Case studies : Senior Software Tester: Simone Hambleton

Simone Hambleton is a Senior Software Tester at Dorset Software. Before joining the company she graduated with an MChem Chemistry with Mathematics from the University of Sheffield.

I discovered Dorset Software on the Prospects website, the advert asked if I was a maths or science graduate and did not require any previous experience so I clicked on it to find out more.   I am glad I did as I have been with the company over 3 years now and have encountered many interesting challenges along the way.

I joined the Graduate Programme back in September 2007; the internal training programme provided me with all the expertise I needed to fulfil my job role. I have since moved up the testing stream, through the standard tester role and I am currently a senior tester, as which I still have opportunities to develop and grow. Over the past 3 years I have taken several exams, which have been of benefit to both myself and the company. I have taken both the ISEB Foundation and Intermediate Software testing exams as a result of the encouragement and support from Dorset Software, these were vital when understanding testing processes on different client sites. There are still other routes I can follow at Dorset Software; my future goal is to move in to the Project Management stream and build on the skills I have used as a tester as well as learning some new ones.

My day to day role varies widely and is dependent on what assignment I am currently working on. When on client site assignments I am involved in the whole software development life cycle. This could involve reviewing design documents, creating test plans and test cases, running tests, recording defects and monitoring their progress, producing test closure reports as well as helping with training of other employees.  When working from Dorset Software’s head office I’m more focussed on the actual test running rather than documentation, this can have its advantages as the testing is much more ad hoc, so although less structured can be a lot of fun. Over the last 3 years I have worked on a wide range of projects including 2 substantial assignments on client sites in Poole and Brighton in the financial industry, where I was able to learn about the various processes which occur in the banking world. I was involved in the testing of updates to the existing software to cater for new products and services. 

I have really enjoyed my time so far at Dorset Software, the company boasts a relaxed atmosphere, flexible working hours when working in house and, most of all, friendly and sociable colleagues who make the transition from University to working life a doddle!