Kate: the QA automation specialist who puts herself in the user's shoes
Kate is an ISTQB-certified QA Automation Specialist on Full Scale's Philippines team. She started out troubleshooting Microsoft 365 for global clients at Accenture, then spent two years building a QA practice from zero at a health-tech startup before joining Full Scale. In her own words: what the work looks like, what she's proud of, and what she'd tell someone starting out.
From tech support to test automation
Kate's path into QA wasn't a straight line. She graduated in Electronics Communication Engineering in 2014, trained as a Java developer, and spent her first year on a support desk before she ever wrote a test case. By the time she joined Full Scale, she'd already built a testing practice from nothing once, at a startup with one application and no playbook to follow.
Accenture, Application Developer (2018–2019)
Kate started as a fresh Electronics Communication Engineering graduate, trained in Java, then moved into technical support for Microsoft 365, helping clients around the world with SharePoint, Azure, and Exchange issues end to end.
PicnicHealth, Senior Software QA Analyst (2019–2021)
One of the first testers on a three-person QA team at a health-tech startup, building the practice from scratch: writing the first test plans, tracking issues across every program inside their one application, and working with her team to automate the daily smoke tests that used to be manual. She also documented the processes she built, so the rest of the team wasn't relying on her alone to know how testing worked.
Full Scale, QA Automation Specialist (2021–present)
Now automating and managing test coverage for Full Scale client teams, carrying the same habit she named as her biggest lesson: put yourself in the user's shoes before you call something done.
"I became more comfortable opening up and asking questions that may sound dumb to other people. I wanted to learn more about other technologies and other tools testers use, and grow more as a tester, which I did all throughout these years."
— Kate, on what changed for her at Full Scale
"My biggest achievement so far was being able to visit my client in Melbourne. I was able to explore and experience the city, we had lunch, we talked about different things, and it was memorable and amazing."
— Kate, QA Automation Specialist, Full Scale
What Kate actually does
Kate writes test plans and test cases, runs manual and automated regression, and does user acceptance testing on web and mobile before anything ships. Her own description of the job: stay keen on the details, and always put yourself in the user's shoes.
Dogs, K-dramas, and a commute she doesn't miss
When she's not testing, Kate's usually watching Korean dramas and anime, or training and walking her dogs. Full Scale's remote setup changed her actual day, in her words:
"I had the opportunity to spend more time with myself and my loved ones, as well as my dogs at home. I've been able to look after my overall health better. I could literally cook breakfast and then start my daily meetings and work, without thinking about the time I need to go home, or waiting in line for a bus."
"I think the heartbeat of Full Scale lies in its people. I found friends who would always look out for you, and a corporate family that makes sure we always get what's best for us."
— Kate, on what she's thankful for
She specifically called out Full Scale's CSR program as something she's thankful for — the same outreach days the rest of the company runs across the Philippines.
"Never be afraid to ask, and never be afraid to try. We'll never know until we try. Five words for the job: continuous learning, growth, fun, challenging, and amazing."
— Kate, on advice for new employees