From software development to infrastructure testing, Beata’s journey to Contabo is a testament to her versatility and unique approach to problem-solving. Now in Berlin, her technical expertise and surprising personal story make her a standout in software testing.
Career Path and Role at Contabo
How did you join the Contabo team, and what attracted you to join us?
Beata: I found the job offer on LinkedIn. There was good chemistry during the interview, and it still feels that way! What really drew me in was that Contabo is different from my previous jobs in pure software services. Here, we’re dealing with actual IT infrastructure – VPS, cloud servers, real computing resources. In my previous roles, everything was virtual – as my friends would say, “we don’t have a real product to show, we have it all in our minds.” That can be frustrating. At Contabo, we’re working with tangible IT infrastructure that makes a real difference. I’ve been here for about five months now, and I’m loving the change from pure software services.
Testing Approach and Daily Challenges
Since you’re somewhat new at Contabo, how would you describe your induction ?
Beata: I chose to jump straight into the cold water 🥶! My manager, Natalia, who’s originally from Ukraine and has been living in Germany for about 20 years now, is incredibly supportive. She noticed I learned things quite fast – apparently not everyone picks things up at that pace. I prefer learning by doing – the sooner you dive in, the faster you adapt. Software testing is fun, and having such a supportive manager makes it even better!
Tell us about your role as a software tester. What does your typical day look like?
Beata: Think of it like starting a controlled fire instead of having the fire surprise you. I work with tools like, for example, Frisby for automation testing of APIs and front-end testing. My role is to find potential issues before they affect our users – essentially breaking things in a controlled way to make sure they’re robust enough for production. I have over five years of experience in QA testing, and I’ve seen how important early software testing is. But that’s exactly the point – finding problems early prevents bigger troubles in production. It’s better to find issues in our environment than have them surprise us in production.
Working in a Multicultural Environment
How do you find working in such an international environment?
Beata: The people culture at Contabo helps a lot. Coming from West Pomerania in Poland, which borders Eastern Germany, I was already familiar with cross-cultural environments. I’ve worked internationally before – in Hungary and Poland – and now I’ve been living in Berlin for two years. Having a manager like Nataliia, who embodies that multicultural perspective, really adds to the experience. Even though she’s been in Germany for two decades, she brings unique insights from both cultures. We all communicate in English, which makes everything flow smoothly. I really enjoy meeting people from different countries – Contabo truly is the most international company I’ve worked with so far.
Personal Growth and Adaptation
How would you describe yourself as a team member?
Beata: I’m what I call an “open introvert” – I’m great at one-on-one communication but prefer smaller groups to large crowds. For example, I’ll go to the company winter party in December, but I’m more comfortable with individual interactions. I learn fast and build connections quickly with people, just in my own way. It’s about finding your own style of collaboration while still being an effective team player.
You mentioned you’re learning German – how’s that going?
Beata: Actually, I find German easier than Polish or Hungarian! I’m working hard on it now, and it’s coming along well. Living in Berlin helps with learning the language, even though using English in such an international city is tempting. I live in a quiet neighborhood away from the center – I used to live closer to the center where all the young people love to be, but I prefer the calmer atmosphere now. I try to practice German in everyday situations, even if it’s just a few sentences.
Life Outside Testing
Tell me something peculiar about yourself that people might not expect?
Beata: I was a singer in hard rock bands for 12 years! Quite different from software testing!
Welcome to the Contabo cookie jar, Beata! Thank you for sharing your journey and insights with such openness and enthusiasm. Your unique approach to testing, coupled with your creative spirit, makes you a fantastic addition to the team. We wish you all the best in continuing to break things (in the best possible way) and building even stronger systems at Contabo. Here’s to many more “controlled fires” and exciting challenges ahead!