Lisa’s story is one of unexpected twists, perseverance, and finding her place in the tech world. From initially choosing a career in advertising and marketing to discovering a passion for software testing, her journey showcases how sometimes the best paths are the ones we never planned.
Like many students, Lisa faced the classic dilemma of choosing a career path in her final year of school. At the time, she believed that working in IT required an exceptional level of technical knowledge—something she wasn’t sure she possessed. Instead, she opted to study advertising and marketing, a field she thought would be more about creativity and less about technical problem-solving.
However, by the time she graduated, she realised that marketing wasn’t for her. Unsure of what to do next, Lisa took a job managing an Instagram-based online store selling cosmetics and jewellery. While it was her first experience working remotely, she felt unfulfilled and without clear direction.
Lisa’s transition into tech wasn’t entirely her own idea—it was a friend who was a developer, who encouraged her to explore opportunities in IT. At first, she was hesitant, believing she wasn’t “techy” enough to succeed. But after much persuasion, she took the leap and enrolled in a QA (Quality Assurance) course at a school in Kharkiv.
“I went in with wide, scared eyes, not understanding anything,” Lisa recalls. “But I quickly realised that everyone else felt the same way.”
The three-month course provided her with a solid foundation, covering the fundamentals of testing from scratch. By the end of the course, she had her diploma and, more importantly, the confidence to pursue a career in QA.
Determined to land a job while her newly acquired skills were still fresh, Lisa began applying for positions immediately. Despite receiving multiple rejections, she persevered, and within two weeks, she secured her first role at a company called Devika.
“I was so nervous, but the moment I stepped into that office, I knew I had made the right choice,” Lisa says.
Her first project was challenging, pushing her to learn essential tools like Postman and other QA software. Despite limited guidance, she adapted quickly, proving her ability to navigate the demanding world of software testing.
One major advantage Lisa had was her strong English skills. Having studied the language extensively, she found it easy to communicate in an industry where English proficiency is often a barrier.
After a year at Devika, Lisa set her sights on a new challenge—leading her to Ivy Tech, where she was placed at Paydock, a long-term Ivy Tech client based in Australia and the UK. She has now been working with Paydock for three years.
At Paydock, Lisa has grown into a highly skilled QA professional. She enjoys the fast-paced nature of her work but admits that one of the biggest challenges has been communicating with international colleagues.
“I wasn’t afraid of technical challenges. If you don’t know something, you can always learn. But speaking English in high-pressure situations—especially with native speakers—was nerve-wracking at first.”
Despite her initial fears, Lisa has become more confident over time. Still, she admits that she occasionally feels nervous before important calls. Her advice to others facing similar challenges? “Practice, push through the fear, and remind yourself that mistakes are part of the learning process.”
As a woman in tech, Lisa has encountered stereotypes—especially around QA roles. One of the most common misconceptions she’s faced is that testers are “less skilled” than developers or that testing is just a stepping stone rather than a legitimate career.
“There’s this belief that developers don’t like testers because we find their mistakes,” Lisa laughs. “But I’ve found that good teams respect each other’s roles. A strong tester knows a product inside out—sometimes even better than the developers.”
Beyond QA, Lisa has also faced challenges as a woman in a male-dominated industry. At her first company, she was one of only a handful of women in a team of over a hundred employees. Early on, she felt pressure to prove herself, worried that any mistake would reinforce gender biases.
“There was this unspoken expectation that I had to work twice as hard just to be taken seriously,” she says. “At first, it made me anxious, but over time, I learned that my work speaks for itself. The best way to break stereotypes is to simply be great at what you do.”
Lisa has also observed the flip side of sexism—being treated differently simply for being a woman in tech. “Sometimes, I’d get extra help or more leniency from male colleagues, which didn’t always feel right either,” she reflects. “The goal should be equal treatment, not special treatment.”
She strongly believes in creating more inclusive workplaces where women feel supported and encouraged to advance in their careers. “Having more women in leadership positions makes a difference,” she says. “Seeing women thrive in tech makes it easier for others to follow.”
When asked about her future aspirations, Lisa reflects on a dream that’s unrelated to QA: becoming a gaming streamer.
“I love playing games, and I’ve even built the perfect setup for streaming. But I keep hesitating,” she admits. “Maybe one day, I’ll push myself to actually start.”
Professionally, Lisa hopes for continued growth and a well-deserved salary increase. As the only QA in her current team, she carries a significant workload, and she wants to see that effort recognised.
For those considering a career in QA, Lisa offers simple but valuable advice: “Start sooner. Don’t let fear hold you back. And remember, you don’t need to know everything at once—you just need to be willing to learn.”
Lisa’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and adaptability. If you’re considering a career shift into tech, take the leap—you never know where it might lead.
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