take in at first, with so many new concepts, systems, and ways of working. However, the hands-on approach at Simpala has made it easier to grasp things quickly.

I’ve found that diving into real projects early on has been the most effective way to learn. At first, it felt overwhelming, but breaking down each task and asking questions as I go has helped me build confidence. The support from my colleagues has been invaluable—everyone is willing to share their knowledge and offer guidance when needed.

There’s definitely a steep learning curve, but I enjoy the pace and the sense of accomplishment that comes with figuring things out in a real-world setting.”

Vivya:

“Jumping into the world of Salesforce consultancy has been a welcome challenge! Coming from roles where I’ve focused primarily on the marketing automation needs of one business, I’ve had to quickly adapt to working with multiple clients across various industries.

With each new client presenting a unique set of requirements and challenges, the workload has been kept dynamic, enabling me to stay engaged and accelerate my growth.”

What challenges have you faced/overcome? What surprised you?

Pearse:

“One of the biggest challenges I faced on a project with Ibrahim, was with a client who didn’t fully understand what they had signed up for. On a week-to-week basis, we would make changes to the customisation and the following week the client would request something different.

It was difficult for us as we hadn’t experienced that before and we didn’t know how best to deal with it. The advice Dan and David gave was to spend time with the client to understand the core needs and be firm about what the client has paid and signed up for so that it’s fair on both sides. Managing client expectations and project creep has definitely been a learning curve.”

Ibrahim:

“Another, similar challenge for me has been with clients who don’t understand the full capabilities of Salesforce. Teams end up asking the same questions over and over, using up their budget and the time of our team.

Having a very clear discovery process, with follow-up confirmation of what’s included in their project, but also what else is possible within Salesforce will help this.”

Joshua:

“One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is adapting to the fast-changing nature of projects. Sometimes requirements evolve rapidly, and it can be tough to keep up while ensuring everything is done correctly when working on multiple projects.

What surprised me most is how much problem-solving is involved. It’s not just about technical skills; it’s about understanding business needs and coming up with practical solutions. I’ve learned that being flexible and open to change is just as important as having the right technical knowledge.

A key lesson for me has been the importance of communication—making sure I fully understand client expectations and keeping everyone aligned throughout the process to avoid surprises down the line.”

Vivya:

“One major challenge I’ve faced is transitioning from Adobe Campaign to Salesforce/Account Engagement. Adapting to a new platform while working with multiple clients across various industries has meant I’ve had to quickly learn Salesforce’s extensive feature set and its impressive third-party integration capabilities.

This shift has pushed me to expand my skills, stay agile, and effectively tailor solutions to meet diverse client needs.”

What would you say to others looking to start a career in tech?

Ibrahim:

“I would say, just get started. Especially when it comes to any qualifications like AI specialist – this is the direction so many careers and roles are headed. If you can get into tech and also learn about being an AI prompter or an expert in AI-led tools then you’ll be ahead of the curve. Save yourself the stress of potentially being replaced by the tool and just get ahead of it now.”

Pearse:

“For me, it’s all about being happy in your team. It’s been a good experience for me because our team is helpful and encourages learning. Like we’ve said we have to work fast, but it’s a lot easier when you have people around helping you, taking the time to teach and giving you the opportunities to do so.”

Joshua:

“My advice would be to stay curious and proactive. Tech is constantly evolving, so the more you’re willing to learn and adapt, the better off you’ll be.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and lean on your team for support—there’s so much knowledge to tap into if you’re open to it. Also, take advantage of online resources and certifications; they can give you a solid foundation and boost your confidence when starting out.

Most importantly, embrace challenges as part of the learning process. It’s okay to not know everything at once—what matters is your willingness to figure it out and keep improving.”

Vivya:

“If you’re starting a career in tech, focus on continuous self-improvement, as the industry evolves rapidly. Research growing trends like AI and cloud computing to stay ahead, and specialise in a niche to increase your value in a competitive job market.

Hands-on experience through personal or business projects, open-source contributions, and networking will further set you apart.”

 

If you’re interested in starting a career in technology, keep an eye out on our LinkedIn page for any upcoming roles.

Fancy a chat?