Štefan has been breaking stereotypes about testers for years, starting with the idea that Quality Assurance is “just clicking around.” As a Senior QA Analyst, mentor, and lecturer, he proves that testing is part detective work, part communication craft, and part critical thinking superpower.
And while some people collect stamps or run marathons, Štefan collects stories from classrooms full of future testers, unexpected career switchers, and moments that remind him why curiosity is a tester’s strongest tool.
In this interview, he shares what it really means to work in QA — the challenges, the misconceptions, the humor, and why he believes it’s better to be a happy tester than a depressed programmer.
Let’s start simple: how would you describe your role as a Senior QA Analyst to someone outside of IT?
A QA Analyst is someone who listens a lot, but also asks a lot of questions. While management comes up with ideas to move the company forward, we’re the ones validating those ideas. You can probably guess that some requests are a bit unrealistic (laughs), while others bring real growth opportunities for the business.
Our job is to bridge the business idea and the technical world. Once we understand the request, we make sure developers have implemented it correctly.
You’re not only testing software but also testing the next generation of tech talent. What inspired you to become a lecturer at an IT academy, and what do you enjoy most about teaching software testing?
I was actually approached by the company that provides these training programs. I went through a selection process, got accepted, and started preparing for my first lessons — yes, it really was that simple! The first few sessions were full of nerves and self-doubt, I wasn’t sure if I was explaining things clearly or if the students understood me. But over time, the fear faded, and now I genuinely enjoy it.
Just to clarify: I still work as a QA full-time.
The job market for junior testers can be quite competitive these days. From your perspective, is it still worth investing time in beginner or junior testing courses?
Yes, it’s definitely tougher than it was a few years ago. But I still see openings for entry-level roles — and our company is living proof. We’ve hired several less experienced testers who are now fully-fledged team members. No debate about that!
What kind of people usually sign up for your courses, and what skills or mindset help newcomers stand out?
My students come from all kinds of backgrounds — I’ve had a Boeing pilot, a PE teacher, a chemistry lecturer, even a grocery store clerk. The course is challenging because it requires absorbing a lot of new information, including soft skills. If you decide to change your career path, stick with it until the end. Persistence really pays off.
Are your students mostly Gen Z, career changers, or tech enthusiasts just starting out? And with AI and automation reshaping the tech world, many ask — is manual testing becoming obsolete?
As I mentioned, I see a wide mix of professions and life stories among my students. People come in with very different expectations. Some dream of buying a camper van and traveling across Europe while testing software in the evenings. Others just sign up without knowing exactly what to expect. AI and automation haven’t replaced testers — they’ve elevated what we can do. But to use these tools effectively, you must first understand how humans test. Manual testing is the foundation, and automation or AI builds upon that foundation.
What’s your take on how QA will evolve in the next 3–5 years?
We’re constantly learning new technologies, but the foundations remain the same and that is manual testing. As automation and AI continue to advance, we want to grow alongside them. I believe QA will always be an important role. Skilled testers will combine strong analytical thinking with a critical mindset. They’ll use automation and AI effectively — not blindly, but thoughtfully — to achieve one goal: deliver a high-quality product.
Let’s get practical: can you share a real-world situation where asking the right question made all the difference?
If I described a real one, I’d be giving away company secrets — and we don’t want that (laughs). But imagine this scenario:
“We want to allow our employees to search for customers by their first name. Everyone knows their own name — we’ll save millions on complex systems and security checks.”
Sounds simple, right? But what happens if we have 10,000 active customers? Will the employee see 10,000 results? How will we verify identity? Can any random John order a new service, and could he even order it under another John’s name?
So, did we really simplify the employee’s life with that request… or maybe not?
What do these moments teach us about the mindset behind testing?
A tester’s fundamental question is: Does this make sense? Does it bring real value? If it does, only then come the technical questions.
Testing strategy isn’t about brute force; machines can handle that today. Adding value and validating purpose, that’s the human part of testing.
You teach and work full-time in a fast-paced tech environment. How do these two roles influence each other?
The course is intense, but it builds on solid fundamentals. If you understand how to test properly, you’ll do it right — and that same logic will apply to your automated tests and maybe even to your AI testing agent one day.
Do your students ever give you a fresh perspective on your day job?
They absolutely do. Their questions are sharp and often make me rethink things. It’s a good self-check — to see if I really understand the concepts, if I can teach them clearly, and if I can also learn from others. Honestly, some of my students are already better than me! (laughs)
That’s why I can’t just repeat dull theory; I need to keep exploring new testing challenges myself.
How does quality assurance influence business decisions or customer satisfaction?
Quality assurance is ultimately about delivering a high-quality product to users and customers. A good product is easy to understand, attractive, secure, and reliable. Those are the qualities we evaluate and verify as part of QA.
What would you say to someone considering testing as a career, but unsure if they’re technical enough?
Start small. You didn’t start running marathons, you started by walking. And running has evolved from walking. It’s the same with testing.
What kind of background or curiosity makes someone a good fit? And what keeps you passionate about QA after all these years?
Testing requires a wide range of skills. The ideal tester can code, analyze, test, and present results. Each company values different strengths — some prefer analytical minds, others lean toward technical depth.
So if a company doesn’t choose you, it doesn’t mean you’re a bad tester; maybe they were just looking for a different flavor of tester.
QA is sometimes seen as a stepping stone into tech, but it can also be a fulfilling long-term career. What’s your take on the different directions a QA career can take? And what would you say to someone deciding whether to stay in testing or explore other IT roles?
Companies often underestimate the value of testers. A good tester is just as important as a good developer. Many testers move into programming, but many developers move into management. For me, the key is to do what makes you happy.
It’s better to be a happy tester than a depressed programmer.
When you love what you do, the results follow naturally.
Talking to Štefan makes one thing clear: quality assurance isn’t just a job — it’s a mindset, a craft, and occasionally a philosophical exercise (“Does this feature even make sense?”). His perspective mirrors what we celebrate across GoHealth: curiosity, ownership, and the drive to build things that actually work for real people.
