Testing Strategies From Life Lessons: Q&A with Priyangka

What if the secret to better software testing wasn't found in a textbook, but in marriage?

Priyanka discovered that the communication skills she developed as a wife directly translated into becoming a more effective tester.

From catching payment bugs in fintech to ensuring smooth travel experiences in transportation, her personal life has shaped her professional approach in unexpected ways.

In this interview, she reveals how real-world experiences influence her testing mindset and shares practical insights from working across multiple industries.

Here's what we explored together:

• How marriage taught her essential testing skills, like avoiding assumptions and seeking clarity
• Her journey from accidental web developer to certified software tester
• Lessons learned from testing across fintech, banking, and transportation industries
• Why personal user experiences keep her grounded as a tester
• How AI has become her testing sidekick (but not replacement)
• Her favourite tools and resources for staying sharp in the field

Let's get into it!

What drew you to software testing?

I got into software testing during my internship. I was hired as a web developer, but since the company was small, I had to test my own code too, which, looking back, was probably scarier than letting someone else test it.

That's where I picked up the basics.

It was later, during my Master's research on HCI and usability, that I realised testing was something I enjoyed, and I got certified.

So it wasn't a lightbulb moment, more like a slow burn where I kept leaning closer and closer to testing until I thought, "Okay, this is my thing."

What’s your current role?

I work as a software tester at a transportation company in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, and my day usually begins with standups, then JIRA takes over.

I write test cases for new features, jump into requirement discussions with BAs and devs, and retest bugs.

What I like most is knowing that when I catch an issue, I'm saving users from the headache of having to face it. It feels good to know I've made someone's day just a bit smoother, even if they'll never know I'm the one behind it.

That's the part that motivates me!

Has anything in your personal life influenced how you approach testing?

Definitely.

Being married, for example, has influenced how I test. In a relationship, you learn that assumptions don't always go well; you need to ask questions, clarify, and try to understand from the other person's perspective. It’s the same with testing.

If I assume requirements are clear, or if I only test from one angle, things slip through. Marriage taught me patience, communication, and perspective-taking, all of which come in handy as a tester.

Every day life plays a role too.

For example, when I shop online, I can't help but notice usability flaws. If a button isn't responsive or the flow feels clunky, I immediately think, "This is bad UI." My personal experiences as a user keep me grounded; they remind me that behind every feature, there's a person who just wants things to work.

That perspective helps me approach testing with empathy."

How has working in different industries affected your testing approach?

I’ve worked in fintech, banking, and now transportation, and each industry came with its own lessons.

In fintech, I worked on BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) projects, where accuracy and reliability were the priorities. If a payment doesn’t go through properly, users get frustrated, and since it involves money, the stakes are huge. That experience taught me how important it is to think about edge cases, timing, and ensure every flow works smoothly.

In banking, I was more on the UAT (User Acceptance Testing) side, which made me realise banking as a domain wasn’t really my cup of tea because I couldn’t relate to it much. But it taught me patience and how to collaborate with business users who view systems differently from testers.

In transportation, I enjoy the work more because I can directly relate to the impact it has. If the system works well, people can travel smoothly, which gives me more motivation as a tester.

Moving across these industries has helped me adapt my approach depending on the domain, whether the priority is precision with money, compliance in banking, or usability in transportation.

Has AI influenced how you work?

Oh yes, a lot.

I use it to brainstorm test cases, refine my emails so they don't sound too robotic, and sometimes to catch gaps in requirements. It helps speed up repetitive work, which gives me more time to focus on exploratory testing.

But I see AI more as a sidekick. It makes me sharper and faster, but it can't replace the tester's critical thinking.

The tester mindset is still what drives good testing.

What are your favourite software testing tools and resources?

My go-to tools are JIRA for bug tracking and project management, and MagicPod, which I like because it’s a beginner-friendly no-code tool that makes automation less intimidating.

For resources, I follow Synapse QA closely for their content and insights, and I also engage with LinkedIn testing communities. I find LinkedIn especially useful because testers share real-world experiences there, and sometimes you learn more from those short posts than from a long article.

I also try to attend conferences whenever possible.

I enjoy hearing how other testers solve problems; It gives me fresh perspectives and ideas I can apply in my work.

Key Takeaways:

• Personal life experiences improve testing skills
• Cross-industry experience helps adapt testing approaches to different domains
• AI is a valuable sidekick that speeds up work, but can't replace critical thinking
• Testing isn't just about finding bugs, it's about making users' lives smoother

Thank you, Priyanka, for sharing how your personal growth shaped your testing approach. You can connect with Priyanka on LinkedIn.

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