What inspired you to pursue a career in quality assurance (QA) engineering?
Growing up with a PC from the age of six, I was fascinated by technology and spent countless hours exploring games and websites. However, I often encountered bugs and poor functionality, which sparked a curiosity in me about how software could be improved. This early exposure inspired me to pursue a career in Quality Assurance (QA) Engineering, where I could ensure that others have a smooth, enjoyable experience with the technology they use.
Can you describe your role and responsibilities as a Senior QA Engineer at Proto?
First and foremost, my main responsibility is to make sure our platform works as it should. But I always try to do more: reach out to other departments, help my teammates, suggest some process improvements to new or existing features.
What helps you get through particularly tough days at work?
When you enjoy your work and have such great teammates, tough days are not a problem.
Walk us through your typical day at Proto. What’s that like?
I start each day by checking my email and Slack DM. After that I go to GitHub to find something to test. If there are no more urgent tasks, I can write new feature requirements, documentation, or perform regression testing. And of course, I have several calls with my best teammates throughout the day.
How do you stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in QA?
I have many friends who are also QA engineers and we share information with each other. Also, checking https://dou.ua/.
What tools do you prefer to use in your QA processes?
DBeaver and Postman. All day, all night.
What are your thoughts on automation testing versus manual testing?
Both automation and manual testing have their own strengths. Automation is incredibly valuable for repetitive tasks, regression testing, and ensuring that large parts of the application work as expected. It saves time and increases efficiency. However, manual testing is equally important because it allows for a human touch. Humans can detect subtle issues that scripts might miss and can suggest improvements based on their intuition and understanding of user experience. A balanced approach that leverages both methods is the most effective way to ensure high-quality software.
Can you share a memorable moment or achievement in your QA career?
Joining Proto of course!
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in QA?
You need to go beyond the limits. Try to learn something that other candidates do not know. It doesn't have to be about testing.
What’s one fun fact about you that people might be surprised to learn?
I'm a huge football enthusiast, both in real life and in virtual games. When I was around 12 years old, I took my passion further by creating 3D models of the players' faces from my hometown team, Karpaty Lviv, specifically for the FIFA game. So, in addition to being a QA Engineer, I also have experience as a 3D Modeller.
