So we all know that quality of education and Job opportunity (even in Engineering colleges) is not the same when you compare Colleges in Metro cities with Colleges in Rural area. I am from a later background.
No complaints though. As I enjoyed my Engineering days the most and that had a lot to do with the College I was in and the Friends(for life) I made.
After my Engineering from Pravara Rural Engineering College Pune University, I went to Hyderabad for 2-3 months.
Have you heard of Ameerpet area from Hyderabad, and how good and cheap is the IT education there? How often you get the chance to learn multiple technologies from the best teachers in just under 7k(back then) or so?
Did Java, Oracle, Shell Scripting, JavaScript courses while I was there.
Gave a couple of toughest Aptitude Tests when side by side our group was checking the Job market water.
While my stay there was just about to end, went till final round of Polaris for a Development role. Had to say no as got to know they would be having 3 years bond with Hyderabad as the only location.
Came to Mumbai for some time, got another offer from a small company in Andheri Arwa Mumbai for Development role again. As tough as it can get for a fresher. They asked on Java, SQL queries, actual problem solving using assignments, Shell commands theory questions. 2:45 minutes overall interview.
Heard about the offer, the package and said will get back. Problem was the package they offered. 10K per month.
Went to my home town for Diwali Celebrations. One of my friend during this time got an email from Zycus about the off-campus Hiring for Freshers in Pune.
Travelled to Pune for the first round at some College Campus near Wakad.
Total students appearing there must be between 2000 to 3000. The campus was full, all classrooms occupied.
Appeared the Tech and Aptitude Test along with a few of my friends. You know why it helps to go with friends.
Submitted the paper, got out of the classroom, leaving the premise and shit struck. I had forgotten to attach my CV to the paper. All I submitted was a Test Paper which had my Name, Email and Mobile Number.
Went back to the same classroom to notice another batch is going on there and the person who first collected our papers is no more there. There was someone who took CV from me and said will attach.
Diwali vacations resumed at home and just after the festival, got a call from Zycus HR telling I am selected for the next round, but for Testing Role, not Development. Boom.
I was unsure as to be happy or sad. I remember I had attempted both the questions which asked about Test Cases for a particular piece of software. They mentioned those answers resulted in the call that I suite better there.
There was nothing to lose while I explore so I went ahead and appeared for next rounds.
From 2000-3000 it boiled down to final 250 or something for next rounds. There was supposed to be a Group Discussion. But not the usual one where folks just try to dominate each other.
The format was- each group was exposed to a unique item. Then each of the group members was told to just pick one characteristic of that item and share how will he/she test for it.
Items involved before my group walked in were something we never thought would be asked. Those were Pen, Refill, Speedometer, Pencil, Vehicle, etc.
Thanks to the extra time we got to get familiar with each other before the process started. I got to know quite a few folks there at least by Face. And hence got to know all the Items before I entered for GD.
Our group entered, sat in random order. The Item was revealed. Shit just got real.
There was a pen in the hand of one of the panellist, I was happy. But NO. It was “A CFL Bulb” which we were supposed to tell Test Scenarios for.
I picked the ingredients of The Bulb. Talked about how it impacts longevity and temperature. Fast Forward. Through to the next round. While many groups struggled to get even of them selected for next round, four from five of us were through. Less than a 70-80 I guess made for the final round.
Last round was the Personal Interview, with a Test Lead and our then HOD Mr. Satish Vengurlekar.
At around 7:30 PM the same day, I was sitting there for the final round.
Was asked to test Railway Reservation System’s some part and to identify the missing components. Went for some 30 minutes with other questions.
Was asked in the end if I have any question. Like many Freshers who may read this today, even for us Development always looked sexy and Testing not. So a lot of us had decided before the PI round that we all will ask the Panelists if they would shift us to Development later, will there be a possibility.
So when my turn to ask a question came, I asked(unlike others), that if Testing doesn’t excite me enough, will they shift me to Development role.
Mr. Satish told me what any responsible professional should tell. He said, “See, don’t fool your interest. If you want to become a Developer, become one. Don’t pick this role if you don’t feel like.”
Were my chances gone already? Did I say too much?
My instant response was that I had skipped(which I did by the way for Cisco) to explore a Job opportunity through a connection of mine in ‘Network Infrastructure’ part earlier, because I didn’t feel it would interest me. Testing I think would interest me, but I am not yet sure.
Seemed like they were ok with the response and I left the room.
After coming out when I discussed what I asked, got to know that, no one else had done that even when we had decided. :¦
Now I seriously thought my chances are gone. As a Fresher probably it wasn’t a question to ask in Final Technical round. (back then I felt so. Not now.)
Few days passed. When I was expecting the least, got a call that I got selected. And was called to Mumbai to accept Offer letter.
While I was on my way to Mumbai in Bus, got a call from the earlier company to whom I had told the package is too less for me to accept considering my circumstances and would expect at least 18-20K to start.
They said they are ready to offer what I asked and really want me to join. But as Steve Jobs said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward. You can only connect them looking backwards.”
I picked what I was destined to. Joined Zycus on 29th November 2010 AS A TESTER.
Ohh yes, along with 9 others. So from near 3000, it was down to the final 10.
We were super happy about that.
Mr. Satish was our Engineering HOD. I was scared(because of the question had asked) and was happy that I would get a chance to learn from someone I had formed instant respect when met for the first time.
That’s how I got into Testing. Through a Happy Accident. 🙂
If you are still reading, Thank You for your time. You may want to leave a comment stating if you enjoyed the story of my journey. 🙂
Note:
I still work at Zycus, as a Principal Test Manager by designation.
I am still a Tester. Would always be one. Super passionate about my craft. And I lead a Community of Software Testers in India, called The Test Tribe. A very special initiative to me. You can join the community here.
Want to help as many Testers as I can, to grow as a Tester and develop a love for the craft. Or, to rediscover their passion.