Introduction

In January, Nethma Wimalasuriya and Fathima Jamal-Deen had the opportunity to visit Shooters Hill Sixth Form College to give a presentation to students about our role as SDET consultants. The goal was to introduce them to software testing, explain what we do daily, and give them a hands-on experience with an exercise that simulated real-life testing scenarios.

The main theme of our presentation was to show them what an SDET does, how we work with clients to help improve software quality, and what a career as an SDET looks like. We wanted to demonstrate that the tech industry is accessible to anyone, regardless of their educational background or experience.

Our SDET Consultants

Hi! My name is Nethma and my journey to becoming a Software Developer in Test (SDET) has been both unexpected and rewarding. Coming from an aviation background - an entirely different field from technology - I never initially envisaged myself in this career. I chose this path because I wanted to learn something new and expand my skills in a dynamic environment.

My experience proves that a lack of formal education in a specific subject should never be a barrier to pursuing it, as confidence, perseverance, and a commitment to learning can be just as valuable in achieving success.

Hi! My name is Fathima, and I’m a Software Development Engineer in Test - SDET for short. My role involves designing and implementing test cases, ensuring software quality through continuous integration, and refining testing strategies to make processes more efficient and reliable.

Software testing is my first job, but my interest in it started during university. I particularly enjoyed the testing module, which sparked my curiosity and led me to pursue it as a career. Unlike many others, I didn’t begin as a developer or manual tester - software testing has been my first step into the industry, and I’ve been learning and growing in this space ever since.

One of my biggest highlights so far has been receiving positive feedback from my first client. They said I was a credit to the academy that trained me and that I settled into the role quickly. That recognition gave me a huge confidence boost and motivated me to keep pushing forward.

First Impressions at Shooters Hill Sixth Form

When we arrived at Shooters Hill Sixth Form, we were struck by how welcoming and friendly everyone was. It created a really positive atmosphere and made the experience even more enjoyable. A funny moment that stood out was when we were mistaken for students which we took as a compliment! It brought a light-hearted touch to the day and helped ease some of our initial nerves.

We were excited to introduce the pilot tech sponsorship scheme but also a bit apprehensive about presenting and speaking to the students. Walking into a room full of young students, knowing that we had the responsibility for inspiring and educating them, was a big moment.

We were met with warm smiles and a great sense of curiosity from both the students and staff, where it was clear that they were eager to learn and engage with us. Finding the right balance between being professional and relatable was important to us, as we wanted to connect with them in a meaningful way. Fortunately, the warm reception and engaging environment made the whole experience incredibly rewarding.

Workshop Activities & Student Engagement

We started our presentation by providing an overview of what an SDET is and the role we play in software development. To give the students a practical insight, we demonstrated how to run a test in VS Code using Playwright. Following this, we conducted a hands-on exercise where they manually executed a test case on a website.

We also encouraged them to think critically by having them create their own manual test cases and participate in peer review. This interactive approach not only allowed them to experience the problem-solving aspects of software testing firsthand but also taught them the importance of collaboration and constructive feedback.

The students were highly engaged, asking insightful questions and actively participating. Some even mentioned that they had never considered a career in tech before but were now interested in exploring it further — exactly the kind of impact we aimed to achieve.

Encouraging Young Girls to Pursue Careers in IT and STEM

Encouraging young girls to pursue careers in IT, software testing, and other STEM fields is something that we are deeply passionate about. Women are still underrepresented in the tech industry, and part of changing that is ensuring that young girls see role models they can relate to. By sharing our journeys and demonstrating that women can thrive in this industry, we hope to inspire more girls to consider careers in technology.

Advice for Aspiring SDETs

For students interested in becoming an SDET, our advice would be: 

• To build a strong foundation in programming - languages like Python, Java, or JavaScript are essential for writing automation scripts.
• Gaining hands-on experience with tools like Selenium, Postman, and Playwright is also crucial for UI and API testing, along with understanding CI/CD pipelines.
• Learning different testing principles, such as functional, integration, and performance testing, will improve problem-solving skills.
• Staying curious, continuously learning, and developing soft skills like communication and collaboration are just as important as technical knowledge.
• Networking with professionals and seeking mentorship can also provide valuable insights.
• Most importantly, patience and persistence are key - this journey takes time, but the effort is always worth it.

Key Takeaways for Students

What we hoped the students gained from our presentation was a newfound confidence in their ability to explore careers in tech, even if they didn’t have prior knowledge of software testing. We wanted them to leave with a sense of curiosity, a willingness to try something new, and an understanding that opportunities in tech are open to anyone willing to learn.

Personal and Professional Growth Through This Experience

Personally, this experience was incredibly fulfilling. Engaging with young minds, seeing their excitement, and knowing that we might have sparked an interest in some of them was deeply rewarding. It reminded us why we love what we do and it reinforced the importance of mentorship in the industry. Professionally, it was a great opportunity to refine both of our communication skills, step out of our comfort zones, and connect with the next generation of tech professionals.

Overall, our visit to Shooters Hill Sixth Form was a success. It was a reminder that anyone, regardless of their background, can create a path in technology. By sharing our knowledge and experiences, we hope to have made a lasting impression on these students and encouraged them to explore a world full of possibilities in tech.

Our Role as Role Models

As a Muslim woman who wears the hijab and coming from a low-income background in a borough of London that isn’t always seen in the best light, I know firsthand the challenges that young girls may face. Despite these obstacles, I’ve always had the drive to push myself, and I’ve been lucky to have support along the way. I hope that by standing in front of them, they can see a reflection of themselves - proof that where you come from doesn’t have to define where you’re going. Representation matters, and I want them to know that with determination, resilience, and the right support, they can break barriers and achieve success in the tech industry or any field they choose. If I can do it, so can they. - Fathima

As a role model for students, especially young girls, I strive to show that diverse career paths are attainable regardless of one's background. I want to inspire them to pursue careers in technology by sharing my own journey and emphasising the importance of resilience and curiosity. By being approachable and supportive, I hope to encourage them to break barriers and embrace challenges. My success demonstrates that with passion and determination, they too can achieve their goals and make a meaningful impact. - Nethma

Final Message to Young Girls in Tech

One of the key messages we wanted to share with the young girls was that being female should never be seen as a limitationc - in fact, it’s the opposite. Women bring so much value, innovation, and leadership to the tech industry and beyond.

We encourage them to be confident, ask questions, and never hold back from opportunities just because they might feel outnumbered or unsure of themselves.

We also want to emphasise the importance of resilience - setbacks are a natural part of any journey, but it’s perseverance that leads to success.

Lastly, we advise young students to seek out mentors, support one another, and always believe in their potential because they are just as capable as anyone else of making a real impact.