Joining Softwire was a big move for me. From working for a number of years in a non-IT role at a large and well-established corporation, I was about to join a much smaller company to pursue a testing role – an area in which I had very little experience and had studied only briefly as part of my degree course. With Softwire growing by the day so was their need for testing skills and I was excited to discover that I was to be Softwire’s first full-time, designated tester.
From the outset I was given a mentor to guide me in the right direction and help alleviate any concerns I had during my induction. The support I received during those first few months was invaluable as I broadened my knowledge, skills and experience. As my abilities developed, I was able to see many of my ideas put into practice – a source of real job satisfaction. With dedicated testing being a new role here, there has been a lot of scope to tweak the role to match my preferences; consequently I feel very much in control over my career prospects and progression.
Although some people have reservations about working for a smaller company, the advantages really do outweigh any disadvantages. At Softwire your ideas, thoughts and opinions are valued and you’re able to have a greater impact on the company’s direction and future plans. There’s a real sense of community and togetherness at Softwire that larger companies often lack. We all take it in turns to organise fun activities throughout the year - and our friends are welcome too! One example is the annual company picnic on the Heath, where we spend the afternoon soaking up the sun and playing field games. The breadth of activities available to staff reflects not only the company’s strong commitment to work-life balance but also to inclusivity.
The working atmosphere at Softwire is very chilled out. Softwire operates flexi-time, which means I can get in after the rush hour commuters and feel more relaxed and ready to start work. There’s an awesome games room, which all my friends are jealous of, and which can be used at our leisure throughout the day (once any urgent work has been completed of course).
Working at Softwire has certainly changed my opinion of smaller companies – or at least of this smaller company! If you are open to new challenges and are motivated in your work you can progress extremely well here, surrounded by a team that genuinely cares about you and your career development.
Rita Pindoria
