Company Culture
We are taking a step further in capturing the journey of every women in tech, in Studio 14 as we celebrate International Women’s Day in March 2024. Previously, we had interesting chats with Abiola Akande, a WordPress Intern turned Developer at Studio14 and Jennifer Onuogu, a Quality Assurance Tester at Studio14.
In this article, Kelechi Oduocha, Quality Assurance Engineer at Studio14, shares pieces that make up her journey in tech. Let’s get started!
Q: What was the starting point of your career in tech?
My tech journey wasn’t conventional. With a background in political science, I stumbled into software engineering out of curiosity. This unexpected shift ultimately led me to a fulfilling career in Quality Assurance.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career as a QA Engineer?
My inspiration for becoming a Quality Assurance Engineer stemmed from a fascination with ensuring the seamless functionality of software. I saw it as a unique way to bridge my love for problem-solving with the rapidly evolving world of technology.
Q: What does a typical workday look like for you as a QA Engineer?
A typical day for me as a Quality Assurance Engineer involves analysing requirements, creating test cases, executing tests, reporting bugs, testing on APIs, and collaborating with developers and other team members to ensure the quality of the product throughout its development cycle. It’s dynamic and always keeps me on my toes.
Q: Have you faced any challenges as a woman in tech, and how did you overcome them?
Getting into the tech industry brought its share of difficulties, particularly due to my lack of prior software engineering/computer science knowledge. I concentrated on continuous learning, participating in workshops, and seeking mentorship to improve my skills and develop a strong professional network.
Q: Do specific experiences or moments stand out in your journey so far?
One standout moment in my journey was a project where I was responsible for testing a complex financial software as the sole Quality Assurance Engineer on the project. The intricacies and challenges of ensuring accuracy and security were daunting, but overcoming them was incredibly rewarding. It taught me the importance of resilience and attention to detail in our field.
Q: Are there some women in tech that inspire you, and why?
The women in my tech industry circle, such as Kelechi Adiuku, Chineze Nwosu, Geraldine Ugwu, Damilola Adejuwon, Barbara Stevenson, Jennifer Onuogu, and Rukayah Shuaib, among others, have made noteworthy contributions to the development, programming, testing, and deployment of widely-used software products. Their efforts in bringing these products to users are genuinely commendable.
Q: What advice do you have for women considering a career in Quality Assurance?
I recommend embracing continuous learning. Staying curious and proactive in understanding various testing methodologies and tools. It is important to pay sharp attention to detail and develop strong communication skills to effectively communicate your findings. Be sure to collaborate closely with developers and other team members, along with being open to feedback.
Additionally, seek mentorship to navigate the intricacies of the field. Achieving success in Quality Assurance relies not only on technical skills but also on adaptability, teamwork and a commitment to delivering high-quality results.
Reflecting on her journey as a Quality Assurance Engineer and a woman in tech, Kelechi Oduocha highlights the importance of embracing challenges. As a female professional in this dynamic field, she has found strength in diversity and innovation. Every challenge is an opportunity for growth, and by pushing boundaries, women can collectively shape a more inclusive and vibrant tech landscape.
For more insights into our efforts to cultivate a diverse work culture and inspire inclusion, send an email to daniel[at]studio14online.co.uk