Role: Principal Software Tester
Company: Totalmobile
Track Record:
What does your job entail?
TotalMobile creates innovative mobile working solutions for major health trusts, council and private sector businesses.
For example, front-line NHS staff use our software on tablet computers to access and update information about patients on the move without the need for paperwork or to have to return to their office.
In the software quality team I am responsible for the release of our software. Our team of testers works alongside a team of software developers on new products and enhancing existing products.
I manage resources, prepare test data and test environments, plan and prepare for customer software releases, and liaise with the product owners. I’m also responsible for ongoing recruitment drives and we’re currently seeking to fill around 15 software development posts as well as five roles in other parts of the business.
Is it 9-5?
Usually, although I occasionally need to work extra hours, during busier release periods, to meet customer deadlines.
How did you get into this line of work?
After graduating from Queen’s I accepted a graduate job with a local company, Aepona, as a software developer. While working there I became involved with quality and testing work.
Outline your career to date?
At Aepona I moved across into the quality area within the first year. Unfortunately the company went through a number of redundancies so I took up a job at another company, CCC Technologies.
Not long after that the company folded business in Northern Ireland and I was looking for work again as a tester. Opportunity arose in Consilium Technologies (now TotalMobile) to join as a tester as there was no testing department at that time.
I’ve been working at TotalMobile for over 11 years and have moved through the ranks from software tester and test lead to become one of the company’s two principal software testers.
In that time I’ve seen the number of developers and testers steadily increase as we win more and more contracts in the health and government sectors.
Tell us about your qualifications/training.
While I studied for a BSc Hons in Computer Science and Business Admin at Queen’s University Belfast I completed a CISCO CCNA networking course as a side interest.
While I’ve been employed I’ve continued to keep my technical skills up to date as I believe it’s very important to invest in CPD. I’ve completed specialist industry courses including an ISEB Practitioners course in software testing when I was a test lead as well as an Agile testing course.
I’ve also undertaken an Institute of Leadership and Management Level 5 award which has helped me greatly in my career.
What qualities are required for your job — personal and professional?
Attention to detail is absolutely essential while analytical and problem solving skills, good decision making skills and being technically minded are also important. Like many jobs, excellent communication skills and being organised are also key.
What are the biggest challenges and rewards of your work?
There are tight deadlines for releasing software to the customer and we can be extremely busy in the run-up to this, but I find it very rewarding when we reach the point where we have a great software release.
It’s very satisfying to make products which help people do their job more effectively, especially when it comes to delivering frontline healthcare services.
I love the environment in which I work. TotalMobile is a very positive place and I’m fortunate to work alongside smart and motivated people.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Cycle, cycle, cycle! I’m an active member of the Women’s Cycling Ulster Road Bike League and also love club racing with Phoenix Cycling Club in Belfast. During race season I race on Tuesday evenings with my club and usually try to enter weekend ladies’ or open races when I can.
I’m on my bike up to five times a week covering up to 200 miles. I enjoy circuit training classes which supplement the cycling fitness.
I’m also on the Phoenix social committee, organising events like the club barbecue, and I’ve been recently been involved in the re-design of the new club kit.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.
Last year I won the Ulster Women’s Team Time Trial championships with my team mates from Phoenix Cycling Club in Belfast. In 2013 I also won the team prize in the Irish National Road Race Championships in Carlingford.
Who has inspired you most in your life?
I’m really inspired by Olympians Victoria Pendleton and Jessica Ennis-Hill. I admire their passion and the way they demonstrate that through sheer hard work and determination you can achieve your goals.