"What I've lived and experienced really is a success story"
Let's meet Andreea!
She finished the Faculty of Business (bachelor's and master's) and, after almost 5 years in sales, looked for another path to success. Convinced that anything can be learned, if you want it and work for it, today she's happy to see her dream come true.
Andreea Plesea is part of a testing team at a well-known IT company and says "it's fantastic to see how much positive energy surrounds you in IT". She takes on every day's challenges with a smile and works happily where "people are open, ready to help you anytime, and cheerful", which "is a huge reason to want to work surrounded by such people".
She talks enthusiastically about her experience at the Informal School of IT and assures everyone that "in IT, there are very good prospects for building a career, growing, and developing, both personally and professionally".
I find it fantastic how you're working in a sales position today, and in just a few months… you're integrated and accepted into the IT world!
1. How did you decide to completely change your career?
I worked for almost 5 years in sales (advertising and related fields), and last summer, I heard about the Informal School of IT from a coworker.
She was so thrilled that she was admitted to one of the Informal School of IT's programs, that she convinced another coworker of ours to enroll too! They both started the same training program and were very pleased with how the course sessions went.
At the time, it crossed my mind to take on the challenge too. But I let the thought slip away. Meanwhile, I changed jobs, tried a different field, it was ok for a while… Until one day, when I decided I no longer wanted to work in sales.
That's when I went to the Informal School of IT's website and… surprise! Enrollment was open. I applied the same day!
2. Why did you choose the Informal School of IT?
There would be quite a few reasons. Mainly, because of the positive things I'd heard and read about the Informal School of IT. On top of that, I already knew people who had taken the Software Testing – QA Complete Software Testing Course module, worked, learned, and got hired in the field very quickly.
The Informal School of IT gives you an enormous opportunity. You can radically change your career, very quickly! I find it fantastic how you're working in a sales position today, and in just a few months you're integrated and accepted into the IT world!
Less than a month after graduating, I got a job at a well-known IT company in Cluj!
3. How did the 16-week training experience help you?
Mindset and vocabulary – are two of the most important changes I saw in myself, right from the first training session! The way of thinking and analyzing different situations and solutions are things I applied in everyday life, often without realizing they were skills picked up in the courses.
I can say, without a doubt, that after attending the Informal School of IT, no matter which educational program you choose, you start seeing the world differently: you trust that anything in life can be achieved, if you want it badly enough. So, less than a month after graduating, I changed my career. I'm employed at a well-known IT company in Cluj!
Andreea Plesea was part of Software Testing cohort 12. Here's how graduation went!
Also read: Why take a manual and automated software testing course?
4. How was the job interview?
The job interview was very different from the other interviews I'd had in other fields. In a relaxed atmosphere with no set expectations, the interview was presented as an open conversation, about getting to know each other and mutual introductions. I left the interview with a smile on my face and a really good feeling!
What helped me? I can't say that at the Informal School of IT I learned "recipes" that guarantee success. Instead, I formed a certain "mindset". Practical information and the help I got from mentors contributed to how the interview went: calm, relaxed, well-argued.
The experience at the Informal School of IT was exactly what I needed to understand what to expect at an IT company
5. The biggest challenge?
Time! It was a challenge to organize myself so I'd have time for everything I wanted to do. As we all know, when you have a job, you're very busy during the day. It was hard, in the few hours left in the day, to gather up the energy and patience for something new to read. But still, everything I set out to cover during the week with my mentor, I managed to get through. I practiced happily and with a desire to learn, not just because I had homework.
6. Explain to those reading this interview what actually happens at the Informal School of IT.
At the Informal School of IT, you get a completely different experience compared to what happens in any other classroom in traditional learning environments. The atmosphere is informal, there's a focus on sharing information, work procedures are explained, and the real working environment of an IT company is successfully imitated.
Professionals with rich experience at well-known IT companies mentor you step by step. In teams, you go through every phase of a project and work on applications in real mode and real time. For example, we actually tested the Beta version of an application, with all the necessary tools and with feedback. I can say the experience at the Informal School of IT was exactly what I needed to understand what to expect at an IT company.
Andreea's message for the reader:
"Want a change? Would you like to go through an experience like the one I described in this interview? Then… don't think twice, try it! I'm sure you'll get counseling to help you make the best decision for you.
You should know that the testing stage that follows enrollment is very important. That's when you'll be able to tell whether or not what happens at the Informal School of IT is for you!"
Also read:
Talking with Elena Cantemir, QA Complete Software Testing graduate
Irina's story, QA Complete graduate. From events organizer to software tester
Turn your passion for IT into a career with the Software Testing course!
The QA Complete – Software Testing course at the Informal School of IT is the perfect choice to transform your IT career.
This program is complete and accredited, meeting ISTQB standards, giving you a solid foundation. It's ideal both for those who want to reinvent their career, and for those who want to improve their skills in the IT field.
The course is updated to align with market requirements and gives you all the knowledge you need to become competitive in this field.
By taking this course, you'll build a solid career and become a successful Software Tester!
QA Complete. Software Testing Course - apply now!
