I am Tetiana, and I would like to share the story of my first job experience in Toronto.
I arrived in Canada from Ukraine in May 2022, driven by the unfortunate outbreak of war in my home country. Prior to the war, I had been working as an HR manager, but I had recently completed full-stack developer courses and desired a career switch. After a decade of working with people, I felt burnt out and sought a profession where I could see tangible results, which led me to join web development courses. However, due to the circumstances at home, I couldn't embark on my new career path.
Making a difficult decision, I left everything behind and started fresh in Canada – a new continent, a new country, and a new field of work. After successfully passing my English exam at YMCA in Toronto, I had the opportunity to participate in the ELT program with ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø, which not only enhanced my English skills but also taught me essential skills such as creating resumes and cover letters, self-analysis, recognizing my professional strengths and weaknesses, understanding the interview process, and becoming acquainted with Canadian corporate culture. This knowledge proved crucial in securing my first job.
Upon completing the ELT program, I attended interviews with two different companies. Fortunately, I was offered a placement at Myant Inc., which served as a stepping stone toward realizing my dream of working in software development. I joined the validation and verification team, where my main responsibilities involved testing the final product against the specified requirements.
During my placement, I eagerly embraced every opportunity to learn and grow professionally. Working closely with experienced software testers, I absorbed their knowledge and gained hands-on experience in various testing methodologies, tools, and frameworks. My background in HR provided me with a unique perspective in understanding user requirements and ensuring software quality. Moreover, my passion for front-end development played a significant role in my success as a software tester. Having a strong understanding of web technologies and user interface design principles allowed me to effectively identify and report bugs, ensuring the software met the desired standards of functionality and user experience.
Through perseverance, dedication, and a commitment to continuous learning, I excelled during my placement, which ultimately led to a full-time position as a software tester. In my current role, I am responsible for testing software products, analyzing requirements, creating test cases, executing test plans, and providing valuable feedback to the development team. I constantly strive to improve my skills and stay up to date with the latest trends and practices in software testing to deliver high-quality products.
Reflecting on my journey, I take pride in the progress I have made. Transitioning from an HR professional to a software tester has brought about significant personal and professional growth beyond my initial expectations. My determination, adaptability, and willingness to seize opportunities have been the driving forces behind my success. Although the war disrupted my life in Ukraine, it also pushed me to explore new avenues and embark on a rewarding career in the tech industry.
I am grateful for the support and opportunities I have received from TBSD (Thomas Brown and Jennifer Kolins), and I am excited to continue my journey in software testing, contributing to the development of innovative and impactful software solutions.