A few words about me:
I have been working as a testing professional for twenty years. I am now the solo tester at Geckoboard.
I have also been a member of a test team and a Test Lead.
I enjoy cricket and am a Level Two cricket coach.
Are there any professional experiences you've had that are quite unexpected compared to what you do nowadays?
Before going into tech, I led a sales team for the local energy utility. When I worked in sales, I helped customers every day. The experience I gained in sales helps me think about how the application I am working on supports the needs of customers.
I am also:
Co-author of two ebooks (link to book 1 - How Can I Test This? and link to book 2 - Testing Stories)
Blog contributor to LambdaTest (link to my blog post)
Speaker at testing conferences (a link to a list of the events that I have spoken at)
Vice Chair and Programme Secretary of the BCS Specialist Interest Group In Software Testing and have been Programme Secretary of its testing conference in each of the last three years (link to find out more about the committee)
Is your background more STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) or non-STEM related?
I have both a STEM and non-STEM background. I have now worked longer in tech than I worked in sales. My background is now more STEM, but having a non-STEM background is useful.
Where did your professional journey start?
My professional journey started at the energy utility where I calculated the sales figures. I impressed my manager and was sent to college one day a week to study business studies. The business studies qualification I gained enabled me to build a career at the energy utility.
How did you get into tech and what motivated you?
There were large numbers of redundancies at the energy utility and I wanted to start a new career because I could not see a future with the skills I had. I also wanted to start a new career in a profession where my skills would be in demand. I got a summer work placement in a tech firm and enjoyed it. I then chose to study computer science at university. After I graduated I found that I was good at testing. Since then I have had a career as a testing professional.
Have you experienced any 'career in tech' challenges / stereotypes?
I am white, male and middle class, and I recognise that I experienced fewer challenges than many others when making my career change.
"You can make a career change to move into tech."
What you wish you knew before getting started in tech...
Since starting in tech I have learned how important networking is, and it is becoming even more so. I would encourage people who are changing careers and moving into tech to go to meetups and conferences to meet people and network. I gain a lot from my membership of the British Computer Society because I learn so much from the people I meet there.
What has been your biggest 'wow!' moment related to working in tech so far?
Being part of the engineering management team at a start-up that made a successful exit was my biggest 'wow' moment since working in tech. I learned so much from the people I worked with and we achieved so much together.
What do you like / not like about working in tech?
What I like most about working in tech is learning. I have always had a desire to learn. In tech, I have learned and am learning so much from the people I meet and work with.
What I dislike about tech is the lack of diversity in the workforce. Initiatives that support diversity and inclusion in IT are to be welcomed.
"If you are thinking of making a career change do your research and then if you are happy with what you have learned go for it!"
What's been your favourite / most memorable / funniest 'career in tech' moment so far?
My most memorable moment would be when someone I mentored to become a tester was promoted to be a test manager. I was so pleased for them.
And to wrap up, is there any advice you'd like to give to others interested in a career in tech?
You can make a career change to move into tech. If you are thinking of making a career change do your research and then if you are happy with what you have learned go for it!
Comentários