Anna Okhremenko, QA engineer at MWDN

1. Some key points about Anna

• Anna Okhremenko
• 32 years 
• Have been working as a QA engineer for over 7 years, 5 of them – at MWDN
• Have a cat called Bash, and a dog called Adele

2. More about Bash and Adele

Our cat was around 12 years old when we brought the dog home, and he wasn’t thrilled about the new addition. He’d swat our new pup with his paw or hiss to show his displeasure. But as Adele grew up, he either came to terms with the change or realized she could stand up to him. While they don’t have the kind of bond where they snuggle together, they respect each other’s space. 

Emotions can run high in daily life, but pets have a way of shifting our focus. Their acts and behavior can make us smile, or a walk with them can clear the air and help us reset.

3. Birds and birdwatching

That’s a tough question for me. If you asked about the most unique or beautiful bird, I couldn’t pick just one—every bird is beautiful and unique in its own way. Ukraine is home to about 424 bird species, and I’ve only seen 130 so far, so there’s plenty left to explore!

One bird that left a lasting impression on me is the white-tailed eagle. Its wingspan can reach up to 2.5 meters, which is breathtaking on its own, but its history is equally fascinating. It’s listed in Ukraine’s Red Data Book, a protected species. You should Google it—it has some amazing facts.

As for color, I love the common bee-eater and the blue-eared kingfisher for their vibrant hues. But I was also pleasantly surprised to spot a Eurasian bullfinch and a European nightjar—both incredible in their own right!

I don’t have a specific favorite birdwatching spot because you can find interesting birds almost anywhere—whether it’s a forest, field, meadow, lake, river, or even while driving in a car. Every place has its own unique birds to discover. And since there are still so many species I haven’t seen, every trip into nature feels like a new opportunity. By the way, when you spot a bird species for the first time, it’s called a “lifer.”

4. Do you see any connection between your passion for birdwatching and software testing? Do both require patience and attention to detail? And are birds just about their beauty?

Birds are definitely beautiful, but that’s just the beginning. Watching them is both visually pleasing and an opportunity to learn something new about each species. It’s a lot like testing in that you need patience, focus, and determination. For instance, I tried three times to get a clear photo of the Yellow-crested Goldfinch, one of our smallest and quickest birds. She’s so fast that one second, she’s right in front of you, and the next, she’s on another branch. The challenge sharpens your observation skills, much like how spotting subtle issues in testing can be tricky. Both hobbies require you to stay alert and notice even the smallest movements or details!

5. How did you get into testing? What sparked your interest in this field?

After finishing university, I worked for nearly two years in the support department of a Ukrainian product IT company. While it was a valuable experience, there wasn’t much room for growth, so I started considering my next steps. At that time, most of the people around me were involved in IT. To get on the same page with them, I decided to give testing a try and see if it was a good fit for me. I quickly realized I enjoyed it because it offers constant learning and development — every day brings something new. Even in my support role, I was already doing a bit of testing by reproducing user-reported bugs and passing them on to the developers. So, the transition felt natural.

I began as a manual tester and later got into automated testing mainly out of curiosity, wanting to understand how it works. However, I find manual testing more engaging. It allows for interaction, putting yourself in the user’s shoes and trying to replicate their journey. That hands-on approach feels more dynamic to me.

What I enjoy most about my work is investigating strange, elusive bugs and figuring out how to reproduce them. It feels like solving a puzzle. As for things I don’t like — honestly, I believe if there’s something you’re not happy with, it’s a sign to make a change and explore new possibilities.

6. What do you prefer — remote work or working from the office?

I definitely prefer remote work, especially with the way things are today. It saves me from commuting every day, which means I save both time and money. Plus, with remote work, I can be flexible and work from any city or place as long as I have a reliable internet connection.

7. Can you share a funny or unusual bug from your career that still stands out to you?

Absolutely! There was a time when we could draw a geometric-shaped geofence on the map. Normally, when an object crosses the edge of the geofence, the user receives one notification. However, I discovered a quirky bug that triggered two notifications instead! It happened when the object crossed the geofence right at a corner, effectively splitting it in half. The developer found it amusing, which added a fun twist to the situation!

8. I see that you enjoy birds and cycling! What other hobbies do you have?

Although I don’t ride my bike as often these days—there always seem to be excuses—I have picked up some other hobbies. One of my favorites is diamond painting; it’s a relaxing activity that helps clear my mind. I also enjoy coloring various pages with pencils. With the shorter days, I’ve been catching up on my walks on the treadmill, which I prefer over running. I incorporate some exercises and Pilates into my routine as well.

I love reading, especially books about birds, history, or fiction. Recently, I was captivated by “I See You’re Interested in the Dark.” I started with the audiobook and was so hooked that I bought the e-book the same day, finishing it in just three days—so engrossing that I even forgot to eat!

In the fall, I sometimes get inspired to knit scarves or hats, and I have a passion for mushroom picking. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of finding a porcini mushroom—it’s like a little adventure each time!

9. Do you travel often? What’s the most interesting place you’ve visited?

I don’t travel as much these days, but I used to explore various places within the country. One of my favorite memories is visiting Petrykivka, famous for its vibrant Petrykivka painting. The bright strokes that transform into flowers and birds are simply mesmerizing. I also visited Zmiina Gora, where the Vorskla River flows into the Dnipro. The view of the valley and its floodplains is breathtaking. Each place holds its own beauty and charm!

10. If you could live in any time period and location, what era and region would you choose?

I would choose the present, specifically the years 2012 to 2018, and extend that period. Those years were the best for me in terms of experiences and emotions. I wouldn’t want to live in other eras because they lacked the advancements in technology and medicine that we have today. Plus, I’m not keen on the idea of dying from a disease like the plague at the age of 30! While I might like to witness some historical events, I prefer to enjoy them from a distance rather than live through them.

11. Question from Dmytro Bilotserkivskyi (the previous hero of the column): Tell the tester about your most epic failure at work.

As if there was no such thing, I don’t remember.

12. Write a question you want to ask the next MWDN people hero.

What tools help you manage your time both at work and in everyday life?