My name is Alona Hrechka and I’m a Quality Assurance (QA) and Support Engineer at a software company called REGnosys, which develops technology that helps firms comply with financial regulations.

I joined REGnosys earlier this year, and my role is all about ensuring our web application, Rosetta, is reliable, user-friendly, and delivers a great experience for our clients.

People often hear about working in tech in abstract terms, so I wanted to share my journey and what a typical day actually looks like – from collaborating with my team to solving real problems that make a difference for users.I really do believe that tech is an amazing space for women looking for a challenging, varied, and rewarding career and hope this comes across!

How I found my way into tech

My journey into tech wasn’t something I planned from day one. I started in customer-facing roles and gradually moved closer to the product, which helped me discover that QA was the perfect space for me – a role that combines problem-solving, communication, and technical thinking.

My university degree is in Economics, and I never actually worked in that field. Instead, my first job in tech in customer support set the direction for my career. I learned on the job, took courses in QA automation, and explored tools like Playwright and Cypress, which helped me transition into a dedicated QA role.

One of the biggest challenges was adapting to a new country and building confidence in my technical skills, especially as English isn’t my first language. What surprised me most is how collaborative tech really is – working closely with developers, product teams, and users makes the work far more rewarding than I expected.

That journey is what led me to my role at REGnosys today – and this is what a typical day now looks like…

Starting the day as a QA and Support Engineer

To kick off the day we usually have a quick team meeting where we share what we worked on the day before, what we’re tackling today, and any blockers we anticipate.

It’s a great way to start, not just for the benefit of planning and getting organised, but to also connect with the team and bounce ideas off one another.

I feel it always sets the tone for a productive day and catching up briefly with everyone really helps create a positive rhythm and mindset for the day ahead.

For anyone starting in tech, I would say don’t underestimate the power of team connections. Being able to communicate, ask questions, and collaborate is just as important as developing technical skills.

Problem-solving in a QA engineer role

Once the morning stand-up wraps up, I begin checking incoming client queries. I investigate issues, troubleshoot problems, and provide workarounds where possible. I gather the right details and pass them on to the development team so they can fix issues quickly.

Being a bridge between clients and developers is a part of the role I really enjoy. It’s satisfying to know that solving a problem today directly improves someone else’s experience.

Late morning is usually QA time. I test new features, run regression tests, and ensure updates meet the standards our clients expect. I also look for ways to improve workflows, automate repetitive tasks, and refine documentation.

Seeing a bug I’ve caught get fixed, or a process I improved to save time for the team, is incredibly rewarding because I am able to see the impact of my work in real-time.

Lunch and recharge

Lunchtime is usually a chance for me to step away, recharge, and sometimes squeeze in a short yoga session when working from home. I’ve learned that taking small breaks, especially on busy days, is a great way to keep focused and keep my energy levels up.

Collaborating across teams in a tech role

Afternoons often involve lots of cross-team collaboration. I work closely with development, product, and client services to tackle tricky issues or improve processes.

I really enjoy collaborating with colleagues across different teams. When everyone’s minds come together to solve a complex problem, it not only leads to great results but also reminds me how much teamwork is at the heart of our success.

One of the most rewarding parts of my role is seeing how teamwork across different skillsets leads to better solutions, and it reminds me why diversity in tech matters - different perspectives really do make a difference.

Later in the afternoon, I often dive into bigger QA projects. I’m currently enhancing our automated testing framework to make regression testing faster and more thorough. This helps the team deliver updates confidently and efficiently.

Working on projects like this makes me feel valued and that I’m contributing to the bigger picture, building tools and processes that make everyone’s work easier and more effective.

Wrapping up and reflection

Before finishing the day, I review any open support cases, document my work, and make a plan for tomorrow.

Starting out in the tech industry can be overwhelming at first, especially if you don’t feel like you have everything figured out - but staying curious and asking questions makes all the difference.

Advice for women exploring tech careers

My main piece of advice for women interested in getting into tech is that you don’t need to know everything from day one. Stay curious, ask questions and be flexible. Things won’t always go to plan, but challenges are opportunities to grow.

At REGnosys, I’m happy to have found a place where my contributions matter, where I’m trusted to take ownership of my work, supported while learning, and where I’m constantly developing new skills. This embodies exactly why tech is such a rewarding field for women.

Interested in exploring a career in tech?

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