How two decisions changed my life!!!

This story started ten years ago. It was July 2006 and a fresh batch of engineering graduates were stepping into the corporate world. After a fortnight of training on concepts of quality, domain specific knowledge, they were now expected to hunt bugs. Each one of them had different strengths and they complimented each other well. Everything was going as per plan. The recruiters were happy, the new employees were learning and enjoying the pay checks.

There were many emails circulated everyday and one such email was about a software testing workshop which focused on being hands-on rather than learn theoretically. This email was the talk of the lunch table and many refused to part with a quarter of their monthly income for this one day workshop. Soon the talk shifted to more interesting topics aka Cricket and movies for the weekend. I took my next bite and kept mum. The next day, I emailed my manager for sponsorship and there was no reply. I attended the workshop.

After attending the workshop, one key lesson I learned was to practice testing. How to practice testing? How does one get started?
Then the idea struck!!!
What if we become a Beta Tester?

The search for beta testing opportunities began and one such website inviting beta testers was 99Tests. It was not yet up and running. I registered and totally forgot about it. One fine day, an email popped up and it read: Interested to join a test cycle? Testers are curious beings and I clicked on it.

There was a testing contest and I could see some of my friends already registered and filing bugs. The competition bug took over me and I won the contest. The next contest, I came in second and the reputation points showed the difference between the winners — 6 points.

The wait for the next contest began. Contest after contest, the competition increased and I learned a lot about myself, my testing skills and the thought process of other testers. Soon, I was one of the top testers at 99Tests.
Fast forward to 2011: a company wanted to hire 99Tests and they wanted to start with a pilot project for a month. They were into mobile device management and it was new for both 99Tests and me. I was selected to test and convince the company to extend the project for six months for five testers. God had other plans.

The company management liked my reports and they hired me. I worked there for four years and I learned a lot about MDM, startup culture and how to release quality products quickly. I realised how happy employees outperform others and contribute to the company’s success. It was soon acquired by a big giant and it was time for me to move on.

There were only two options: Join another MNC or work with a startup.

The choice was easy and straightforward. I picked the latter and here I am at 99Tests writing this post. Ten years down the line, I have made more mistakes, learned a lot and made many friends than I ever thought I would. Two decisions — Attend the workshop and Join 99Tests have changed my life for the better.

Keeping aside the monetary benefits, I am more at peace nowadays. My dreams have grown and there are multiple paths ahead. The easy ones and the hard ones. I move on. Will you be interested to join me in the journey?
If yes, sign up at 99Tests and we will create magic together.

Do remember, its always the small decisions which make a big impact on our lives. See you soon.