Company
Date Published
Author
Rebecca Cramer
Word count
945
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

Abby Bangser is a key contributor to the testing community, speaking frequently at industry events, developing educational content, and mentoring up-and-coming testers. She initially planned to become a developer but decided software testing was a better fit for her skills, personality, and interests. Abby considers herself a "tester by choice," which is also the name of her blog. She learned that QA is about delivering quality to end users, not just looking for bugs, and developed a keen interest in working on products where fellow engineers are the users. As a woman in technology, Abby has experienced sexism but has also found supportive communities like Speak Easy and the Ministry of Testing, which have offered her opportunities to grow. She is proud of her accomplishments, including co-developing workshops with Lisa Crispin, introducing new ways of thinking, and mentoring others. Abby has learned from many people in the industry, including those who have started organizations that promote diversity and inclusion. Her advice for younger self or mentees is to learn how to learn effectively, be aware of burnout, and prioritize self-care.