Episode 42 – Can software testing be a good career for you?

Meet Jennifer Cable, software manual tester extraordinaire. Jennifer came from a background blended in fine arts and graphic design in the newspaper field. With news now available online, Jennifer soon discovered that a change in career field was in order for her and her family to thrive financially. Listen in to episode 42 to find out more about Jennifer’s tale and the journey she took to get there.
Don’t forget to stop over on Twitter to say hello!
Jennifer Cable’s Bio:
Jennifer Cable is a Software Test Technician at CoverMyMeds in Columbus, Ohio. She works with a team of Software Developers and Test Engineers to deliver a quality product that meets standards for a reliable, consistent user experience.
 
Jennifer likes to help promote women and girls in the field of development by supporting Girl Develop It and Cool Tech Girls in Columbus. You can connect with me on LinkedIn or Twitter @jkcable.
 
Episode Highlights and Show Notes:
Arsalan: Hi everyone. Today, my guest is Jennifer cable. Jennifer, how are you?
Jennifer: I’m good, thank you. How are you?
Arsalan: I’m fantastic. I’m so happy to have you on the podcast, especially because you are different from all the other guests that we’ve had so far. Also, there’s something very interesting. That has happened to you. You got laid off. You were working, and you are probably pretty happy, but you are not doing development. You’re doing something else. You are passionate about it and went to college for it and then you got laid off. Then, you resurrected your career a little bit. Tell us a little more about that moment when you were laid off. What led up to it, and how were you feeling about it?
Jennifer: I was working in graphic design for a newspaper for many years doing ad design. I was very content and what I was doing. I enjoyed it, and I did not think that I could lose my job to outsourcing, but I did. During that time I felt very disappointed and I was also shocked to learn that I would not have my job anymore. At that time I felt that it was time to look for a new opportunity.
Arsalan: Was at a time that was difficult for you and your family? Perhaps you had some questions about how you’re going to manage your finances. Is that something that you went through?
Jennifer: Yes, definitely. My husband and I worry two-income family. So, it definitely had an impact on our family finances. While I did receive unemployment, it was not 100% of what we were used to. So, there were a few years where we had to tighten up her budget and make ends meet until I found full-time employment again.
Arsalan: So, you did find full-time employment, but there was a gap between the time you found full-time employment and the time you were laid off. How long was that gap?
Jennifer: That gap was probably about three years.
Arsalan: That’s a long time to go without a job. In the meantime, while you were unemployed, what did you do?
Jennifer: I was fortunate enough to be able to go back to school. Because of the way my job was outsourced, there was a federal grant program that would help pay for education for people who got laid off due to outsourcing. So, I decided that since I wasn’t working at the time, I would take advantage of that opportunity and I went back to school at Columbus State to study web development.
Arsalan: I think this is going to be an inspiring story for a lot of people who might have been laid off or might fear being laid off because of outsourcing, automation, or various reasons. Outsourcing and losing your job are facts of life. Having to look for another job is something that we all have to deal with. Although it took you three years, you were able to overcome that. Then you got this new job. How long did you work there?
Jennifer: I have been at my current job for two years now.

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