Paul Holland: “If you’re not learning at work, you’re not going to enjoy work”

Paul Holland is a software tester and has been in the testing industry for 29 years. He shares how the 4 years of university taught him he doesn’t want to be a developer “I was good at programming, I just didn't enjoy it, I did enjoy software”. This highlights the importance of being honest with yourself, discovering what you truly enjoy, and pursuing it. “If you’re not learning at work, you’re not gonna enjoy work, that needs to be something you want to learn, something you want to improve”, says Paul.  He shares his perspective on AI, noting how often it can provide incorrect information. He discusses the usefulness of AI, its limitations, and the crucial role humans play in determining which information to take in consideration. “Too much stress is dangerous. Not enough stress, you’re going to stagnate”. There are times when excessive stress causes people to break down making it crucial to take time off, pushing too hard can be dangerous.  Paul shares one of his personal experiences where during his first solo flight, challenging weather conditions tested his limits - much like in testing, where you're given a task with no clear idea how to tackle it. But when you figure it out, the sense of accomplishment is immense. Our host is Alex Mocioi, a professional with 20 years of experience in software engineering and 10 years of experience in tech training. Shift Happens podcast is supported this season by Mindera - Romania, leader in software development.