From First-Gen Trailblazer to Salesforce Administrator: My Returnship Journey

For this week’s Tech-Mom Tuesday, we’re proud to spotlight Kim Starr, who was selected as a Salesforce Administrator through our Returnship Program, made possible by Talent Ready Utah (TRU). Her story is one of resilience, growth, and finding purpose—and we can’t wait for you to read it.

Kim Starr and her Family

Growing up, I didn’t know what I didn’t know. As a first-generation everything. First to graduate high school. First to go to university. First to land a professional job. I had no roadmap. My immigrant parents worked hard, but their own education didn’t extend junior high for one & high school for the other. Role models who looked like me or came from a background like mine were few and far between. I learned to figure things out on my own, one uncertain step at a time.

I took the unconventional path. It wasn’t always clear or smooth, but I graduated from college and built a great career. I’ve worked across industries such as retail, legal, finance, risk & compliance, and now tech. Wearing many hats from specialized roles to team lead and project manager. My adaptability has always been my strength. I know how to walk into new, unfamiliar spaces and make it work. That’s the superpower of a nontraditional path. It teaches you how to grow in discomfort.

Still, even with all that progress, something was missing. I didn’t have a strong community. I didn’t see others like me. Women, first-gens, immigrants’ kids, etc. thriving in the spaces I was entering. I felt stuck. I knew I had more potential, more to offer, but no clear direction or support to keep growing.

Kim Starr, Tech-Moms Returner

"That changed when I found Tech-Moms, a nonprofit focused on helping women break into tech at any age or stage of life. For the first time, I felt seen. I found a community where women strongly supported women, where knowledge was shared freely, and where personal growth was just as important as professional success."

I love staying connected with the Tech-Moms community. Whether it’s at meetups, conferences, or events, there’s something special about seeing a familiar face and instantly sharing that unspoken bond. Because of my own background, I’m especially tuned in to those who may be hanging back or navigating unfamiliar spaces. Often people who, like me, come from unconventional paths. I naturally gravitate toward them. I know what it’s like to be the only one in the room, and I make it a point to ensure others feel welcome, included, and seen. Inclusivity isn’t just a value for me, it’s something I practice with intention in every space I enter.

Through Tech-Moms, I recently completed a Salesforce Administrator Returnship Program. This experience marked another milestone in my journey. I not only earned my Salesforce Administrator Certification, but I also led a real-world project to help Tech Moms implement their very own Nonprofit Cloud instance. I worked closely with stakeholders, defined project scope and user stories, used agile methodologies, and collaborated with my amazing team through tools like Jira and Confluence. I built a custom case management app for the organization to help them better support the community they serve. It was more than just a learning experience. It was a meaningful way to give back while leveling up my skills in a professional, purpose driven environment.

It felt like a full-circle moment. The culmination of all the hard-earned skills I’d developed across every chapter of my career. My background in leadership, training and development, the data analytics bootcamp I completed, my project management experience, and now this hands-on Salesforce admin project. It all came together.

Recently, I passed the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam, further validating the years of experience I’ve built leading teams, streamlining workflows, and delivering outcomes. I’m more than ready for what’s next.

Tech-Moms gave me more than technical training, it gave me hope and momentum. It reminded me that my background isn't a barrier, it's a strength. And it reignited my drive to keep pushing, learning, and reaching for what’s next.

And the impact didn’t stop with me. What I’ve gained, this confidence, this knowledge, this community, will ripple outward. It changes how I show up as a parent, what I can model for my children, and what possibilities they’ll grow up seeing as normal. I now approach success with the mindset of someone who was born into it and I’m passing that mindset down. This is how generational change starts. With awareness, with access, with one door opening at a time.

With everything I’ve learned, what excites me most about the future is the chance to help others navigate complex systems, integrate tools, and build efficient workflows that make people’s work lives better. That’s the kind of impact I want to have. The possibilities ahead of me now are bigger than I ever could have imagined. And for the first time, I feel fully equipped to run toward them. This journey has never been easy, but it’s mine. And I’m proud of it.

Help us continue creating life-changing opportunities like this—donate today at tech-moms.org/donate.