From QA to Software Engineer in test: an accelerating journey

In this talk, Dimitra Chatzigianni reflects on her career evolution from manual QA to software engineer in test, drawing from her experience at Agile Actors and Austrian Post. She describes how her background in software engineering helped bridge the gap between testing and development, enabling her to become more integrated within dev teams. 

By embracing curiosity, collaborating closely with developers, and continuously learning—through courses, certifications, and practical experience—she gradually shifted from manual testing to automation, gaining confidence and technical expertise along the way.

Dimitra also explores the similarities and differences between manual and automation testing, noting that while both aim to ensure software quality and require thoughtful test design, they differ significantly in execution, speed, scalability, and consistency. She emphasises that automation testing allows for greater efficiency and reliability, especially when integrated into pipelines, while manual testing offers flexibility and creative exploration of edge cases. 

To those looking to make a similar shift, Dimitra advises building a strong foundation in a programming language, choosing tools that inspire you, and growing through hands-on experience and persistent curiosity.