The Path to QA Engineering: How I Got Here and Why I Stayed?

Nikola's journey into Quality Assurance (QA) Engineering is a testament to the power of curiosity and the pursuit of passion. With a solid academic foundation in Computer Systems from the Technical University of Sofia, Nikola’s early interest in technology evolved into a clear career path. Initially drawn to the developer roles introduced to him in university, he later grew an interest in QA courses—a commonly overlooked field—after they were recommended by a friend. By possessing a knack for spotting issues and developing hands-on experience in this field, Nikola discovered that QA Engineering perfectly aligned with his skills and interests. This interview delves into his academic background, the misconceptions he overcame, his daily life as a QA Engineer and the reasons why he would choose this path again. Read on to gain valuable insights and advice if you’re considering a career in QA.

Can you share a bit about your academic background? Did you always see yourself in tech?

I studied Computer Systems in German at the Technical University of Sofia, where I was introduced to various programming languages, including C#, Python and Haskell. Some of these we explored in depth, while others we only touched briefly. But overall, it gave me a strong foundation and helped me understand what programming is really about. That experience played a big role in helping me decide whether I wanted to pursue a career in tech.

From early on, I had a strong interest in technology. Over the years, that interest grew into a certainty - it became clear to me that working in tech is what brings me the most fulfillment. At one point, I was curious about the hardware side of things, but I ultimately decided to stick with the path that I was already on because I saw more potential in what I was studying at the university.

How did you learn about the QA Engineering profession and what made you choose it?

A close friend of mine mentioned they were taking QA courses, which caught my interest. At university, the focus was mostly on developer roles, so I hadn’t heard about other career paths in tech. The more I learned, the more I realized that QA suited me perfectly, as it involves bug investigation, keen attention to detail and a bit of out-of-the-box thinking. Even as a student, I enjoyed spotting issues on websites and trying to glitch the games we played just to see what would happen. Eventually, I decided to give the course a shot. After completing it, I knew for certain that this was what I wanted to do for a living.

Were there any misconceptions about QA that you believed before starting in the field?

I wouldn’t say there were any unpleasant surprises after I started practicing QA. If anything, there was a pleasant surprise. I had assumed that over time, constantly looking for problems in different applications or websites might become repetitive or boring. But in reality, the work is incredibly dynamic. Every day is different from the previous one and this variety has kept the job consistently interesting.

Tell us about your daily life and how you collaborate with developers and other teams.

Programming plays a big part in a QA's daily life. I use C# to write automated tests and XAML to work with our components. It’s truly satisfying to see the automated tests that you’ve written start working and looking to catch potential problems in the future. As a QA, I also utilize various testing tools such as Appium to execute UI tests. Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in DevOps tasks. I work closely with developers and other teams on a daily basis and we’re always learning from each other, which enriches us even more. I’m fortunate to work in a supportive and friendly environment, surrounded by great professionals, which makes the job productive and enjoyable.

If you could go back and choose again, would you still pick QA? Why?

Definitely! I truly feel like I'm in the right place, doing something I'm both good at and passionate about. The most important thing is that beyond the work itself, I feel appreciated and valued for what I do and contribute.

What kind of person thrives in QA engineering?

Someone who has a strong desire to improve the quality of a product will thrive in QA. To do that effectively, you’ll need sharp attention to detail, strong critical thinking skills and a healthy dose of unconventional thinking to spot what others might overlook. Finally, a passion for learning and self-development is also essential. QA is a highly dynamic and fast-evolving field, so staying up-to-date with the latest tools, trends and best practices is crucial for success.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in QA?

Don't hesitate too much. If you’re creative and want to build innovative test scenarios to catch bugs, this job is perfect for you. The profession offers many benefits, the most important being the opportunity to work with the newest technologies and explore various technical areas, which will help unlock your full potential. Before you know it, you’ll become a valuable part of the team.