Welcome to “Unsung Heroes,” where we shine a light on those quietly making a big impact. In our new series, learn more about the incredible individuals who power Distillery’s journey.
Today we’d like to introduce Nico, the Head of our QA Department!
Introduce yourself, your background/expertise, and your position at Distillery.
I’m Nico, an Information System Engineer with 12 years of experience in the QA field. I started as a QA Intern during my last year at university, and for the past year and a half, I have served as the Head of the QA Department. It’s been quite a journey!
What attracted you to Distillery?
The toughness of the interview process was the first thing that caught my attention. It was the most difficult one I had faced during my career, indeed! This told me that something special was happening at the company. I felt it was a challenge worth pursuing and an opportunity to push myself and grow.
How do you embody the “Never Settle” spirit in your daily work at Distillery?
I embody the ‘Never Settle’ spirit by committing to continuous training in QA matters every single day.
How do you foster authentic connections with your colleagues and clients at Distillery?
When it comes to communication, no matter who the other party is, I try to foster an environment of trust by being transparent. It’s a very simple rule: everything can be discussed openly and respectfully. Additionally, I like to encourage people to take on challenges and be there to support them if needed.
Tell us about a time when you had to summon courageous ambition to tackle a challenge at work.
In 2022, we organized a QA Tech Night at our Cordoba office, and I was one of the speakers. While I’ve spoken in public several times before, I found myself unusually nervous this time, likely due to it being my first public talk since the pandemic began and its shift to remote work. Additionally, I had recently been promoted to my current role, so I was eager to give the best possible performance. Despite the initial nerves, I managed to overcome them just five minutes into my presentation. Finally, the whole event was a roaring success; the other speakers stood out, and the organization went perfectly.
What are you passionate about outside of work?
I’m passionate about sports. I love “fubol” more than I’d really want to. Also, I’m a former volleyball player who turned into a bad tennis player. I trained regularly in tennis, and I can assure you that it’s one of the most challenging sports to learn if you’re a perfectionist.
What’s your go-to motivational quote that keeps you going when the going gets tough?
“There’s no way around hard work, embrace it.” – Roger Federer
What are some skills or topics you’re learning about right now?
I have a very busy learning schedule. I just completed a Cypress certification and finished reading a book titled “AI-Assisted Testing.” I’m very much into the QA community; I follow recognized members of our industry and maintain connections with many of them. Currently, I’m attending asynchronously the 5-day ‘Automation Guild ‘24’ where more than 40 world-class testing experts share their knowledge, reading a fantastic book called “Modern Software Test Techniques,” and researching the potential applications of AI in testing.
If you could have one superpower to help you at work, what would it be and why?
To have unlimited access to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber from Dragon Ball Z, where one day inside the chamber is equivalent to one year outside. Imagine how many tools and technologies I could master in just a couple of weeks.
What’s your favorite “keep pushing forward” song that gets you pumped up and motivated?
Coming Back To Life – Pink Floyd
What’s your go-to stress-busting activity when you need a break from work?
It depends. If I have a tough day, I would go for a run (that’s the only way I can run if there’s no ball in the middle). I wouldn’t choose tennis because I might come back from the activity worse off than I was. 😅 If all I need is a break, then there’s nothing more enjoyable and rewarding than playing sports outdoors with the sun on your face, hitting the little green ball.
When it comes to emojis, which one would you choose when a Distiller tells you a successful moment or gives you good news?
It would be between 🎦🚬 (It’s cinema) and the soccer World Cup emoji. 🙂