We present to you Risto Bozhinov, an alumni student from the software testing academy who works as a QA Automation Engineer at Proton Privacy. Read more about his experience so far and what it means to be a part of the mentoring team at the software testing academy!

Who is Risto Bozhinov?

I would say that I am persistent in things, and when I set a goal, I plan to fulfill it. In my spare time I like to explore the market and study the latest developments in the technological world, play a game of football with my friends, or go out for a drink. I always know how to take time to look up a course from which I could learn new things, or read a book. In the professional field I worked for 7 years as a customer care agent but I reached the desired position as a QA Automation Engineer in Proton.

Where did the desire for software testing come from and why exactly SEDC?

While I was researching in which field I could develop and progress, software testing turned out to be the most optimal opportunity in which I was sure that I would succeed and that I would not see the work purely as a job that I had to do, but as a job that I would love. How technology works and of course the quality of product delivery are the things that have always intrigued me, and that’s how I came to the decision for software testing. I can say that with curiosity, and my love for technology have brought me to this point in life, and according to many criteria, after a long market research and consultation with many friends who visited this type of academies, SEDC turned out to be the best choice. Of course, I can confirm this at any moment with various arguments, but also with my current professional progress.

What challenges did you face at the academy ?

In any respect, when I thought about enrolling in an academy for my further education and professional development, it was a challenge to be able to organize my time with my work and daily responsibilities. A good organization is always the biggest challenge. Of course, with enough dedication, everything was achieved, but in any respect, certain things would have to be sacrificed to reach the goal, and the biggest sacrifice is free time. At the end of the day, as software testers we must be organized ☺

Where are you employed and on what position?

Before the very end of the academy, I started with applications in search of a new position as a software tester. I knew that what I wanted to do was automated testing, so the search for the position took longer than expected, but in the end it was totally worth the effort. I am currently working as a QA Automation Engineer at Proton Privacy By Default. In addition, I got a job at SEDC as an assistant at the academy for software testers and had the opportunity to help a large number of students with the difficulties they were dealing with during their studies.

You were an assistant to the groups, and you’ll have a new role as a mentor. What does being part of this ecosystem mean to you?

To be honest, I never expected in my life that I would reach this level, to be able to spread knowledge about something that I love to do and do with love. With my experience as a customer care agent, I knew that the position as an assistant would be suitable, and the help I provided to the students was in order to better master the material and clarify things that were not clear enough, or maybe more complicated . The transition from assistant to mentor is an even bigger step that I am looking forward to and waiting for. What I have mastered and in which I have invested a lot of effort to do it with love, it will be a great pleasure for me to be able to share it with other students who would decide on that step and are ready to make changes in their life in the professional field . Of course, here I have to mention the entire SEDC team, without whom the academy could not have reached this level, thanks to teamwork and organization.

Tips&tricks for future software testers

As testers you should always be curious and ask questions about how things work, but that means if you don’t understand something, don’t be shy. I know that at the very beginning it may seem quite complicated, it is new, there are a large number of students who are totally changing their career, but if you put in enough effort, you will surely reach the desired position. The IT industry is an interesting and new world for a large part of new students, and the testers are the ones who make it possible to deliver a stable and quality product to the market.

Create your own success story through the Software Testing Academy!

Enrollments are ongoing, the next batch starts in May!