Another edition of our Beyond Code series is here, where we spotlight the personal and professional journeys of Anthill’s employees. Today, we’re excited to introduce you to Vili Bakalska, a passionate Quality Assurance Specialist. In this interview, Vili talks about her career journey, her role at Anthill, and how she keeps up with the rapidly evolving IT world. She also gives us a glimpse into her interests and the exciting project she’s working on for Allane Mobility Group.
Q: Tell us about you and your career journey as a quality assurance specialist?
Vili Bakalska: My career in IT began five years ago as a Quality Assurance Specialist, with an initial goal of becoming a Frontend Developer or a UI Designer. However, I soon discovered my passion for Quality Assurance and decided to continue growing in this area. Throughout my journey, I’ve had the opportunity to work with diverse companies, teams, and technologies, constantly amazed by the rapid development of the IT world.
Q: Can you describe your role at Anthill and what a typical day looks like for you?
Vili Bakalska: At Anthill, I do both Manual and Automation Quality Assurance. I thrive on structure, so I meticulously plan my tasks for the day. My day starts with a cup of coffee and a review of my task list before our daily team meeting. Post-meeting, I dedicate my time to completing the tasks at hand.
Q: Please describe your job in a way that a 3-year-old would understand it.
Vili Bakalska: In simple terms, I make sure that the games kids play on their phones are working correctly before they get their hands on them.
Q: How do you stay current with the latest technologies and trends in software development?
Vili Bakalska: I stay current by participating in various international QA user groups, and attending open lectures, mainly organized by DEV.BG, as well as enrolling in different QA courses to enhance my skills.
Q: What was your motivation to join the Anthill team?
Vili Bakalska: My decision to join Anthill was influenced by the energetic and helpful people I met during the interview process and the exciting project with Allane Mobility Group. Six months into my journey with Anthill, I’m pleased to say that the team’s positive attitude remains unchanged.
Q: How does Anthill support the career growth and development of its people?
Vili Bakalska: Anthill is deeply committed to the professional growth and development of its people. The company provides a range of opportunities such as upskilling programs and exposure to diverse projects that help our teams enhance their skills and knowledge.
Q: How does Anthill encourage and support its people to pursue their own interests?
Vili Bakalska: Anthill believes in the importance of personal interests and passions in fostering creativity and innovation. That’s why it supports us in pursuing our interests by promoting a healthy work-life balance and encouraging participation in activities and projects that align with our personal interests.
Q: Can you share a project that you are currently working on that you find particularly exciting or challenging, and why?
Vili Bakalska: I’m currently working on a project for Allane Mobility Group, a comprehensive mobility solutions provider based in Germany. The project is both exciting and challenging due to the intricate calculations and strict requirements we need to adhere to. This requires a high level of detail orientation and precision.
Q: Last but not least, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Vili Bakalska: I’m an avid reader and love to immerse myself in books whenever I get the chance. I also enjoy exploring – visiting new places, tasting different cuisines, and embarking on adventures. This exploratory trait of mine aligns well with my role as a QA Specialist, as it allows me to delve into various areas of software development.