So today I’m writing Part II. Even though it’s no longer July 2 in New Zealand, it still is in Europe and the USA.

So I’m gonna roll with it and continue going into what I’ve learned in my first year.

7. There are people who are very keen on and some that are not so keen on ISTQB
When I sat the exam back in August 2012, I took it at face value and didn’t question its relevance, use, advantages and disadvantages. Later I discovered that there are appear to be a lot of people who are split on this qualification. I, myself, did appreciate learning the terminology – some of which we used in my first project.

8. That software testing can be split up to stages
E.G. User Acceptance Testing, Integration Testing, System Testing.
Before I started testing, I was fully under the impression that once the code is ready, the testers test the software, find some defects, get them fixed, then go-live.

9. The importance of being diplomatic at work
I remember being told time and time again when I first started to be diplomatic and not be rude when raising defects. Simply state the facts.

10. There are some testers that like finding defects
So maybe some testers like finding defects because it justifies the existence of their role – and that they are actually getting something done. But I’m also under the impression that there seem to be some people who just like finding mistakes in other people’s work.

11. Lastly, an eagerness to learn and be curious is very useful
Saying “What if?”
Thinking to myself “Wonder what happens if I did this?”
Asking other people “Are you sure this can’t happen in production? Let’s just try it and find out shall we.”