From Developer to QA Leader: Ravikalaa Krishnan's Journey in Tech

Ravikalaa Krishnan, Principal Consultant at Capco, shares her inspiring career journey, starting from her foundational training in Java during her Master’s to becoming a leader in Software Development and QA testing. 

In this insightful blog, she reflects on the challenges she faced as a woman in tech, transitioning into the UK job market during the financial crisis, and how her background in development has shaped her approach to QA testing. Let’s dive in!

How did your initial training in Java during your Masters in Computer Applications prepare you for your career in Software Development and QA testing?

My training during my Master's was a blend of both theory and practical experience. We not only learned programming concepts and object-oriented principles, but were also involved in numerous hands-on activities. From implementing small algorithms to problem-solving exercises, about 50% of the curriculum focused on practical application. These lab activities and assessments helped me gain technical expertise in Java, which is one of the most widely used programming languages in the industry. Additionally, solving algorithms and writing code laid a strong foundation for my transition into QA testing, where I was able to apply this knowledge effectively.

What were your observations regarding gender representation in the tech industry when you started your career, and how did those observations change as you moved up the career ladder?

When I started my career in 2005, there was very low representation of women in tech, especially in engineering and technology roles. By the time I moved to the UK in 2008, most teams I worked with still had very few women. It felt like a “‘boys' club’", especially in leadership and technical roles, while women were more commonly found in non-technical positions, such as HR or product management.

I also noticed many women, particularly after having children, either left the workforce entirely or took long breaks before returning. Personally, I took a one-year gap after having my child and returned to work, but many of my colleagues didn't have the same luxury or support.

Fortunately, in recent years, I’ve seen a positive shift. There's greater awareness and more initiatives focused on increasing diversity. For example, I’m involved with outreach programs at Capco, where we engage with organizations like She Can Code and DevelopHer to educate young women about career paths in tech. We visit schools and talk to girls about their options, showing them that tech isn't just about coding – there are roles like Business Analysts and other opportunities that also offer meaningful careers.

Can you describe the challenges you faced when transitioning to a new job market in the UK during the financial crisis, and how you overcame them to rebuild your career as a Test Analyst?

Transitioning into the UK job market during the 2008 financial crisis was incredibly challenging. I arrived at a time when unemployment was high, and competition for jobs was fierce. I was also living outside of London-  in Bristol, which limited my job opportunities even further. Despite having some development experience in India, I didn’t have much exposure to formal QA practices or certifications, which made it difficult to secure a role.

After months of applying and facing rejection, I was eventually offered a role by a public sector company in Reading. There was a condition: I had to obtain a QA certification within six months. This was a turning point for me. I studied for the ISTQB certification while working and, with the support of my team, I passed the exam and rebuilt my career as a Test Analyst.

How has Capco supported you in your career so far and what is your favourite thing about working there?

Capco has been incredibly supportive of my career growth. I joined as a Senior Consultant, and within a year, I was promoted to Principal Consultant. This was a pleasant surprise, as I hadn’t expected to be promoted so soon. 

One of the best things about working at Capco is their “Be Yourself At Work" culture. I love that Capco values diversity and encourages everyone to bring their unique perspectives to the table, regardless of background or language. As a woman of color and a non-native English speaker, I’ve never felt that my opinions were overlooked; the company fosters a culture of respect and inclusivity.

Capco also excels in promoting Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I). In every town hall or leadership update, there’s always a segment dedicated to DE&I, including initiatives to increase the representation of women in tech. It’s reassuring to see that these conversations are happening at the leadership level, and it makes me proud to be part of an organization that actively supports women in technology.

How has your background as a Software Developer influenced your approach to QA testing, particularly in ensuring that the products meet customer quality expectations?

My background in software development has significantly influenced my approach to QA testing. Having coding experience allows me to collaborate more effectively with developers. For instance, I often participate in pair programming sessions, where I provide insights on test-driven development (TDD) or behavior-driven development (BDD).

As a QA, my role is to think critically about potential issues, including edge cases, and ensure that any vulnerabilities in the code are identified and addressed early. This shift-left testing approach allows us to catch problems sooner, improving the overall quality of the product. My development expertise also gives me an advantage when reviewing code and working alongside developers to deliver better results faster.

QA testing is known to be a multi-faceted job. Which skills do you believe you have developed the most throughout your career, and how have they contributed to your success in the field?

The two most important skills I’ve developed are technical adaptability and communication. On the technical side, I've had to constantly upskill and learn new tools as technology evolves. When I started, we were using Java and Selenium, but now tools like Cypress and Playwright are popular for testing React-based applications. Staying on top of industry trends is crucial to delivering quality products.

The second skill is communication. QA often involves pointing out mistakes in the product, and it’s essential to do this in a way that is constructive and doesn’t create friction within the team. I’ve learned to address issues diplomatically and focus on problem-solving. Building rapport with both technical teams and business stakeholders has been key to ensuring that the products we deliver meet both technical and customer expectations.

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