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How College Helped An Accessibility Specialist At Salesforce Succeed

Haley's undergraduate experience as a teaching assistant solidified a "cycle of learning and teaching," a method applied throughout their career as an Accessibility Specialist at Salesforce. This involved reinforcing learned material, like accessibility and inclusive design concepts, by sharing knowledge with colleagues through various methods, keeping their skills sharp and career engaging.

Communication, Teaching, Knowledge Retention, Inclusive Design, Accessibility

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Haley Shust

Accessibility Specialist

Salesforce

Elon University, 2015

Masters of Education in Curriculum & Instruction (focus: Digital learning); University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Biology & Related Sciences

Technology

Education

Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member

Video Highlights

1. Actively participate in teaching and learning opportunities (like being a teaching assistant) to reinforce your knowledge and improve retention.

2. Share your knowledge with others by creating materials such as Slack messages, videos, or job aids.

3. Continuously learn and stay updated on new developments in your field to remain competitive and engaged in your work.

Transcript

What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?

I thrived in the cycle of learning and teaching. Anytime you have a chance to learn something new, one of the best things you can do to reinforce that knowledge and maintain it is to teach it back to other people.

I learned that very early on as a teacher's assistant. That's why I was able to make it through tough classes like organic chemistry as a biology major: by being a teaching assistant, I had to review the material multiple times and then communicate it back to others.

That process really helps with retention. I've applied the same sort of things within my role now as I learn about accessibility-related content and inclusive design. I always take that opportunity to write it down via a Slack message or a quick video to colleagues, or a job aid that I can share.

The simple action of taking what you've learned, applying it elsewhere, and making that knowledge available to others is absolutely how I've continued to enjoy this career. It keeps it interesting, it keeps it fresh, and ensures that I'm always on the cutting edge of whatever's new.

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