Thrill of the unknown
Flash Interview with Susete Neiva
Meet Susete
C — What destination have you travelled to that best describes Celfocus? Why?
SN — A professional experience is also a journey. Being Portuguese, I would compare Celfocus to Thailand.
Thailand is a very popular country for those who want to venture out of Europe for the first time. Thailand has a very attractive offer, from the beaches and paradise islands to the rich cultural heritage and, most importantly, it offers security. All this allows the country to have a significant international expression.
Celfocus is a company that invests in young talent, every year it welcomes many new graduates because it is equally attractive to those who want to start their professional journey. It offers the possibility to experience various technological areas, as well as business ones. It is a solid company that conveys security, a differentiating criterion when starting our first trip.
Thais are known to be hospitable and welcoming; Thailand is often called the "Land of Smiles". At Celfocus, those who arrive are often impressed by our receptive and welcoming spirit, which makes us want to stay longer. Celfocus received me that way and I've been here for over 10 years.
C — As a professional working in Quality, how do you deal with things that go wrong in the services or things you use?
SN — Well, I ask why around five times, to see if I could have done something different to avoid that scenario. It turns out that in some situations, it's completely out of my reach. One of the things I tend to do in these situations is to formalize and share my feedback.
I've already been in the role of Product Owner and I know how unfair it is sometimes, realizing difficulties that didn't come to us so they could be resolved. Sometimes we tend to see a service malfunctioning and live with it because we think that “obviously they know that, but they don't correct or change it” which is not always true.
So, for me, the first step is sharing structured feedback and listening. Look around, see who can help me. Don't be ashamed to ask for help – surely someone will bring me a different prism or approach.
If I'm travelling, I try to be creative as much as possible in looking for alternatives and add a touch of humour in all situations. After all, being a traveller means being an everyday problem solver!
C — After your tablet battery runs out, what other fun things can you do on a long plane ride? Describe your recipe for success.
SN — Nothing more fun than meeting the neighbours!
On a long plane ride, there’s a chance to sit alongside locals. If that’s the case, I take the opportunity to know a little more about the culture before landing. It's always a step forward to arrive at the hostel and say “hello, I have a reservation” in Mandarin!
You may meet interesting people and make useful contacts. It can be the difference between having a boring or a fun time. On one of my trips to Morocco, I got into a conversation with two passengers who lived in London. I started asking them if they had ever visited Portugal. They were reticent in the answer because they came for a special occasion and had only known a small village nobody knows. Guess what: it was mine! Could this be a coincidence?
C — A trip to an exotic destination always has unforeseen events... What fun could that be? Please answer without forgetting your perspective on Quality.
SN — One of the things that is essential in the Quality area, and which is native to me, is the taste for analysing failures, and identifying their root cause, in order to implement corrective actions that prevent future occurrences.
A bug is an unforeseen event! Unforeseen events are not ideal, but when we already have some experience in the field (context and previous knowledge), we are undoubtedly better prepared to deal with them.
Carrying at least two ATM cards, a hotspot device, and an extra battery are corrective actions that are now part of my travel kit. I'm better prepared today to deal with an unexpected power cut or the ATM not accepting Visa cards. I'll let you imagine the rest of the story…
C — For you, what is the most fun part of a trip: the Before, During or After? Comment with examples.
SN — For sure the “During” phase: the exploratory part! (Any testers out there who don't love exploratory testing?)
At the end of 2021, I did a trip to Mexico with an old friend. We know each other well, so we spent about 30 minutes planning a 1 month trip. We just knew that we were going to land and come back from Mexico City and that Baja California would be a nice state to visit. We ended up meeting other travellers and exchanging experiences, which resulted in a complete change in our itinerary. We spent a few days in a jungle, and we went on an express trip to Guatemala, while Baja California remains on the backlog. It was one of the best trips of my life and could never have been planned.
The thrill of the unknown is amazing!
C — If you had to describe the most fun thing about your job, what would it be? And what drives you the most
SN — The most fun thing about my job as a QA is the opportunity to explore different scenarios!
The exposure to different technologies and business domains keeps the job dynamic and stimulating. It allows me to continuously learn and expand my knowledge while delivering high-quality products to users.
A driving force behind my job is for sure the ability to travel while working. Being able to work remotely from different locations allows me to experience new cultures, meet new people, and gain a fresh perspective on my work.