15 Mar 2024
This article is part of a series called "Stories of Women in Software Testing All around the World", launched on the 8th of March in a post with snippets from every interview. In the week from the 11th to the 15th, we will launch the complete interviews of all the women. Follow our page and don't miss any updates.
The interview was done by Brightest with Lina Mohammed Osman, Quality Assurance Engineer RAKBANK.
I began my professional journey as a Software Developer but later transitioned into the role of a QA Engineer. Being someone who enjoys exploring new applications and thoroughly testing their functionalities, I naturally gravitated towards QA. I have since worked as a QA Engineer across various companies and industries, gaining experience in a wide range of testing methods. With nearly 9 years of experience under my belt, I specialize in API, mobile, web, and performance testing.
One of my proudest achievements is my involvement in a major financial inclusion and digital transformation project in Sudan. I played a key role in reviewing requirements, conducting integration testing, and performing UAT testing. In projects of this nature, testing is a critical phase, as any bugs could potentially damage the corporate reputation and erode customer trust in digital banking solutions.
Actually, being a woman doesn't affect my career.
The QA field is impacted by technological advancements, requiring us to test all emerging technologies.
Stay current with the latest technologies and make learning a daily habit. As a QA Engineer, possessing knowledge that aids in verifying and validating software quality is essential. Familiarize yourself with best practices and be prepared to offer recommendations.
I started #Review page, where I share technical reviews about new applications. Also, I'm a member of the BrowserStack Champions community.
The interview was done by Brightest with Maria Olga Raimondo, Director of Quality Assurance at Onelity.
My love for quality and attention to detail has always been strong. After closing Purple Games, the company I had founded, I got the opportunity to join a company for IoT testing. This was my first, yet immature, contact with Quality Assurance. Testing was ad-hoc, and processes were nonexistent. Yet, the passion for a quality product was there. My real and true relationship with QA started when I joined my current company, where everything fell into place: best practices, agile processes, and a culture of continuous improvement.
I am particularly proud of my contribution to one of my recent projects, a big telecommunication company under digital transformation. I had just returned from maternity leave when I joined this big project as an external QA Engineer. During the first 3 months, I worked as a member of the Salesforce testing team and then, I got promoted to a Salesforce Test Manager. I stayed on this project for 1.5 years, during which we managed with my team to release one very important feature – with a 0% Defect Escape Rate – and several small, equally successful, releases. The reason however this project will stay in my heart is the major challenges in communication and collaboration that the client‘s teams were facing and the great progress we all made together in overcoming these obstacles and successfully delivering a quality product.
I anticipate AI playing an increasingly significant role in our professional endeavors in the years ahead. There is already a big progress made in this field and undoubtedly, there is more to come. A QA Engineer should learn how to use AI in everyday tasks and how to evolve together with AI.
Be active and try to participate in as many events as possible. There are numerous events you can join even for free, like Meetups, online workshops, and webinars. Try to get as involved as possible and also, try to remain involved. QA is constantly evolving and you need to evolve with it.
I actively participate in Thessaloniki Software Testing & QA Meetup, a non-profit organization aiming to promote education, training, and professional development in Software Quality Assurance. We organize meetups and workshops relating to software quality. Our next event will be on Monday 15. April 2024.
The interview was done by Brightest with Feifei Ding, QA Engineer at Banking Circle.
Reflecting on my experience, I take immense pride in our project's track record of stability. Over the course of more than a year, we haven't encountered the need for rollback, indicating that each release has been successful with minimal issues. This achievement speaks volumes about the meticulous testing efforts and collaborative spirit of our team. It's gratifying to see our dedication and expertise translate into tangible results, ensuring a seamless experience for our users. This accomplishment reaffirms my commitment to delivering quality software and highlights the invaluable contributions of women in the field of software testing.
Not specifically as a woman, but I've encountered some distinct challenges along the way. One recurring issue is the perception that testing is less rigorous or important compared to development, leading to doubts about the depth of our testing efforts. It can be frustrating when our dedication to thorough testing is met with skepticism or disbelief. However, these obstacles only fuel my motivation to demonstrate my expertise and make meaningful contributions to the success of our projects.
Navigating these challenges has taught me the importance of effective communication. It's essential to articulate the reasons behind comprehensive testing to counter misconceptions and gain support. Additionally, finding the balance between thorough testing and meeting deadlines has led me to explore automation testing as a time-saving solution. Reflecting on my journey, I've been influenced by individuals who advocate for inclusivity and have shown resilience in the face of adversity, shaping my approach to overcoming obstacles.
As we look ahead, I anticipate a significant shift toward automation testing as a prevailing trend in the QA software industry. This transition implies that we'll be dedicating more time to crafting scripts rather than relying solely on manual testing processes. Embracing automation not only streamlines our workflows but also empowers us to focus on more strategic and creative aspects of testing. I'm excited to see how this evolution will enhance efficiency and drive innovation within our field, offering new opportunities for growth and collaboration.
To the next generation of women considering a career in QA, my advice is to broaden your skill set beyond UI testing. Dive into performance testing, familiarize yourself with running SQL queries to analyze database data, and embrace automation testing. By expanding your expertise in these areas, you'll not only enhance your career prospects but also contribute to the advancement of the field. Remember, your unique perspective and skills have the power to shape the future of software testing.