The Growth Series [Part 1]: Can Conferences Enhance Your Skills as a Software QA Engineer?

In this blog post series, I aim to explore various methods and approaches for personal growth as a software QA engineer. I will personally test these methods and share my experiences, particularly highlighting any valuable insights that I might gained.

I frequently ask myself how I can enhance my skills as a QA manager/engineer. Staying informed about the latest technologies and trends in software testing can be achieved through various means. One such avenue is attending relevant conferences. After thorough research, my team and I decided to attend the Agile Testing Days Open Air conference in Cologne. The unique outdoor setting and interesting lineup of talks were the primary reasons behind our choice. Having recently returned from the conference, I would like to recount my experience and evaluate whether it justified the investment of time and money. Additionally, I intend to address the question of whether my participation in the conference contributed to my growth as a QA engineer.

The Idea

The primary objective of a conference is to create a space where professionals can convene and share their knowledge, ideas, and experiences. This is facilitated through activities such as attending talks, participating in workshops, and engaging in diverse sessions. Conferences strive to offer attendees opportunities for expanding their knowledge, or at least that’s what they claim. In the context of a software testing conference, the talks cover a broad spectrum of subjects, including emerging technologies, testing approaches, quality assurance strategies, test automation, performance testing, security testing, and beyond. However, it’s worth noting that conferences may also include discussions on personal development and motivational speeches, among other topics.

The Talks

The initial presentation at the conference typically features a keynote speaker who is an experienced professional in their respective field. However, it is common for the first speech to focus more on motivation and personal development rather than a detailed exploration of a specific topic. The same was true at the Agile TD Conference. Surprisingly, the first topic discussed was about gummy bears, yes, you read that correctly. The speaker drew a parallel between memory loss caused by stress and other factors and the concept of gummy bears getting stuck in your brain. While I appreciated the analogy, I must admit that the talk did not resonate with me. Nonetheless, I remained hopeful for more engaging and captivating topics in the following two days, and I was not disappointed.

During the subsequent days, I attended talks that explored various subjects including the significance of unit testing, data-driven testing, testing in artificial intelligence, and strategies for enhancing visibility as a tester. All of the presentations were highly engaging, and I particularly enjoyed the speakers’ ability to clearly articulate their ideas in an easily understandable manner. Now, the question arises: Did I acquire any new knowledge? Well, not exactly. Most of the concepts and topics discussed were not novel to me. However, I hadn’t previously heard their particular take on these subjects and how they presented them. This fresh perspective has the potential to alter one’s opinions or outlook on something they are already familiar with. Similarly, it can serve as a reminder of certain topics that may have been overlooked in the past, such as the importance of unit tests and the fact that even QA engineers can write them.

Naturally, not all the talks were of high quality. Some speakers lacked experience, resulting in less impressive presentations. In some cases, the slides accompanying the presentation were overloaded with excessive amounts of text. Therefore, it is important to be prepared for the possibility of encountering presentations that may not meet your expectations. However, there is a simple solution if you find yourself dissatisfied with what you are witnessing and hearing: just leave. While this may seem impolite, if you have no interest in the topic being discussed, there is no obligation to stay. In fact, some speakers themselves acknowledged this and encouraged attendees to prioritize their time and interests. You can explore other talks or workshops that align better with your preferences. A conference offers numerous opportunities, and it is worthwhile to seek out those that best suit your needs.

The Workshops

I must confess that I am not particularly enthusiastic about workshops. The concept of meeting strangers for the first time and engaging in activities like constructing sculptures with wooden sticks to showcase the importance of teamwork doesn’t really appeal to me. However, I was curious to see if the workshops at this conference offered a different and potentially more engaging experience.

Certainly, there were numerous workshops available, but the ones I participated in proved to be highly educational and laid-back. The first workshop focused on effective testing in agile environments. Rather than a structured training session, it fostered a group discussion where participants had the opportunity to share their own experiences and insights, without any pressure to do so. The atmosphere was delightful, and I found it fascinating to hear about the practices and workflows of QA engineers from different companies.

I also participated in another workshop, which delved into the realm of AI testing and testing in AI. Given my keen interest in the subject, I was intrigued to see what the workshop would entail. During the session, we engaged in an extensive discussion about various types of machine learning and their underlying mechanisms. Subsequently, we embarked on a practical exercise involving training our own computer vision model and devising a robust testing strategy for it. I must confess that I thoroughly enjoyed this workshop as it struck a balance between informational presentations and hands-on exploration. It prompted me to contemplate designing workshops on different software testing topics myself. Consequently, my perception of workshops has undergone a shift to some extent. I now realize that there can be workshops that align more closely with my personal expectations.

The Network

I frequently come across the notion that building a strong network is crucial for career advancement. Consequently, networking is recognized as a valuable skill for expanding opportunities and knowledge. It makes perfect sense to consider a conference as an ideal setting for networking, as it brings together like-minded individuals who share common interests and goals.

Each morning, a designated time and area were dedicated to what they called a “lean coffee” session. Despite the absence of actual coffee, the place was bustling with numerous individuals. While this might be intimidating for some, the concept behind it is rather appealing. The networking hours provided a unique opportunity to interact with speakers as well. Sometimes, initiating conversations with strangers can be challenging, but having a large table where one can simply sit and listen, and choose to engage in the conversation if desired, made the whole experience a little more approachable. As a result, I had discussions with fellow QA colleagues on various topics, predominantly revolving around software testing and the subjects covered in the talks. I found some of the conversations enjoyable and even made new connections on LinkedIn. However, one might question whether the effort invested in such networking sessions truly pays off.

I must confess that it is difficult to provide a definitive answer to that question. Let me clarify, the individuals I met were pleasant, and I would certainly attend these networking events again. However, it is worth noting that most of the people I encountered hailed from the Netherlands, Germany, and Canada — countries that I don’t consider for work opportunities. Nevertheless, one never knows what the future holds. Moreover, one could view these networking events as valuable opportunities to improve their verbal communication skills and learn how to effectively present oneself. Rather than simply adding a multitude of strangers to your social media accounts, consider utilizing these events as a means to gain insights into effective communication strategies.

The Venue

Lastly, I’d like to discuss the setting in which the conference took place. As depicted in the picture, it was far from your typical conference environment. Instead of being confined to a stuffy hotel with limited fresh air, it was held outdoors. Not just outdoors, but on a beach! Admittedly, from a technical standpoint, it wasn’t an actual beach but rather an area beside a lake where sand was spread. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the entire venue. If you weren’t in the mood for a talk, you could grab a drink and relax in the sun for a while. It may sound like an unconventional suggestion, but if you ever have the chance, I highly recommend attending an open-air conference. It creates a delightful atmosphere and sets a positive mood.

The Conclusion

There are numerous conference options available each year, providing individuals with a wide range of choices. Personally, I must admit that I had a delightful time at the conference. I had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people and listen to intriguing perspectives on various topics. While I can’t say that I learned something entirely new, the conference served as a valuable reminder of certain software testing subjects that had slipped my mind. Additionally, my perspective on workshops underwent a transformation. I discovered that participating in a workshop can be an enjoyable experience and yield fresh insights. However, I haven’t mentioned the cost aspect. This particular conference spanned three days and had a price tag of 1199€. That’s undeniably a significant sum of money! While the conference did include complimentary food and beverages throughout the day, it remains a considerable financial commitment. Personally, if I were responsible for covering the expenses myself, I would hesitate to attend. Thankfully, my company covered the costs, which made it more feasible for me to participate.

So, what’s the conclusion? Should everyone attend conferences as much as possible? In my opinion, I had a genuinely enjoyable time at the conference and found most of the talks to be engaging. If your company is willing to cover the costs, I would seize the opportunity. Attending a conference allows you to meet individuals from around the world with diverse backgrounds in software testing. While you may not acquire a significant amount of new technical knowledge or specific QA improvements, you can learn from people’s experiences and gain insights that cannot be found in books or obtained through certifications. Therefore, if you have an interest in connecting with others and hearing their stories and solutions, a conference is the right choice for you.