Meet a Tester: Preche

In Meet a Tester, we feature QA experts from our network who share their love for quality and Testlio. Preche is an Ignite Program graduate and a tester from Congo.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am from Pointe-Noire, a coastal city in the Republic of the Congo, but I’ve been living in Tartu, Estonia since 2012. My native language is French but I also speak English and Estonian.

I strive for technical excellence and a great customer service experience with a passion for quality, and I have a forward-thinking mindset. I can push the limits of what is possible in my work. I am an enthusiastic, friendly, and driven coder, who can bring to the table proactivity, collaboration, new ideas, and mature opinions.

What is your educational background?

I completed High School in Engineering Technology(TechBacc), and I graduated from Tallinn Software Development Academy in Software Design and Development (Java programming). In 2020, I also graduated from Ignite, Testlio’s Software Testing-QA Traineeship that is designed for people who have faced challenges and are looking for ways to start a career in testing.

How did you find Ignite?

Through a friend who connected me with a full-time employee at Testlio. He knew that I was going through a hard moment in my life; this was just after my football career was cut short due to a serious physical health problem. It was shocking to hear the doctors tell me that I could no longer play or pursue my career in football. I went looking for a new job in a different field, and this TestLion told my close friend about the Ignite program and asked him if I would be interested in trying something different that would help and direct me towards new perspectives and opportunities.

What changed after you graduated from Ignite?

Ignite was my entrance to the Software Testing World and prepared me with skills to pursue my path in this new field. As a result, in addition to doing freelance work for Testlio, I found a full-time job in the IT sector. Ignite definitely accomplished its purpose for me: it provided resources and connections to people who have faced challenges and have then been able to unlock a new career in the technology industry.

What are your specialties?

I am versatile in various QA areas, having experience in manual testing in web, mobile, and desktop platforms.

Why do you Give a Damn about testing?

Software testing is more than just making sure that the program works. The ultimate purpose of it is not to find bugs, but to make the product better. As a tester, I am contributing to improvements in the product’s quality, and therefore play an important role in shaping the company’s reputation and its audience’s experience. Furthermore, software testing is about understanding the customer. A tester is also the person who understands the customers’ needs and provides relevant information to the client, interprets how important the product is for the customer, and ultimately can think like the customer and work on the product.

How do you balance testing and personal life?

I am certain that it all comes down to having good time management skills and knowing what to prioritize. I now have a full-time job, freelance on projects with Testlio, and try to spend enough time with my family and friends. I plan my schedule ahead so I can avoid difficulties in my work-life balance.

What’s an interesting fact about yourself?

I am a former international football player who played in Estonia’s highest football league, Meistriliiga. I have also represented my country (the Republic of the Congo) several times in various international football competitions.

What are some of your favorite apps?

• Fox Sports
• Udacity
• Pimsleur

How would you encourage someone else who would benefit from Ignite to apply for the program?

I would tell them about my journey — where and who I was before, how Testlio’s Ignite program changed my professional life, and how that all contributes to the person I have become by now. That’s exactly what I did to convince one of my friends to participate in Ignite’s 2021 classes, and he is now a freelance tester at Testlio too!