[Testers' Day 2024] Activity 2 - Share your Testing Journeys! 📝

[albert.vu]

Hi all @trust_level_1 ,

Welcome to the second activity to celebrate the upcoming Testers’ Day on Sep 9, 2024. In this activity, we would love to hear about your testing journeys i.e. how you became one, your experiences thus far, and all that.

By sharing your story with the wider community, not only will you inspire countless other testers, but you will also get to win small gifts from us as well!

Learn more and share your stories below

Timeframe

• Start Date: 2024-09-01T17:00:00Z
• End Date: 2024-09-13T16:59:00Z

What you need to do

Simply click the Reply button at the bottom of this thread and provide your response to the following questions:

• How did you become a tester/What motivated you to become a tester yourself?
• Share with us one or two of your most memorable experiences i.e bugs, etc. throughout your testing journeys
• What is one piece of advice you would like to share with other testers?
• [Optional] What would be the one meme that describe your testing journey/life?

Criteria & prizes

We will use the number of likes/reactions that you get for your stories to determine the winners.

The top five members (5) who get the most likes/reaction for their comments will receive:

• A $30 eGift Card each!

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You can read through interviews with some of our most notable community members below to get inspired for your story.

[Testers' Day 2024] Community Members Interviews 🎤

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We also have other activities for you to celebrate Testers’ Day below

Testers' Day is coming on Sep 9, 2024! 🚀

[albert.vu]

Want to know how to get more likes/reactions for your stories? Simply invite your colleagues/teammates to our forum and have them like your comment!

Follow the steps below

1. Scroll down to the bottom of this thread.
2. Click on the Share buttion, then click + Invite
3. Specify the number of people you’re inviting under “Max uses”
4. Type in the name of this topic under “Arrive at topic”
5. Set an expiration date for your invite link (We suggest setting it as far as you can).
6. Click on Save Invite, then you can send the link to your friends!

[sneha.sajeev]

• In the beginning, I started as a developer, but I soon realized that it was not the right field for me. I faced a lot of criticism and mockery from both inside and outside, but I didn’t give up. I understood that development wasn’t my field, so I decided to explore something else. I became interested in testing and started learning more about it. Initially, I tried Katalon, and from my first role in testing until now, I have been very satisfied. I feel happy and confident doing testing on my own. That’s how I found my way into this field.

• My most memorable experience is when I found some bugs on a website created by the person who mocked me. That was truly a memorable moment for me.

• In this field, we face many challenges, sorrows, and negative comments, but don’t give up. Always do your best to find errors and bugs so that the product improves. Focus on the satisfaction that comes from contributing to a better product. This is the only advice I want to give.

[albert.vu]

Thank you very much Sneha @sneha.sajeev for your sharing!

Feel free to encourage your friends and colleges to like/react to your sharing by following the steps here.

And, did you know that you could also win an additional $30 when you play our Bug Hunter game?

[Testers' Day 2024] Activity 3 - Hunt Down the Bugs

[Bug Hunter KV] Hi folks, Welcome to the third activity as part of our Testers’ Day celebration. For this activity, let’s relax with a small game to test your speed and luck: Bug Hunter! In this game, you will simply need to squash as many bugs as you can when they appear on your screen and aim to get the highest score of the day! Follow the steps below to play the game and get rewarded Timeframe Start Date: Sep 6, 2024 End …

[dineshh]

My “Testing Journey”

Imagine someone who was always curious about how things work, not just on the surface but in-depth. They loved tinkering with gadgets, breaking things down, and discovering what made them tick. It was this innate curiosity that drove them towards software testing.

The Start

Didn’t start in software testing immediately. Initially, a developer, excited about writing code and building apps. However, over time, they realized that building was just half the fun—the real challenge was ensuring it worked as expected in every possible situation. That’s when they began gravitating towards testing.

Took a job as a junior tester and quickly learned that software testing wasn’t just about finding bugs—it was about advocating for quality. Testers are the gatekeepers, ensuring that end-users have a seamless experience.

Key Experiences

Learning Automation: Automation became a big part of their journey. At first, manual testing was satisfying, but soon they realized the potential of automation. Writing scripts to perform repetitive tasks saved time and reduced human error. Started learning tools like Selenium, JUnit, katalon and others to develop test automation frameworks to cover regression testing efficiently and focus on new, more challenging areas.

Collaborating with Developers: One of their most eye-opening experiences was learning to collaborate closely with developers. Instead of just reporting bugs, started working hand-in-hand to prevent them. This collaboration improved the team’s efficiency and led to quicker releases and higher-quality software.

Mentorship: After gaining experience, started mentoring junior testers. emphasized the importance of both functional and non-functional testing, helping others understand that performance, security, and usability are as important as functionality. Mentorship not only improved the team’s skill set but also boosted their own confidence as a tester.

Challenges Faced

Testing has its challenges. There were times when deadlines were tight, and the pressure was immense. There were also instances where bugs slipped through, causing major issues. Each of these moments felt like a setback, but viewed them as learning opportunities, sharpening their skills and attention to detail.

Sometimes, encountered resistance from developers who didn’t fully appreciate the importance of testing, but through patience, communication, and showing the impact of bugs on end-users, slowly changed the team’s perspective on quality.

Current View on Testing

Now, working on both manual and automated testing, and focusing heavily on continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD). seeing testing not as a job but as a passion—a crucial part of the software development process. It’s about balancing functionality with user experience and advocating for the customer, ensuring the final product is reliable and delightful.

Advice to Other Testers

1. Stay Curious: Always be curious about the “why” behind each feature or bug. Don’t just stop at finding issues; dig deeper into understanding the root cause.
2. Learn Automation: Automation testing is a must-have skill. It will not only make you more efficient but also give you more time to focus on exploratory testing.
3. Be an Advocate for Quality: Speak up for quality in every stage of the development cycle. Testing isn’t just about the end—it starts with the very first requirement.
4. Stay Adaptable: Testing is constantly evolving with new methodologies, tools, and technologies. Always stay updated, learn new tools, and be adaptable.

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In essence, software testing is not just a profession but a mindset of continuous learning, collaboration, and improving the user experience.

[kirankukreja51]

My Testing Journey:

I became a tester almost by chance. During my campus placement into an MNC, we were randomly sorted into different streams, and that’s how I found myself in testing. Initially, I didn’t know much about it, but once I started learning the basics and fundamentals, I quickly realized how crucial testing is in software development. The more I learned, the more I appreciated the role of testing in ensuring quality and reliability in software products. This realization sparked my passion for testing, and I chose to pursue it wholeheartedly. What keeps me passionate today is the continuous learning and the challenges that come with testing. The field is always evolving, and there’s always something new to learn, whether it’s a new tool, technique, or approach. Knowing that my work directly contributes to the quality and success of a product keeps me motivated every day.

Memorable experience:
One of the most memorable experiences in my testing journey was when I received feedback and LinkedIn messages from learners who had benefitted from my courses on Katalon Academy. Some of them shared how my courses helped them achieve Katalon certifications, which in turn advanced their careers. These messages were incredibly fulfilling and made me realize the impact that sharing knowledge can have on others’ lives. This experience motivated me to give back to the community by continuing to create valuable content and helping others grow in their testing careers. It’s not just about doing my job; it’s about contributing to the community and helping others succeed. This is what drives me to keep giving back.
As a Katalon Academy Instructor, I see my role as not just a teacher but also as a mentor and guide for those who are starting their journey in testing or looking to advance their skills. My aim is to create content that is practical, insightful, and aligned with the real-world challenges that testers face. By doing so, I hope to equip learners with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their careers. I also believe in the importance of staying updated with the latest trends and technologies in testing, so I make sure to incorporate that into my courses. In this way, I contribute to the growth and success of the testing community by empowering testers to achieve their full potential.

Advice for fellow testers:

For those just starting out in automation testing, my advice would be to start with the basics. Understand the fundamental concepts of testing and automation, and then gradually move on to more advanced topics. Don’t rush the learning process; take the time to understand the ‘why’ behind the ‘how’. Practice is key, so try to work on real-world projects or contribute to open-source projects to gain hands-on experience.

For those looking to advance their careers, continuous learning is crucial. The field of automation testing is always evolving, so staying updated with the latest tools, techniques, and best practices is important. Networking with other professionals, attending conferences, and participating in community events can also provide valuable insights and opportunities for growth.

Finally, be patient and persistent. Automation testing can be challenging, and there will be times when things don’t work out as planned. But with persistence and a willingness to learn from mistakes, you can overcome these challenges and advance in your career.

Meme representing my testing journey

[himanshupawar.work]

How did you become a tester me to become a tester ?
I actually stumbled into the world of testing by accident. I didn’t set out with a clear intention to become a tester, but I realized it was a perfect fit once I found myself in this role. What started as an unexpected detour in my career path quickly turned into a passion. The satisfaction of ensuring that everything works as intended and the challenge of uncovering hidden issues became my driving force. Over time, this accidental entry into testing turned into a rewarding and fulfilling career.Learning new technologies and acquiring new skills made it even better and I enjoy doing it always.

most memorable experiences throughout my testing journeys
One of the most proud moment was being becoming a Katalon Creator within the Katalon Community. This achievement was a testament to my commitment to the testing profession and my contribution to the community. It was not just about finding bugs but also about sharing knowledge and helping others grow in their testing careers. I had been writing blogs on Testing and Katalon, and its fun being part of the community.

one piece of advice to share with other testers?

If I had to offer one piece of advice to fellow testers, it would be to stay curious and never stop learning. The world of technology is constantly evolving, and with it, the challenges we face as testers. Embrace every opportunity to learn new tools, techniques, and methodologies

Meme I find funny and relatable

[hasanaskari.work]

• How did you become a tester/What motivated you to become a tester yourself?
  I initially found my way into testing quite serendipitously. I started out in a different role in tech but was always fascinated by the details and intricacies of how software worked. When an opportunity arose to work closely with the QA team on a project, I was immediately drawn to the challenge of finding bugs and ensuring a product’s quality. The role of a tester resonated with me because it’s both analytical and creative. What truly motivated me was the satisfaction of identifying and resolving issues that could affect users’ experiences. It’s a dynamic field where you constantly learn and adapt, which keeps the work engaging and fulfilling.

• Share with us one or two of your most memorable experiences i.e bugs, etc. throughout your testing journeys.
  One memorable experience was discovering a critical bug in a major release just days before launch. It was a rare edge case that caused the application to crash under specific conditions. Finding this bug required a lot of deep diving and testing different scenarios, but resolving it and preventing a major issue for users was incredibly rewarding. Another memorable moment was when I had to test a feature that was intended to be a fun, interactive experience but ended up being hilariously buggy. The feature would randomly switch languages mid-interaction, turning a simple task into a multilingual comedy of errors. It was a fun challenge to track down the problem and ensure the feature worked smoothly in all supported languages.

• What is one piece of advice you would like to share with other testers?
  One piece of advice I’d offer is to always put yourself in the user’s shoes. Understanding the user’s perspective can greatly enhance your testing process. This empathy helps in identifying potential pain points that might not be immediately obvious from a technical standpoint. Additionally, continuously learning and staying updated with new testing tools and methodologies will keep your skills sharp and make you more effective in your role.

• What would be the one meme that describe your testing journey/life?
  If I had to choose a meme to represent my testing journey, it would be the classic “This is fine” dog sitting in a room on fire. It humorously captures the essence of dealing with unexpected issues and staying calm under pressure. It’s a reminder that, no matter how chaotic things get, staying focused and methodical is key to overcoming challenges and delivering quality results.
  

  

[nhatruc1911]

I became a tester for the flexibility and work-life balance it offered. I found testing to be a rewarding career that aligned with my interests. I started by join a fresher tester class, which provided me with a solid foundation in testing methodologies and techniques.

One of my most challenging experiences was a bug that was difficult to reproduce in the development environment. It required extensive testing and debugging to isolate the issue.

My advice for other testers is to follow your passion. If you’re truly passionate about testing, you’ll find the motivation and drive to overcome challenges and succeed in this field. Don’t be afraid to explore different areas of testing and find your niche.

[albert.vu]

Hi folks, @here

Thank you very much for participating in the second activity of our Testers’ Day celebration. And now, let’s welcome our winners below:

• @himanshupawar.work
• @dineshh
• @sneha.sajeev
• @kirankukreja51

Our team will reach out to each of you regarding the delivery of your prize soon, so keep an eye out for your inboxes!

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Did you know that our first Testers’ Day activity - Solution Whisperer - is still going on until 2024-09-28T16:59:00Z?

Simply have:

• Five (5) of your comments marked as solutions to receive a Solution Whisperer badge to get 150 Kudos, or
• Ten (10) of your comments marked as solutions to receive a Guidance Counselor badge and get a $20 eGift Card!

More information below

[Giveaway] Happy Testers' Day 2024!

[image] Hi Community members, Did you know that it is nearly 77 years since the first computer bug was discovered? On September 9, 1947, Grace Hopper, a computer scientist at Harvard, found a moth stuck in the Mark II Calculator – the first recorded case of “debugging.” Since then, the world has celebrated Testers’ Day on September 9th to honor the vital role testers play in ensuring smooth and reliable experiences (whether analog or digital). This upcoming Testers’ Day, we invi…