Salesforce Developer Portfolio

From User to Certified Developer Journey

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About Me

Salesforce user transitioning to developer role. Committed to 5-8 hours daily learning, building real projects, and earning Platform Developer I certification.

Featured Project: FilmClub Application 🎬

A full-stack Salesforce implementation designed to bridge the gap between business logic and the cinema experience.

• OMDb API Integration: A custom Screen Flow that dynamically fetches IMDb metadata directly into Salesforce.
• Media Command Center: A Netflix-style Home Page UI featuring visual posters and curated collections. Autonomous Support: An Agentforce Service Agent that manages member RSVPs and movie FAQs.
• View Project Details

Table of Contents

1. Learning Goals & Context
2. 8-Week Accelerated Roadmap
3. Free Resources Stack
4. Hour 1: Apex Fundamentals
5. Practice Challenges Completed
6. Next Steps

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Learning Goals & Context

My Situation

• Background: Understand Salesforce platform from an Admin and user perspective with very less hands-on programming/dev experience
• Goal: Land a Salesforce Developer role in 2 months
• Commitment: 5-8 hours/day, every day (280-450 hours total)
• Certification Target: Platform Developer I
• Budget: Focus on Force ($20) + PD-I Cert fee ($200) = $220 total

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8-Week Accelerated Roadmap

Week 1: Apex Fundamentals (35-56 hours)

• Days 1-2: Variables, data types, operators, conditionals
• Days 3-4: Loops, collections (List, Set, Map)
• Days 5-6: Methods, classes, object-oriented concepts
• Day 7: Build mini-project #1 (simple utility class)

Week 2: SOQL, DML & Governor Limits (35-56 hours)

• Days 1-2: SOQL queries (basic to advanced)
• Days 3-4: DML operations, bulkification patterns
• Days 5-6: Governor limits deep dive (THE most tested topic)
• Day 7: Build mini-project #2 (data loader utility)

Week 3: Triggers & Framework (35-56 hours)

• Days 1-3: Trigger fundamentals, context variables, order of execution
• Days 4-5: Trigger framework patterns (handler classes)
• Days 6-7: Build portfolio project #1 (real-world trigger with handler)

Week 4: Testing & Debugging (35-56 hours)

• Days 1-3: Test class fundamentals, test data, assertions
• Days 4-5: Advanced testing (test setup, mock data)
• Days 6-7: Add comprehensive tests to all your projects

Week 5: Asynchronous Apex (35-56 hours)

• Days 1-2: Future methods
• Day 3: Queueable Apex
• Days 4-5: Batch Apex
• Days 6-7: Build portfolio project #2 (batch job or complex async process)

Week 6: Integration & Advanced Topics (35-56 hours)

• Days 1-3: REST/SOAP callouts, HTTP classes
• Days 4-5: Custom metadata, platform events, or LWC basics
• Days 6-7: Build portfolio project #3 (integration or full CRUD app)

Week 7: Platform Dev I Cert Prep (35-56 hours)

• Days 1-5: Focus Practice Exams, weak areas, trailhead modules
• Days 6-7: Take the Platform Dev I exam

Week 8: Interview Prep & Job Applications (35-56 hours)

• Days 1-3: Common coding challenges, whiteboard practice
• Days 4-5: Resume polish, LinkedIn optimization, portfolio showcase
• Days 6-7: Start applying, practice interviews

Daily Study Structure (5-8 hours)

• Hours 1-3: Learn new concepts (tutorials, documentation, Claude lessons)
• Hours 3-5: Hands-on coding in Dev Org (write, test, break, fix)
• Hours 6-7: Build projects, review what you learned
• Hour 8: Trailhead modules for cert prep (if doing 8 hours)

Expected Outcomes by Week 8

• ✅ Platform Dev I certification
• ✅ 3 solid portfolio projects on GitHub
• ✅ 200+ hours of actual coding experience
• ✅ Interview-ready knowledge of triggers, testing, async Apex
• ✅ Strong shot at landing first Salesforce Developer role

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Free Resources Stack

Primary Learning Resources (All Free)

1. Claude (My AI Tutor)

• Custom code examples and exercises
• Progressive difficulty (easy → medium → hard)
• Real-world scenarios for interview prep
• Commented code explaining every line
• Daily lesson plans and guidance
• Code reviews and debugging help
• Interview prep materials

2. Salesforce Official Resources

• Trailhead - Salesforce's learning platform (completely free)
  • Apex basics modules
  • Platform Dev I cert prep trails
  • Hands-on challenges in practice orgs
• Apex Developer Guide - Official documentation
• Trailblazer Community - Forums for questions

3. YouTube Channels (Free)

• Salesforce Developers - Official channel
• David Liu's Apex Hours - Excellent free tutorials
• Salesforce Hulk - Lots of Apex examples
• Automation Champion - Trigger frameworks

4. Community Resources (Free)

• Salesforce Stack Exchange - Q&A community
• GitHub - Study other people's Apex code
• Salesforce Developer Blog - Free articles and patterns

5. Practice Platforms (Free)

• Dev Org (unlimited practice environment)
• Trailhead Playground orgs (fresh orgs for exercises)

Paid Resources (Required)

• Focus on Force practice exams: ~$20
• Platform Dev I exam fee: $200
• Total Budget: $220

What Claude Will Provide

1. Custom Code Examples & Exercises

   • Working Apex code for Dev Org
   • Progressive exercises for each topic
   • Real-world interview scenarios
   • Fully commented beginner-friendly code

2. Practice Projects with Solutions

   • Weekly mini-projects with step-by-step guidance
   • 3 portfolio-worthy projects (trigger framework, batch job, integration)
   • GitHub-ready code with documentation
   • Test classes included

3. Concept Explanations & Guides

   • Plain-English breakdowns of complex topics
   • Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
   • Analogies for understanding new concepts

4. Interview Prep Materials

   • Common Apex coding challenges with solutions
   • Expected interview questions with strong answers
   • Code review practice
   • Whiteboard problem walkthroughs

5. Cert Study Support

   • Platform Dev I exam topic explanations
   • Practice questions and clarifications
   • Help with Trailhead modules
   • Last-minute review materials

6. Debugging & Code Reviews

   • Error fixing and explanations
   • Code optimization suggestions
   • Project reviews before portfolio addition

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