Livia Bonifacio
FrontEnd
Tuesday, 3 December 2024
Could you please introduce yourself?
I’m from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and I’ve been living in Berlin for 8 years. I worked as a QA Engineer for 12 years, where I developed a strong passion for coding and solving problems. A year ago, I transitioned to front-end development, and I’ve been loving the opportunity to create and improve user experiences every day.
Whats your background?
I have a solid background in software quality assurance, having worked as a QA Engineer for 12 years. During that time, I gained extensive experience in testing processes, automation tools like Cypress and Playwright, and ensuring seamless software delivery. My attention to detail and problem-solving mindset naturally led me to transition into front-end development, where I’ve been working for the past year.
Now, as a Front-End Engineer, I’m passionate about building intuitive user interfaces and continuously improving user experiences. My QA background gives me a unique perspective on software quality, helping me create reliable and efficient solutions.
Whats your current role?
In my current role as a Front-End Engineer.
Why have you decided to learn to code?
I decided to learn to code because I’ve always been drawn to problem-solving and creating efficient solutions. During my time as a QA Engineer, I was exposed to automation tools and scripting, which sparked my curiosity about how the software was built. I realized that coding wasn’t just about writing instructions for machines; it was a creative process that combined logic and design to solve real-world problems.
I wanted to go beyond testing and start building the features and tools I was passionate about, which led me to dive deeper into programming. It’s been an exciting journey, and I love how coding allows me to bring ideas to life while constantly learning and evolving.
Do you think its important to learn to code?
Coding teaches you problem-solving, logical thinking, and creativity, skills that can be applied to almost any field. It also opens up opportunities to build things, automate repetitive tasks, or even change careers, like I did when transitioning from QA to front-end development.
Even if you don’t become a programmer, having some coding knowledge helps you communicate better with tech teams and understand the tools you use daily.
Do you feel the tech industry is male dominated? How can we encourage more women into the industry?
Yes, the tech industry is male-dominated, but there has been progress in recent years. However, the numbers still show a significant gender gap, particularly in technical roles and leadership positions.
- Promote role models: Highlight successful women in tech to show that diverse careers and achievements are possible.
- Education and mentorship: Provide access to coding workshops, mentorship programs and scholarships geared towards girls and women.
Did you struggle being a woman in the tech industry yourself?
Yes, it was always very difficult to stand out and get career promotions.
Whats the most rewarding and most challenging parts of your tech career so far?
Being a woman in technology.