Interview with Ahnaf Zaman, Sulzer US Software QA Engineer
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I am a QA engineer and I have been working in this capacity for the last 6 years. My job is to make sure that the product provided by a company meets the quality standard requirements. Here at Sulzer US, I am working on an exciting project supporting development of a native iOS and Android application which enables electric vehicle drivers to charge their cars at electric stations across the U.S (and eventually in their homes). My experience includes manual and automation testing for web and mobile applications. In my free time, I am pursuing an advanced degree in Computer Engineering.
What influenced you to pursue a career in IT?
My interest in the subject influenced my decision to pursue this career. I started off as an Electrical Engineering major in college and discovered this field by chance when I met someone from the field who came to the rescue when a project, I was working on ran into some issues. I was amazed at how his skills helped to save the day and started looking into it. I quickly discovered my love for programming through an Introduction to Programming class, and that is when I knew that would be the right career for me!
What (or who) inspires you in this career?
Something that inspires me in this field is the opportunity to always learn something new. IT is a field where constant learning is necessary for growth as it is a quickly evolving field. I love exploring new tools and technologies, and I believe a career in IT is perfect for that.
What is one advice you would give to other women pursuing a career in this field?
My advice would be to never give up! There is a lot to learn, and it is ok to not always get it right the first time (it happens to everyone!) One thing I have learned is that it is not always possible to get everything right on the first try and failure teaches us a lot more then success, so perseverance is very important. This field also has various opportunities, and we certainly need more women in it!
When you dream about future opportunities or possibilities – what do you aspire towards?
I have always wanted to contribute to society through my work as an IT professional. The work I am doing currently affords me the knowledge and experience to build upon in the future. I look forward to continuing on this journey and working to inspire others who come into the field.
In the last installment of our Women in Tech Spotlight Series meet Venus Yu, a Full Stack Developer by day, craft artist and musician in her free time. Venus shares an honest and reflective experience on how she discovered a passion for software development, and where fellow women techies can focus their energies when pursuing a career in the IT field.
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