Márk Keresztúri, a software tester at FrontEndART, recognized the potential in testing already during his university years. He tried himself in numerous projects, where he often stood his ground as the sole tester. As a result, he now confidently navigates both manual and automated testing.
In this interview, he talks about how his career started, how he continuously develops his knowledge, and why he considers the role of a tester especially important.
Q: How did you become a software tester?
A: It all started during my business informatics bachelor's program at the University of Szeged (SZTE). Although we only touched on testing in a few classes, the topic really interested me. When I was looking for a place to do my internship, I found FrontEndART’s tester mentoring program, which turned out to be a great opportunity – and allowed me to complete my mandatory university practice as well.
During the internship, I was immediately placed on a live project, as the only tester. This challenge, the inspiring community, and the opportunities for professional development quickly confirmed to me that software testing was the right path.
Q: How did you experience the mentoring program?
A: The mentoring program was an excellent opportunity for me as a beginner to gain a broad understanding of the basics of software testing. I was able to develop my practical skills on live projects. It was both intimidating and very inspiring.
The training was based on the principles of the ISTQB, and as a mentee, I had the guidance of experienced mentors. The program also included events and workshops where I could get to know the team better, network, and exchange experiences – from which I learned a lot. This supportive environment ensured not only professional growth but also made me part of the professional community.
The mentor support continued even after completing the program. Later, I tried mentoring myself, and today I work as a colleague with my former mentee.
Q: What do you think makes a tester successful?
A: In my opinion, the most important skill of a successful tester is critical thinking. In fact, sometimes it’s advantageous to adopt unusual approaches. This helps in identifying hidden or unexpected bugs that others might not even notice – even though these would eventually cause problems in a real environment.
It’s also beneficial if someone continuously develops their practical knowledge. At FrontEndART, for instance, there’s a separate hands-on “workshop” program for testers. This approach results in much more effective and faster learning than purely theoretical training.
Q: What advice would you give to those who are considering career choices?
A: If someone wants to start a career in software testing, first of all, it's important to know that a degree is not necessarily a requirement – but if you want to move toward automated testing, it certainly helps if you’ve already encountered the basics of programming, which universities usually provide a good foundation for.
The ISTQB certification is an expectation at many companies during the hiring process, and in my experience, it's achievable with a relatively small investment of time.
It’s important that beginner testers recognize that the tester mindset – the critical detection of potential errors – often matters more than a developer’s way of thinking.
Constant concentration and sharp, focused thinking are essential, since testing experience can be gained from many different sources (such as websites and practice platforms). Good communication is also of key importance, as you often need to coordinate with the team multiple times a day during a project.
If you already have some knowledge of testing from university studies or self-research, it’s worth taking advantage of what mentoring programs offer. With the guidance of an experienced mentor, you can acquire a large amount of foundational knowledge in a short time, which can be a significant advantage later in the job market.