“The move to Planit and Sydney provided me with a chance to experience the consulting side of testing. I knew that the new work environment and immense variety of projects would allow me to build my testing and interpersonal skills, which then would help me to grow both personally and professionally.”
Gabriel, Technical Team Lead, Planit

Gabriel’s long-time fascination with software development led him to study a Computer Science degree. “I realised during my time at university that testing, whether it be in the Waterfall or Agile world, is an essential piece of the systems development life cycle,” he said.

After working at a pair of government departments in Hobart and Canberra, Gabriel took a Technical Test Analyst position with Planit in Sydney in 2012. For Gabriel, this was a unique opportunity to use his prior skills in performance testing and apply them for more technical testing.

“The move to Planit and Sydney provided me with a chance to experience the consulting side of testing,” he said. “I knew that the new work environment and immense variety of projects would allow me to build my testing and interpersonal skills, which then would help me to grow both personally and professionally.”

Gabriel’s hard work did not go unnoticed and he was soon promoted to Senior Technical Test Analyst. His progression continued, and in 2016, Gabriel saw an opportunity for a Technical Test Lead at Planit’s rapidly growing UK office in Reading.

Gabriel submitted a transfer request, which he was summarily granted. “Not only did I have the chance to contribute to the expanding United Kingdom office, but I also had the means to step into a more senior role and further develop my career,” he said.

As for what helped Gabriel to stand out at Planit and take on more responsibilities, he attributes it to hard work and a can-do attitude. An eagerness to continually learn also played a big part.

“You should always be looking grow and learn, so don’t be afraid to move out of your comfort zone from time to time,” he said. “In the testing world, as with many other industries, I believe that you must always be upskilling, whether it be with formal certifications or by simply reading through blogs or teaching yourself.”

Fortunately, as a Planit employee, Gabriel had access to the company’s comprehensive and well-regarded education programmes.

“In a world where IT industry is constantly evolving, not upgrading your skills only puts you at risk of being left behind,” Gabriel said. “Learning about the leading development and test methodologies over the last decade provided a strong foundation that enabled me to become the team lead I am today.”