Gissell Garcia - From Doubt to Doing It!

Gissell Garcia’s journey to Salesforce certification was anything but straightforward. After years of feeling stuck and doubting her abilities, she discovered the Get Force Certified and Workforce Navigators Partnership - and found not only the support and structure she needed, but also a renewed sense of confidence and joy in learning. Read how Gissell rebuilt her belief in herself, embraced her unique strengths, and is now inspiring others on their own Salesforce journeys.

A Fresh Start: How Gissell Garcia Rebuilt Her Confidence (and Had Fun Doing It) with the Workforce Navigators Programme

For nearly four years, Gissell Garcia from Florida, USA, held onto a dream: to pass her Salesforce Admin exam and finally step into the tech world to make a difference. With a background in early childhood education and a love for helping people, she knew Salesforce was the right path to combine the two. But no matter how many courses she tried or Trailhead badges she earned, something was missing.

“I just couldn’t make it all connect. I’d understand a concept one day and the next, it felt like it disappeared from my brain. I was learning constantly but felt like I was running in circles.”

But Gissell never gave up. 

Her love for learning runs deep. She’s passionate about technology that makes life easier, about solving problems, and about helping others reach their potential. And when she discovered Salesforce, she saw all of that in one place.

Learning in a Way That Celebrates Her Strengths

Everything shifted when she found Dave Massey’s Get Force Certified Admin Academy. She had already used his mock exams and loved how clearly he explained things. Then she saw a LinkedIn post about the Workforce Navigators Programme - a Salesforce initiative offering structure, scholarships, and community to people looking to enter the tech ecosystem.
She applied. She waited. And then...she got in.

“When I opened the email, I just cried. It felt like a door finally opened. Like someone believed in my potential and wanted to help me succeed.”As someone with ADHD, Gissell had always approached learning with curiosity and energy, but traditional methods didn’t always support her strengths. When her son was diagnosed, she recognised those same traits in herself. The realisation was liberating.

“I used to wonder why I couldn’t make things stick like everyone else. But now I see it differently, I’m not broken. I just learn in a way that needs clarity, connection, and structure. And that’s exactly what this programme gave me.”
A Classroom Full of Joy, Music, and Momentum

From day one, Gissell knew Dave’s course was different.

“He opens the Zoom room early and plays music - it just lifts your energy and sets the tone. Learning doesn’t feel like a chore. It feels exciting- everyone has increased energy because of how much Dave puts in himself it’s so unique and special.”

The live sessions became a highlight of her week. With interactive quizzes, real-world examples, and a strong sense of community, Gissell finally felt like she was learning with people, not just next to them.

“Dave makes you feel safe to ask anything. I once asked a question I thought was silly, and he just answered it kindly and clearly. That moment stayed with me. It gave me confidence I didn’t know I had.”

His method of grouping concepts together helped everything click. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, Gissell could see how things connected - and she actually started to enjoy the process.

“It was like taking a bite out of a perfectly layered sandwich. Everything made sense together. It was finally fun to learn again, and I’m looking forward to putting all of my expertise into practice, helping an organisation.”

Passion, Purpose, and a Clear Path Forward

Gissell’s eyes light up when she talks about what’s next. Her goal is to use Salesforce in the education space, ideally at a school, university, or nonprofit.

“I spent years in early childhood education, and I saw how much time and energy goes into just keeping things running. I want to use Salesforce to make those systems smarter, faster, and easier - so educators can focus on what really matters.”

She’s also deeply passionate about the power of data.

“When you understand your data, you can serve people better. Salesforce lets you see what’s working, what’s not, and how to improve. I want to help organisations get the most out of that.”

Already Giving Back

Even as she studies, Gissell’s already becoming a go-to resource for others.

“I’ve had people reach out on LinkedIn asking how I’m learning, and I love sharing what’s worked for me. I even put together a little guide. It’s just who I am - I want to help others succeed too.”

She plans to sign up for mentorship through Workforce Navigators and dreams of one day mentoring others herself.

“There’s something really beautiful about lifting each other up. That’s what this programme has done for me - and I want to pass that on.”

Gissell’s Message to Others

“If you’ve struggled to learn Salesforce or felt stuck, please don’t give up. Sometimes you just need a different approach -one that celebrates how you learn best. The Workforce Navigators Programme and Dave’s Academy gave me the support, the belief, and the structure I needed. And now? I know I’m capable of achieving this. I can feel it and I’m excited to take my exam in a few weeks!