Travis McNair - Biology Ecosystems to the Salesforce Ecosystem
Meet Travis McNair - a biologist by training who found himself at a crossroads when life threw him a curveball. Embracing a fresh challenge, he dove headfirst into the Salesforce ecosystem and, in just 24 hours after completing Get Force Certified’s Admin Academy, passed his Salesforce Administrator certification on his very first try. His journey is a powerful reminder that with grit, curiosity, and the right support, anyone can pivot into a tech career.
Travis McNair - A Success Story
Travis McNair didn’t plan to change careers. He was studying biology, preparing to take the GRE and MCAT with dreams of becoming a doctor. But when life took an unexpected turn, with his father becoming seriously ill and later passing away, and Travis and his fiancée welcoming their baby son, everything shifted.
“School went on the back burner,” Travis shared. “I began working in retail logistics using Salesforce every day as an end user, and I kept thinking... there’s so much more this platform can do, I have to know more!”
With a new family to support and a career pivot on the horizon, Travis was looking for a way to break into the Salesforce ecosystem. As Travis was a keen learner but someone who suffered with ADD, he found that self-paced online courses felt overwhelming. “It was all too nuanced, too deep, too fast. Like a mile wide and a mile deep, which caused me to feel anxious as sometimes the teachers would be going off in multiple directions it was so confusing ” he said. “I needed something different, that would match my learning style, pace and motivation for keeping things real-world.”
“School went on the back burner,” Travis shared. “I began working in retail logistics using Salesforce every day as an end user, and I kept thinking... there’s so much more this platform can do, I have to know more!”
With a new family to support and a career pivot on the horizon, Travis was looking for a way to break into the Salesforce ecosystem. As Travis was a keen learner but someone who suffered with ADD, he found that self-paced online courses felt overwhelming. “It was all too nuanced, too deep, too fast. Like a mile wide and a mile deep, which caused me to feel anxious as sometimes the teachers would be going off in multiple directions it was so confusing ” he said. “I needed something different, that would match my learning style, pace and motivation for keeping things real-world.”
That’s when he discovered Dave Massey’s Get Force Certified Admin Academy through a post on LinkedIn. Travis applied for a scholarship and was one of the first selected for a place on the Workforce Navigators–funded program. “It was a huge gift to our family.”
“Just a couple of years prior, we’d just had our baby, daycare costs were like paying a second rent, and everything felt stretched,” he said. “The course simply wouldn’t have been an option without the scholarship. However, when that email arrived from Dave, I felt a massive wave of relief. Like... maybe things were about to change in a hugely positive way, and I was so grateful to the Workforce Navigators Team for the opportunity.”
In a year marked by personal loss, including the death of his father and two other close family members, the scholarship became a sign of hope.
“It was the first truly positive thing that had happened in a long time. It reminded me that good things can still happen,” Travis said. “It gave me the chance to breathe again. To believe we could move forward. It’s hard to put into words, but this really was a turning point for me having given up my medical career to take care of my father and family- it was like a huge second chance.”
“Just a couple of years prior, we’d just had our baby, daycare costs were like paying a second rent, and everything felt stretched,” he said. “The course simply wouldn’t have been an option without the scholarship. However, when that email arrived from Dave, I felt a massive wave of relief. Like... maybe things were about to change in a hugely positive way, and I was so grateful to the Workforce Navigators Team for the opportunity.”
In a year marked by personal loss, including the death of his father and two other close family members, the scholarship became a sign of hope.
“It was the first truly positive thing that had happened in a long time. It reminded me that good things can still happen,” Travis said. “It gave me the chance to breathe again. To believe we could move forward. It’s hard to put into words, but this really was a turning point for me having given up my medical career to take care of my father and family- it was like a huge second chance.”
Practical LearningNow, seven weeks into the 10-week course, Travis is thriving. “It’s been truly incredible. I’ve spent years trying to learn Salesforce on my own, and Dave has made it feel accessible. I feel truly blessed.
"The course is structured with two live meetings each week with my classmates and a full library of on-demand videos that Travis can fit around his schedule. “Some videos are just two minutes, others are thirty. That’s the beauty of it, it gives you what you need, when you need it. You can build your knowledge around your lifestyle.
”Whether he’s loading the dishwasher, walking to daycare, or up late after work, Travis can absorb the content in ways that suit his life. “Sometimes I’ll rewatch the live sessions, then take notes and rewrite them. Other times I’ll dip into a quick video just to refresh my memory. That flexibility has made a huge difference.
”Dave’s teaching style is also a game-changer. “He doesn’t just give you textbook definitions. He gives you real-world context which makes sense, he could literally teach anyone. Why you build something a certain way. What to avoid. It’s practical, it sticks.”
"The course is structured with two live meetings each week with my classmates and a full library of on-demand videos that Travis can fit around his schedule. “Some videos are just two minutes, others are thirty. That’s the beauty of it, it gives you what you need, when you need it. You can build your knowledge around your lifestyle.
”Whether he’s loading the dishwasher, walking to daycare, or up late after work, Travis can absorb the content in ways that suit his life. “Sometimes I’ll rewatch the live sessions, then take notes and rewrite them. Other times I’ll dip into a quick video just to refresh my memory. That flexibility has made a huge difference.
”Dave’s teaching style is also a game-changer. “He doesn’t just give you textbook definitions. He gives you real-world context which makes sense, he could literally teach anyone. Why you build something a certain way. What to avoid. It’s practical, it sticks.”
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Real Projects and Real ProgressEach week, students are given mini-briefs that mirror real-world Salesforce projects. “You don’t get told what to click or where to go,” Travis explained. “It forces you to go back to notes, dig into help docs, and figure things out like you would in a real job. It’s just enough to push you, and I love that.”
Travis is engaging with classmates through Slack and a unique 24/7 Zoom classroom where students can study together. “It feels like a perfect introduction to the ecosystem. Everyone’s so collaborative. And we even compete on quizzes, it’s actually fun to learn.
"Sometimes classmates say, ‘I’ll be in the Zoom Classroom 7-8 PM if anyone wants to study?’ and a bunch of my class all get together on Dave’s virtual classroom and test each other and share notes. It’s amazing to see.”
A New Career, A New Outlook
Travis is still working full-time in retail logistics using Salesforce, but the course is helping him see the platform and his future in a whole new way. “We’re using maybe 10% of what Salesforce can do at my job. I’ve already started talking to my managers about changes we could make thanks to what this course has taught me.
”His long-term goal? Consulting. “I love to problem solve, which is why I originally wanted to be a doctor. I’d like to start as an Admin, gain experience, and eventually become a Salesforce Consultant. I have thought about even specialising in medical services or public sector work, something where my background in biology could give me an edge.”
More than anything, Travis is focused on creating a career that allows his family to thrive. “This program has opened the door to a future I couldn’t imagine just a few months ago. I’m building something meaningful for my family, and it finally feels possible.”
For anyone thinking about joining the Get Force Certified Academy
Travis has a clear message:“This is where you belong. I’ve been trying to break into the ecosystem for years and it felt impossible. Dave opened a huge door. He made it feel like home which I am so grateful for!
Dave is an amazing teacher and makes every session so fun, even with his dad jokes! I look forward to seeing where this class goes with all of their certs in the future, as I am already planning my next two after the Admin! This has been the highlight of my year and such a blessing!
Thanks Dave and the Workforce Navigators programme!”
Travis passed the Salesforce Administrator Certification exam on his very first attempt!
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