We’d love a quick intro!
I am Magbule Bamja, a Quality Assurance (QA) Automation Engineer at Kin + Carta at our Prishtina Office. I joined in September 2023. I graduated with a degree in Textile Engineering from the Ege University in Turkey and earned a Master of Arts degree in Scenography and Costumography at the Prishtina University. Later, I decided to switch my career path and deep dived into Quality Assurance, and eventually graduated from Cydeo School with a degree in SDET (Software Development Engineering in Test).
Switching from the textile industry to software testing is a quite unique career path! Can you tell us a bit more about your journey?
Yes, while I was working in the textile industry, I was also already interested in exploring a career in engineering. A university friend of mine, who is a software developer in London, told me about Cydeo school and its excellent educational programs. Intrigued, I decided to give it a try as I always enjoy investing in education.
The journey was a "zero to hero" experience for me. In a short period, I learned a great deal about testing and various new tools from the SDET program. My detail-oriented nature fit perfectly with the nitty-gritty details required in testing, so I found my place as a QA Automation Engineer and became eager to continue and improve myself in this field.
Kin + Carta turned out to be a natural fit, as I had a great time with my interviewers and highly appreciated the work environment, so I was very happy when I received an offer, and here I am now, enjoying the ride.
What's a typical day like for you?
I usually start my day with the daily stand-up meeting, where we discuss the progress of current projects and plan our work for the day. Then I review the tasks in Jira and start working on automated test scripts, revising and executing them to identify bugs in the software. Throughout the day, I attend team meetings, collaborate with developers, and work on further improving testing frameworks. My work can also vary between documenting test cases and results, and generating reports to keep project stakeholders informed. I close my day off with reviewing the day's progress and preparing for the next day.
What makes you feel the most productive?
When I automate a complex test scenario or improve a script that’s already existing! It's very satisfying to streamline the testing process and increase efficiency. It’s also very fulfilling to debug scripts and optimize them - although it can be quite challenging, finally getting to resolve those pesky issues makes me feel quite proud of myself.
Additionally, taking dedicated time to upskill—whether through learning new testing tools, refining coding skills, or staying updated with industry trends—also boosts my productivity and ensures I'm continuously growing as a QA Automation Engineer.
Tell us a bit more about your current project? What are you working on and what’s the impact you are making?
My current project is fin-tech related. I'm focused on backend API testing as part of a comprehensive microservices migration effort, so we ensure the seamless integration and robust functionality of APIs critical to banking operations. I am testing and validating these APIs to enhance system scalability, performance, and reliability, and ultimately improve the banking experience for the end-users.
What do you do before a big release?
I believe it's crucial to perform thorough regression testing. This involves running all automated test suites to ensure that new features haven't introduced unexpected issues and that existing functionalities still work correctly. Additionally, together with the team we might also conduct performance testing in order to verify that the system can handle expected user loads without any system slowdowns and/or failures.
How do you deal with challenges you might face?
I like to switch to another task, do some research or read to let my brain relax a bit from the pressing issue. Distancing from a high-anxiety situation and progressing with other tasks brings back my confidence and starts up my creative thinking. Sometimes the solution presents itself and I feel ready to go back and face the challenge with renewed energy levels.
What skills are necessary for Quality Assurance Automation and what do people usually get wrong about it?
I’d say strong problem-solving abilities. This includes the ability to analyze complex systems, identify potential issues, and develop effective automated testing solutions to ensure software quality.
People often misunderstand QA Automation Engineers by assuming that automation eliminates the need for manual testing, which still remains a crucial part of the job. There's also the misconception that one tool can handle all testing needs, and that automated tests, once written, will always work perfectly and don’t need regular maintenance or changes.
What advice do you have for someone considering going into Quality Assurance?
It’s essential to build a strong foundation in software testing principles, learn fundamental programming skills, and gain hands-on experience starting with manual testing. Mastering automation techniques and developing strong problem-solving skills through real-world projects are crucial. As a note to all testers, keep in mind that you also have to build and maintain a collaborative relationship with developers - for any issues that come up, you work with them to define the problem and how to approach the fix.
What do you like most about the culture at Kin + Carta? Any special team ceremonies or office perks to call out?
Two of my favorite things are the collaboration and support, and the company’s approach towards growth and continuous learning. There’s consistent team work, whether it is the daily stand-ups, the regularly organized workshops and knowledge sharing platforms, or the sharing of ideas and resources with each other in joint channels. Additionally, getting to visit other Kin + Carta offices and hosting colleagues from the other offices is always a fun part of my work. Moreover, the diversity of projects and clients, team structures and new challenges always promotes upskilling, professional growth, and learning that makes me leave the office at the end of the week having learned new things and grown in some way.
I also enjoy our hybrid-model, as it offers the option to work from home when I need focused time, while still having the opportunity to connect with colleagues in the office for team meetings and collaborative projects.
As per team ceremonies, I especially appreciate the social events such as Social Thursdays that we organize monthly, or the birthday celebrations we have - I get to know my teammates in a more relaxed setting and create fun memories.
What's the most important thing you've learned at Kin + Carta?
The value of effective team distribution and calibration, and the fact that highly specialized people matched in the right way can create exponential value together. I feel like Kin + Carta excels in assigning individuals to the right projects, ensuring optimal fit and productivity, and considering the collaborative culture. This supportive environment has been crucial in my development as a QA Automation Engineer.
In your day-to-day life, what inspires you?
Always improving myself, growing, and developing. I also really enjoy traditional Albanian music for its emotive melodies and the cultural richness - the beautiful voice of Nexhmije Pagarusha makes me relax and always improves my mood. I also have a passion for languages and expression, as I am fluent in three languages and highly enjoy learning new ones!
