Starting Fresh in the Workday Ecosystem
Starting Fresh in the Workday Ecosystem
Stepping into the Workday consulting world as a recent graduate was both exciting and intimidating. I had no experience with Workday, cloud technology or enterprise software but I was eager to learn. That’s when I joined the CloudRock Cultivate graduate programme, a launchpad designed to develop the next generation of Workday consultants through hands-on training, mentorship and real-world experience.CloudRock supported my development by providing the opportunity to gain Workday certification and over the past 18 months, I’ve grown into the role, recently stepping into an Analyst position. I can’t wait for what’s next.
The Early Days, A Steep Learning Curve
On day one, I found myself surrounded by brilliant minds speaking a technical language I didn’t yet understand, terms like Workday Extend, integrations, and client delivery flew around the room. I had a lot of questions and not many answers. But what stood out immediately was the culture of support and curiosity. Cultivate wasn’t about having it all figured out, it was about being willing to ask, learn, and grow.
A Hands-On Approach to Learning Workday
What makes the CloudRock Cultivate program unique is its practical approach. From the start, we weren’t just learning theory, we were building solutions. Week by week, we explored the technical foundations of Workday , dove into integrations, and worked through real-life client scenarios. Just as importantly, we honed essential consulting skills, communication, time management, and client readiness.
I discovered how design decisions impact scalability, why user experience matters, and how to think about future-proofing solutions. There was space to make mistakes, ask for feedback, and try again. That freedom to experiment helped me learn faster and build confidence.
The Shift, From Following to Leading
At a certain point in the journey, something changed. I found myself stepping up, volunteering ideas, helping peers debug, and taking initiative on tasks without waiting for direction. That shift from passive learner to active contributor was the moment I truly felt like I belonged.I wasn’t just surviving, I was thriving. That’s when I realised, I was no longer the “newbie.” I had earned my stripes. I had become a Workday consultant.
The Power of CloudRock’s Culture
Behind every milestone were the people who made it possible. My mentors were generous with their time and knowledge, our team leads led with empathy and clarity, and my fellow Cultivators became friends as much as colleagues. CloudRock’s culture is all about growth, collaboration, and support, and that culture shaped who I am today.
Looking Back, and Ahead
Reflecting on my time in the program, it’s incredible to see the distance travelled. From knowing nothing about Workday to contributing to real projects and collaborating with experienced professionals, I’ve grown more than I thought possible.
To anyone starting their career in cloud consulting, embrace being a beginner. You don’t need to know everything. All you need is curiosity, resilience, and the right environment to learn. For me, that environment was Cultivate.
This wasn’t just the start of my career, it was the foundation of how I think, solve problems, and show up as a consultant.