Apprentice to Tech Admin – Luis Salazar’s Story

Luis Salazar has spent over a decade in the tech industry, earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from MIT’s Sloan School of Management, working on projects for Fortune 500 companies, and consulting. Though it wasn’t until a few years ago that Luis realized he needed to find work that aligned with both his passions and disabilities.

Luis has Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – a chronic heart condition that doesn’t affect his day-to-day but something he needs to stay mindful of. After encouragement from his wife and some fellow neurodivergent mentors, Luis set out to pursue a career with Salesforce, the industry-leading, cloud-based customer relationship management program (CRM). What sold him? “Salesforce makes knowledge available to anybody. Anybody can come in, learn their programs, and participate if they try. It levels the playing field,” said Luis on what initially caught his attention about the company. “The commitment I saw from them to support people through their accessibility programs was huge. Their impact and innovation are betting on the future of work, augmented by agentic AI. Not to replace individuals, but to collaborate and enhance the way people work.”

Forging a New Path with BIT

With this new trajectory in mind and the role of Salesforce Administrator as the goal, Luis started looking into resources that could further his aspirations and accommodate needs related to his disabilities. That’s when he discovered Blind Institute of Technology (BIT). BIT, an organization dedicated to matching professionals with disabilities to competitive jobs through recruiting, training, and career development services, offered several programs that could prepare him for a future role with Salesforce.

In 2023, Luis was diligent, studying on his own and working alongside BIT to secure Salesforce-specific certifications through Salesforce’s Workforce Navigators and BIT’s Career Launchpad programs. During this time, he participated in projects that benefitted mission-driven and educational organizations – solidifying his passion for using his tech skills to benefit others. He even won first place in BIT’s Salesforce Demo Org Competition, using Salesforce tools to creatively streamline operations for a hypothetical coffee roasting business.

When BIT received a Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) grant that would support the expansion of their Registered Apprenticeship Program, they knew Luis would be an ideal candidate for one of their 45 spots. Through the DIF Grant, BIT began to seek out Employer Partners interested in hosting apprentices within their organization. When Salesforce became BIT’s first Employer Partner seeking a Salesforce Admin Apprentice, Luis again was an ideal fit.

Becoming an Apprentice

Luis entered BIT’s Apprenticeship Program in 2025 and quickly excelled. He completed 50 percent of the required competencies in the first 90 days, expediting his apprenticeship from two years to one year. To no surprise, he’s also earned a strong reputation among BIT and Salesforce staff alike for his solid work ethic, communication skills, and reliability.

“Working with Luis as our Salesforce Admin Apprentice on the Office of Accessibility Team has been an exceptional experience,” expressed Catherine Nichols, Chief Accessibility Officer, Salesforce. “From day one, he came in with a high level of professionalism, technical skills, and a real eagerness to learn. He’s made a noticeable impact on how our team works and stays efficient. We’re incredibly grateful for our partnership with BIT, which has helped us connect with amazing and dedicated talent, like Luis.”

Luis has now earned eight Salesforce certifications and anticipates wrapping up his apprenticeship by the end of the year. For those with disabilities also seeking competitive integrated employment or hoping to reskill to accommodate their needs, Luis offers some advice. “Find your support group and community first, then get started. Develop a competency in something,” says Luis. “Make sure people are aware of your skills. If people don’t know you can do something, it’s a disservice to you and your workplace. Success is the result of working smart, being resilient in the face of challenges, and adapting to change.”

For those interested in taking a first step with BIT or learning more about their Apprenticeship Program, visit their Career Seekers page.