Can you tell me more about your transition from Test Analyst roles at UnitedHealth Group and Infosys to your current position at Planit Testing?
The transition from Test Analyst to Test Engineer has been an exciting and rewarding journey. It has allowed me to expand my skill set, take on more technical challenges, and contribute more significantly to the overall quality of software products. I’m continually motivated by the evolving nature of the field and look forward to future opportunities to grow and innovate in my career.
What are your primary responsibilities as a Test Engineer at Planit Testing?
As a Test Engineer at Planit Testing, my role goes beyond simply finding defects; it’s about ensuring that the software meets high-quality standards and delivers a seamless experience to end-users. By combining manual and automated testing strategies, I contribute to both immediate project success and long-term quality assurance improvements within the organization.
Here’s a breakdown of my key responsibilities:
- Collaborating with stakeholders, project managers, and developers to understand project requirements, business goals, and technical specifications.
- Developing comprehensive test strategies and test plans that outline the scope, objectives, resources, and timelines for testing activities.
- Conducting manual testing, including functional testing, regression testing, integration testing, and user acceptance testing (UAT).
- Running automated test scripts to speed up regression testing and validate software functionality across multiple environments.
- Reporting, documenting, and tracking defects, collaborating closely with developers to ensure timely resolution.
- Collaborating with development teams to integrate automated tests into the CI/CD pipeline using tools like Jenkins.
- Logging defects in defect tracking systems (such as Jira), prioritizing them based on severity, and working with developers to ensure that they are addressed.
What prompted you to pursue a degree in data science, and how do you see it shaping the future of software testing?
Pursuing a degree in data science was motivated by my fascination with the growing role of data in solving real-world problems. Data is now at the heart of decision-making processes in almost every industry, and I wanted to be part of that transformation. When it comes to software testing, I believe data science will significantly shape its future in several ways like Test Prioritization using data science techniques like predictive modelling, generating test cases and scripts based on patterns learned from previous test data with the help of Machine Learning algorithms, leveraging data science to study user interactions leading to more relevant testing scenarios.
In short, data science is driving a future where software testing becomes more predictive, automated, and aligned with user needs, leading to faster, more efficient, and higher-quality software releases.
You mentioned a passion for continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends. How do you manage to stay informed in such a rapidly evolving field?
Staying updated in a rapidly evolving field like data science and software testing requires a proactive and structured approach to continuous learning. Here’s how I manage to keep up.
- I regularly use platforms like Coursera and Udemy to take specialized courses on new tools and techniques in data science, machine learning, and software testing. I regularly enrol in courses to deepen my knowledge or learn emerging technologies like AI-driven testing or advanced data analytics.
- Being part of communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, linkedin and Reddit allows me to engage with professionals, exchange knowledge, and learn from real-world challenges others are facing.
- I apply what I learn by working on personal or collaborative projects. Whether it’s using a new testing framework or experimenting with a data science model, hands-on practice is crucial for deepening my understanding of new technologies.
- Subscribing to newsletters like Data Science Weekly or listening to podcasts like Data Skeptic and The Testing Show keeps me informed about the latest trends while on the go.
Could you elaborate on your belief that “growth is a process”? How does this mindset influence your approach to career development and personal growth?
My belief that “growth is a process” reflects the idea that meaningful development—whether personal or professional—happens over time, through consistent effort, learning, and adaptation. Growth is not an event or a sudden leap forward, but rather a journey that requires patience, resilience, and a willingness to embrace both successes and setbacks.
In my career development, I set both short-term and long-term goals, recognizing that growth happens incrementally. This mindset allows me to celebrate progress at each stage, keeping me motivated and ensuring that I’m always progressing, even if growth happens step by step rather than all at once. When you view growth as a process, failure becomes an essential part of learning. Instead of being discouraged by obstacles, I see them as opportunities to learn and improve in my career as well as personal growth.
What advice would you give to someone starting their career in software testing based on your own journey and experiences?
Based on my journey and experiences in software testing, here are some key pieces of advice for someone starting their career in this field:
Master the Fundamentals
Begin by building a strong foundation in the core concepts of software testing. Learn the different types of testing (manual, automated, functional, non-functional) and key methodologies like Agile and Waterfall. Having a solid grasp of software development life cycles (SDLC) will help you understand where testing fits into the broader picture.
Hands-On Experience
The best way to learn testing is by doing it. Start working on small projects, volunteer to test open-source software, or practice by testing apps or websites you use daily.
Understand the Business Context
Testing is not just about finding bugs—it’s about ensuring that the software meets business goals. Try to understand the business requirements and how the product will be used by real customers.
Learn Automation Early
Familiarize yourself with automation tools like Selenium, Cypress, or Appium, and learn scripting languages like Python or Java. Automation not only improves efficiency but also makes you more versatile in the job market.
Work on Communication Skills
As a tester, you’ll need to effectively communicate defects, testing outcomes, and risks to developers, managers, and other stakeholders. It’s important to be clear, concise, and objective when discussing issues
Looking back at your career so far, what do you consider to be the highlight or most fulfilling aspect of your work?
Looking back at my career in software testing so far, the most fulfilling aspect has been seeing the direct impact of my work on the quality of software products and the overall user experience. The highlight of my work so far has been the combination of technical challenges, growth, and the impact I’ve been able to make on the projects I’ve worked on. The most fulfilling aspect, though, remains the opportunity to make a tangible difference in ensuring that critical systems function smoothly. Catching these early in the development cycle and knowing that I helped prevent potential customer frustration or costly errors is immensely satisfying.
The continuous learning aspect of software testing has been another fulfilling part of my journey. Staying updated with trends and applying them to real-world scenarios is both challenging and rewarding. I’ve had opportunities to mentor junior testers and share knowledge about testing tools, processes, and best practices. Mentorship also solidifies my own understanding, as explaining concepts and answering questions often leads to deeper insights. It’s that blend of personal growth, teamwork, and delivering quality that makes this journey truly rewarding for me.
