Elena Houser
Testing Leads To Self-Discovery
Tester Spotlight
- Location: United States
- Specialty: Functional; Web, Desktop, Mobile
- Experience: 9 years
- Languages: English, Russian
Being a software tester was Elena Houser’s destiny. After working in fields like international business, finance, the federal government and software development she stumbled into testing and continues to lead a serendipitous testing life.
“I worked for UUNet back in the day as a junior web developer. We had a shortage of testers so everyone on the team chipped in to help test,” she said. “During one of the system integration tests I found a serious design bug that had been in the system since the beginning. My development lead got upset at me and said I was cursed to be a tester. So I switched.”
From there she eventually fell in with testing guru James Bach, participated in one of his famous testing puzzles and reading his Testing the Limits interview on the uTest blog. She hasn’t looked back since.
“These were a turning point and a so-called sign from above that helped jumpstart my testing journey and to give uTest a shot,” she said. “It’s been a long journey of self-discovery for me but I now consider testing as both a job and a hobby. It is something that I cannot seem to get enough of doing.”
Elena joined uTest because it helps feed her ever constant desire to learn. Since joining in 2010 she’s added Android and iOS testing to her skills and has achieved gold tester and Test Team Lead statuses. She was also named the Top Android Tester in the 2011 uTester of the Year Awards.
“You really do get every conceivable type of testing experience here,” Elena said. “I have broadened my testing horizons to an unimaginable extent. I have participated in a wide variety of cycles and each of them has given me something I can use in my everyday testing. I have become quicker at finding bugs, more confident and see the bigger picture.”
In their own words...
On Being A New Tester:
“Once you join uTest try to learn and get comfortable with the uTest platform. It can be a challenge to navigate through initially. Utilize the uTest forum by reviewing and participating in various discussion threads and raising your hand for upcoming opportunities. You will become known within the community when you start contributing and helping other testers in various discussion threads.”
On Becoming A Top Tester:
“It’s not a quick or easy process and I did my share of grinding. Before I dove in I reviewed the tester resources on the platform which helped me better understand the system. The tester case studies and crash courses were extremely valuable. After that I pretty much just kept on accepting and working on any project that came my way and tried to be as consistent as possible.”
About Elena:
“In my spare time I like to game with my son and husband, especially MMORPGs and playing Xbox Kinect games. I also love to dance and take dance classes at a local studio and go clubbing on occasion. Dancing is great and fun exercise, and learning choreography is good for the brain.”
