Reflection
What I did for my career day was shadow a Systems test lead in Broadband Communication. He manages people and lab resources used to test systems that provide Exede Internet service. What I mostly did for the day was swap out testing units for production units on the petri dish of a home satellite dish. The petri dish is the main unit of a satellite dish that beams the data to the actual dish and then up to the satellite itself. The unit that I swapped out were testing units that would catch the radio waves and send it through a cable that would go into a computer. This allowed us to test every petri dish with every different firmware version. Once I swapped out the testing units for the production I then put then back into shipping boxes, and also changed the serial number on the boxes that matched the petri dish. At noon I left for lunch where I went across the street and got food, I was there for around an hour until I walked back. For the rest of my time there I repacked modems and routers that were testing with the petri dishes. What I found interesting is that they wanted me to take off the stickers nicely so they would look brand new and that they could actually sell them to customers. Overall the day was pretty good, I learned a lot of testing products and the daily life of a tester.
interview
1. What in your educational background most prepared you for this job?
I have a bachelor's degree in computer science. Every day I work with hardware and software so my education in computers is useful.
2. What specific skill training helped you prepare for this job?
I've taken management classes which helped me supervise up to two dozen people.
3. How do you interact with other people turning your work?
It is a challenge. I have my responsibilities and tasks that I am responsible for, but as a test lead i also get many requests to help other people with for lab resources and test support. I have to balance getting my work done and getting their work done. When i interact with people I try to help them accomplish their goals but i have to be careful in not to take on too much work so i can get my work done.
4. To what extent do you find your work interesting and fulfilling and why?
I've been a system test leed for almost 20 years so the work at this point is not interesting because the technology changes are not surprising. However, it is very fulfilling to work with a team that creates end to end satellite/based network for home users.
5. What are the most important rules or practices that you must follow inorder to be considered a dedicated and responsible professional?
The most important practice is communication to let people know status of testing and if products and services are good enough for production.
6. Is this a typical work day for you? If not, what is a typical work day?
Yes, working in the lab and going to meetings
I have a bachelor's degree in computer science. Every day I work with hardware and software so my education in computers is useful.
2. What specific skill training helped you prepare for this job?
I've taken management classes which helped me supervise up to two dozen people.
3. How do you interact with other people turning your work?
It is a challenge. I have my responsibilities and tasks that I am responsible for, but as a test lead i also get many requests to help other people with for lab resources and test support. I have to balance getting my work done and getting their work done. When i interact with people I try to help them accomplish their goals but i have to be careful in not to take on too much work so i can get my work done.
4. To what extent do you find your work interesting and fulfilling and why?
I've been a system test leed for almost 20 years so the work at this point is not interesting because the technology changes are not surprising. However, it is very fulfilling to work with a team that creates end to end satellite/based network for home users.
5. What are the most important rules or practices that you must follow inorder to be considered a dedicated and responsible professional?
The most important practice is communication to let people know status of testing and if products and services are good enough for production.
6. Is this a typical work day for you? If not, what is a typical work day?
Yes, working in the lab and going to meetings
I was not allowed to take any pictures so I don't have any.