Meet the Team: Sanja Kovačić

Sanja Kovačić, QA Engineer

“She is sooo focused on finding problems in everything!” Gloomy, right?! Well, not if you work in quality assurance it aint. In fact, it’s a rather desirable trait. Plus, if you disregard that part of the job, she's quite the opposite. 

Hi, Sanja!

Jokes aside, peel back the layers of your job for us. What does it entail?

As a QA engineer, I make sure that our products do what they should, from the perspective of the client and end users. I participate in stages of design, development, testing, and delivery to check whether the product meets quality standards and requirements. 

So, clearly more than “finding problems”. :) Are there any captivating aspects that caught you off guard?

I was pleasantly surprised when I first came as a complete beginner by how well the whole team accepted me. That helped me a lot with my professional self-confidence and advancement. The position itself surprised me in terms of how much room it provides for creativity. I always try to use my imagination to extend approaches, experiment, and explore new ways while doing software testing, which is an ideal match for my curiosity. 

Interesting. When I think of QA, creativity is not the thing that comes to my mind. It seems like you are at the right place. Quality assurance is the unsung hero of many projects. In your eyes, what makes it such an important aspect of the work you do?

QA is crucial in application development and it makes the difference between a good and excellent final product. My team is the final link in the development chain and because of that, we have a great responsibility, which is why there is always the eternal question of how much testing is enough.

True. There’s a fine line between too little and too much. So what does it take to be a great QA engineer? 

I believe that in order to do this job successfully it is necessary to possess a wide range of skills such as patience, determination, good communication and analytical skills, an eye for detail, and thinking outside the box.

Let’s talk career path. Before joining Base58, how did your professional journey look like?

Before Base58 I was in completely different waters, working as a social psychologist and teaching assistant. I worked mostly with children who had behavioral disorders and developmental difficulties and their parents. So my working environment was much different from today.

There’s an answer I didn’t expect. But I admire versatility and readiness to dive into something new. How do feel now about taking that leap?

The career change from psychology to IT was the biggest undertaking for me so far. IT was an area I was always interested in, but I wasn’t sure if it would be the right decision for me. Ultimately, it turned out that taking that risk and leaving the comfort zone pays off if you are ready for a challenge and working on yourself. 

Now that you’re here, what do you think makes Base58 team culture so appealing?

Definitely a relaxed atmosphere, so one can focus on work without feeling pressure and stress. Also, the willingness of more experienced colleagues to share their knowledge is greatly appreciated. There is always someone who will listen to you if you have a problem.

Sounds good. But surely some things could use an upgrade?

More colors and more plants in the offices and we could use a little more female power and energy. 😀

Colors and plants?! The more, the merrier. No “how much is enough” dilemma in this case. :) OK, now we know you're a fan of plants, colours, girl power, etc. What's one thing people don't know about you that they would be surprised to find out?

Ugh, this is a tough one. Maybe the fact that I was a real tomboy as a child. I had short hair, always hung out with the boys, and got into fights. Seeing me now, you would never thought that. 😀

I wouldn’t, that’s for sure. :) What was your favorite game from that time?

It was the commodore that my father bought me - I used to play all day long. As a kid, I dreamed of being a video game tester and here I am now not far from that. 😉

Dreams do come true, I see. And what personal philosophy helped you along the way?

Treat others the way you want to be treated, always see the glass as half full, and everything can be said nicely - that’s what I stick to and what I always teach my children. I think the world would be a better place if everyone acted like that.

Couldn’t agree more. Although I could do some work on the “everything can be said nicely” part. :) What experience most shaped the principles you live by and what kind of person you are now?

I know it will sound corny, but for me, it is definitely the birth of my children. It is both the most difficult and the most beautiful experience of my life. With them, I became a better person and I learned what unconditional love is and how the most important thing in parenting is endless patience. I think all mothers can relate to this.  

Not corny at all. I don’t have children of my own but from what I've heard, it really is a life-altering experience. I’ve also heard a lot about patience (and prayers for more of it :)). 

Finish the sentence: I am the happiest when I…

…am in the wilderness, far from the noise and bustle of modern life, surrounded by peace and sounds of nature. Forests, mountains, rivers, and the sea are my kind of church. 

The sounds of nature are the best, but concerts are a close second. Do you remember the 1st concert you ever attended?

The first concert I remember was in Osijek’s Zrinjevac hall during the war. I was a 6-year-old kid, and the popular local rockers of the time were playing (one of them, if I’m not mistaken was Jadranko Lešina Panta). Even though the music was super loud, I managed to fall asleep in the end. 😂

You decided to roll (over) more than rock. :)

To make sure it doesn’t happen again, I’ll wrap it up with one last question: Where's your go-to haven for culinary delight?

I love trying new dishes and exploring new places I haven’t been yet, so I’m happy that the gastronomic offer in the city has been growing lately. The best place I’ve eaten lately is Lulu Fusion Bistro; their ramen is delicious. 

Thank you, Sanja, for sharing a bit about yourself with us!