Dohee Lee
Junior Test Engineer
Saturday, 5 April 2025
Could you please introduce yourself?
Hi, I’m Dohee! I’m currently working as a Junior Test Engineer at Intercede, mainly focusing on manual testing. I’m originally from South Korea but moved to the UK when I was 12. I studied Aviation Management at university, but after graduating, I found myself really drawn to the tech world. That curiosity led me to a coding bootcamp, which completely changed the direction of my career — and I’ve been in tech ever since!
Whats your background?
I have a degree in Aviation Management, and before moving into tech, I didn’t have a traditional STEM background. I came into this space through self-learning and then a bootcamp, which helped me land my first job as a frontend developer at Genius Hub. After a few months, I joined Intercede and transitioned into a testing role, where I really found what I enjoy most — breaking things (in a good way) and making sure everything works properly!
Whats your current role?
I’m a Junior Test Engineer at Intercede. I focus mainly on manual testing, making sure everything runs smoothly before it reaches the users. I really enjoy exploring how things work, catching bugs, and improving the quality of the product but i would love to transition into automation in the future.
Why have you decided to learn to code?
Honestly, it started out of curiosity. I wanted to understand how websites and apps actually work behind the scenes. Once I started learning, I got really into it — I loved the logic, the creativity, and the feeling of building something from scratch. That’s when I knew I wanted to explore it more seriously, so I joined a coding bootcamp to dive deeper.
Do you think its important to learn to code?
I think it is, even if you don’t want to become a developer. Learning to code teaches you how to think logically and solve problems, which is valuable in any field. Plus, understanding how technology works is becoming more and more useful in our daily lives. You don’t have to be an expert, but even a basic understanding can open so many doors.
Do you feel the tech industry is male dominated? How can we encourage more women into the industry?
Yes, I do think the industry is still male-dominated in many areas, though it’s slowly improving. I think representation really matters — when more women see other women in tech roles, it helps break that “this isn’t for me” mindset. More mentorship programs, inclusive environments, and early exposure to tech in schools could make a big difference. Also, sharing real stories of women transitioning into tech, like mine, can help show that it is possible, even without a traditional background.
Did you struggle being a woman in the tech industry yourself?
There have definitely been moments where I felt like I didn’t quite belong or doubted myself — especially coming from a non-tech background. Imposter syndrome is real! But I’ve been lucky to work with supportive teams so far, and I’m learning to speak up, ask questions, and trust my skills more. The key for me has been finding communities and people who lift each other up.
Whats the most rewarding and most challenging parts of your tech career so far?
The most rewarding part has been seeing how far I’ve come in a short time — from someone who didn’t know how to write a single line of code to working in the industry and contributing to real products. The most challenging part has been learning to be okay with not knowing everything. Tech moves fast, and there’s always more to learn. But I’ve realized that it’s okay to ask questions, to make mistakes, and to keep growing one step at a time.