[Testers' Day 2024] Community Members Interviews 🎤

Hi Community members, :wave:

To celebrate the upcoming Testers’ Day on Sep 9, 2024, we want to highlight the stories and experiences of a few notable testers in our community. Hence, we reached out to a few members, who also happen to be our Academy instructors, and some Katalon Creators as well to interview them about their testing journeys.

Over the next few days, we will be posting their interviews in this thread.

For now, please enjoy this short video that we have worked with them to put together. :heart:

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Today, we got a chance to sit down with Kalpana Kukreja (@kirankukreja51), one of our Academy instructors and also Creators. Kalpana is a seasoned test consultant with extensive hands-on experience across multiple testing domains, including functional, API, automation, and accessibility testing. She is an avid explorer who loves to get her hands on various testing domains and tools.

Check out her sharing below :point_down:


1. How did you become a tester/What motivated you to become a tester and what keeps you passionate about it today?

I became a tester by chance during my campus placement when I was assigned to testing. Initially, I knew little about it, but as I learned the basics, I realized how crucial testing is in software development. This sparked my passion, and I pursued it wholeheartedly. The continuous learning and evolving challenges in testing keep me passionate, as there’s always something new to discover. Knowing that my work directly contribute to the quality and success of a product keeps me motivated every day.

2. Can you share with us one of your memorable experiences throughout your testing journey that has motivated you to give back to the community?

A memorable experience was mentoring fellow testers and receiving feedback from learners who benefited from my Katalon Academy courses. Hearing how my courses helped them achieve certifications and advance their careers was incredibly fulfilling. This inspired me to continue creating valuable content and helping others in their testing careers. Contributing to the community and seeing others succeed is what drives me to keep giving back.

3. As a Katalon Academy Instructor yourself, how do you see your role in contributing to the growth and success of the testing community?

As a Katalon Academy Instructor, I see myself as a mentor and guide, aiming to provide practical and insightful content that addresses real-world testing challenges. I strive to equip learners with the skills they need to succeed while also incorporating the latest developments in testing into my courses, so that they can stay updated with the latest trends in testing. By empowering testers with knowledge and practical skills, I contribute to the community’s growth and help others reach their full potential.

4. What advice(s) would you give to testers who just started out in Automation testing, or those who aspire to advance their careers in this field?

For beginners, start with the basics of testing and automation, and gradually move to advanced topics. Focus on understanding the ‘why’ behind the ‘how’, and gain hands-on experience through real-world or open-source projects. Practice makes perfect after all.

For those looking to advance their careers, continuous learning is key—stay updated with the latest tools and best practices, and engage with the community (such as on Katalon Community forum) through networking and events.

And last but not least, be patient and persistent; challenges are part of the journey (and there will be times when things don’t work as intended), but with determination, you can overcome them and grow in your career.


Thank you very much Kalpana for your sharing. We wish you many more successes to come in the future!

:information_source: You can learn more about Kalpana, and check out her courses here: https://academy.katalon.com/instructor/kalpana-kukreja/

Let’s welcome another one of our Katalon Academy instructors, Raghav Pal (@Raghav)! Raghav is an educator and teaches various topics related to Automation, Testing, CI/CD, and Devops. He was an Automation Test Architect and has led multiple test automation projects.

He has been teaching Katalon Studio since 2017. He is also a corporate trainer who has been involved in helping and working with corporations select and implement the right automation tools.


1. How did you become a tester/What motivated you to become a tester and what keeps you passionate about it today?

My journey into testing began purely by chance. After completing my initial training at the organization where I started my career, I was assigned to a testing project due to business needs. That was my first encounter with testing. When I later transitioned to Automation Testing, I was amazed by how we could leverage code and tools to automate the testing process, eliminating the need to manually execute each step. Over time, my interest in the field grew, and I gained valuable experience.

Years later, I joined a startup where I was tasked with setting up an entire automation testing process from scratch. This also involved training and mentoring a new team. The challenge was invigorating, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. That passion for teaching and training continues to drive me today.

2. Can you share with us one of your memorable experiences throughout your testing journey that has motivated you to give back to the community?

Yes, so in nearly every Test Automation project I have been a part of, there were moments when we needed assistance with code, functionality, or process. I often turned to online resources where others had generously shared their knowledge, experiences, and solutions.

These resources were invaluable to my growth. As I gained more experience, I realized that I could contribute as well. This realization motivated me to start giving back and helping others in the community, just as others had helped me before.

3. As a Katalon Academy Instructor yourself, how do you see your role in contributing to the growth and success of the testing community?

I view Katalon Academy as a greatl learning platform, and as an instructor, my role is crucial in empowering learners to acquire in-demand skills, helping to bridge the gap between theory and practice, and building my learners’ confidence through hands-on experience. My goal is to ensure that learners are well-equipped to succeed in the testing field.

4. What advice would you give to testers who are just starting out in Automation Testing, or those who aspire to advance their careers in this field?

Automation Testing is an incredible field, and with the right mindset and a genuine desire to learn, it can be transformative. Start by mastering the basics and building a solid foundation. Choose the right tools and commit to practicing consistently.

You should also strive to understand the ‘why’ behind automation, remain patient, and stay persistent. And most importantly, never stop learning!


Thank you Raghav for your sharing. Our team and all the Katalon users & Academy learners out there greatly appreciate what you have done for the Academy!

:information_source: You can learn more about Raghav, and check out his courses here: Meet Our Instructor | Raghav Pal