Symphony Persona: Josephneke Etieno

At Symphony Solutions we strive to create an inclusive environment with opportunities for professional and personal growth. We stand firmly by our commitment to gender parity in the workplace and do what it takes to discover and encourage tech talent. Symphonian Josephneke Etieno, Test Engineer at Symphony Solutions, celebrated her first workiversary and shared her personal experience working as a woman in tech, talked about her favorite part of the job and what interesting challenges she gets to tackle in projects, and pondered on the topic of inspiring girls from a young age to consider careers in IT.

1.You recently celebrated your one-year anniversary at Symphony Solutions. What has been your experience ?

I have worked at Symphony for a year now and I am proud of the progress I have made in my job, both in terms of personal growth and professional development. During this time, I have gained new skills and knowledge, fostered strong relationships with the company’s client and my colleagues, and also had opportunities for career advancement within the company. I feel supported and appreciated by the company culture and have maintained a healthy work-life balance throughout my stay. As a QA Engineer, I have felt motivated and fulfilled in my role, knowing that my contributions have made a positive impact on the company’s success. 

2.Who or what inspired you to become a Software Tester? 

I love to tackle challenges and figure out why certain things do not work correctly. Also, knowing that my work directly affects the lives of countless individuals, even if they are unaware of it, is immensely inspiring to me. I appreciate the opportunities for creative and innovative problem-solving, as I enjoy exploring unconventional solutions to challenges. Ultimately, the thrill of the process of breaking things and the satisfaction of overcoming those challenges is what draws me to this field. 

3.What does your typical day at work look like? 

My day usually starts with a quick check of my emails and messages to ensure that I am aware of any issues that may require my immediate attention. Next, I attend a team meeting to discuss ongoing projects, prioritize tasks, and establish goals for the day. 

Once I have a clear idea of what needs to be accomplished, I begin testing software applications and writing detailed reports on any issues I encounter. This often involves running automated tests, reviewing code, and manually testing features and functionality to identify any bugs or defects. 

In addition to testing, I also collaborate with developers, product managers, and other team members to identify potential areas for improvement in our software development processes. 

4.What is the most interesting part of your job? 

The most interesting part of my job is the problem-solving aspect. The process of identifying, analysing, and resolving issues and bugs in software applications is both challenging and rewarding. It requires a combination of technical knowledge, critical thinking, and creativity, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with other members of my team. A very interesting thing about my job is that it is never the same day twice, never boring. I have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects and applications. This keeps the work fresh and exciting, as each application presents unique challenges and opportunities for learning and growth which broadens my perspective and helps me to develop a more well-rounded skill set. 

5.In the last one year at Symphony Solutions, what is the most challenging project you have worked on? 

In the last year at Symphony Solutions, one of the most challenging projects I have worked on was a website migration for an iGaming technology client. The client had a complex and highly customized website, with multiple pages, features, and integrations. The goal of the migration was to transfer the website to a new platform while ensuring that all the existing functionalities were working correctly. One of the biggest challenges we faced was ensuring that user data was migrated securely without any loss of information. 

6.How has working at Symphony Solutions helped you grow professionally and personally? 

Working at Symphony solutions has had a significant impact on my professional and personal growth. Professionally, I have gained a wealth of experience and knowledge in my field as a QA Engineer, which has allowed me to take on new and more challenging projects, and to become a more effective and efficient member of my team. Symphony Solutions has a strong culture of diversity and inclusivity, which has helped me grow in my understanding and appreciation of different cultures, perspectives, and ways of thinking. 

Personally, working at Symphony Solutions has also helped me grow in many ways. For instance, I have learned how to balance my work and personal life effectively, by setting clear boundaries and managing my time more efficiently. 

7.What has been your experience working in a male-dominated industry? 

Working in a male-dominated industry has provided me with a unique opportunity to be a trailblazer and a role model for other women in the field. It has challenged me to be more assertive, confident, and vocal about my ideas and opinions. Over time, I have learned to navigate the challenges of working in a male-dominated industry by focusing on my strengths and skills. 

It has also been a source of personal growth, empowerment, and pride for me as a female engineer. I am hopeful that my experiences, along with those of other women in the industry, will continue to pave the way for greater gender diversity and equality in the tech world. 

8.The diversity in your experience suggests that you read a lot. What do you most enjoy and recommend? 

I don’t read as much as I would like to, but I do enjoy reading when I have the time. I find that I tend to read more when I’m interested in a particular topic or genre. 

9.Which of your successes are you most proud of? 

One of the successes I am most proud of is my ability to help and support others in their personal and professional growth. As a person who is passionate about helping others grow and succeed, I take great pride in seeing the impact of my efforts on the people around me. Investing in people and helping them to achieve their potentials has been immensely fulfilling for me. 

10.What’s the biggest factor that has helped you be a successful woman in technology?  

As a woman working in technology, I have found that the biggest factor that has helped me to be successful is being surrounded by people who support and encourage me in my career. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work with colleagues and mentors who have been instrumental in my growth and development as a professional. Also, seeing other successful women in technology has shown me that it is possible to succeed in a field that is traditionally male dominated. 

11.What do you do in your free time, to unwind after work? 

I enjoy spending my free time relaxing and unwinding in solitude. One of my favourite ways to do this is by surfing the internet. I find it a great way to escape from the pressures of work and to explore my interests in a low-pressure environment. 

12.How do you motivate yourself? 

One of the most important ways that I motivate myself is by setting clear goals and benchmarks for my work. I find that having specific targets to work towards helps me stay focused and motivated, as I can see the progress that I am making towards achieving those goals. I also make sure to celebrate my successes and milestones along the way. 

13.Tell us a fun fact about yourself. Perhaps a secret talent you have? 

Well, I’m not sure if this is a “fun” fact, but I like to tell people that I swim like a fish… or at least, I thought I did until I entered my first swimming competition and realized I was more of a fish out of water! 

14.You are also a Test Coach. What is that like? 

As a Test Coach, I have the opportunity to work with a wide range of individuals and teams, helping them to improve their testing skills and knowledge. My role as a coach is to provide guidance, support, and feedback to help testers become more effective and efficient in their work. 

15.If you could, how would you promote a career in technology to young girls? 

As a woman who has pursued a career in technology, I believe that it is important to encourage and inspire young girls to consider careers in this field. If I have the opportunity to promote a career in technology to young girls, I would focus on breaking down some of the common misconceptions and stereotypes that may deter girls from pursuing technology career, provide positive role models and mentors, provide access to education, resources and training, and encourage girls to explore their passions and interests in order to make a positive impact in the world. 

We invite you to learn more about Symphonians! Check out some of our previous Symphony Personas interviews.