QC Avenue Tour – Exploring the QC journey with ST

Welcome to the series “Industry Stories – Team QC”, where we share the truest stories from our career journey – the joys, the challenges, and… the “funny-sad” moments behind every build.

Starting a career in QC isn’t hard, but becoming a great QC definitely is. Before we hit the road, let’s debunk some classic misconceptions about QC:

• Can anyone learn QC?
• Can anyone do QC?
• QC is just clicking, testing, and reporting bugs, right?

Today, let’s meet your tour guide – Nguyen Quang Vu (QC Team) – who will take you through a legendary road called “QC Avenue”.

Fasten your seatbelt, hold your ticket, and let’s go!

Km 0 – The “Starting Gate”

Before becoming a “gatekeeper of quality,” every QC starts with a phase of… clicking everything possible. This is the stage to get familiar with the product, understand users, and make friends with bugs.

You’ll need to simulate user behavior, click – observe – record to see if the product works as expected. Sounds simple, but it’s not: you need to observe carefully and ask the right questions.

Why stop here?
This is where testing mindset forms and you start understanding the development process. Like learning to drive: master mirrors, lights, and brakes before you hit the downhill.

Survival tips:

• Learn to write clear test cases.
• Distinguish bug vs feature – a lifesaver for your friendship with devs.
• Keep tidy notes; screenshots are your “visa stamp” for every finding.

Refuel station:
Test the “unexpected flows” – lost connection, 2% battery, emojis in number fields, switching languages mid-task. This is where curiosity thrives!

Km 10 – The “Development Fork”

At Km 10, you choose your path, but go deep into one branch:

⬅️ Left Lane – Automation Test “Code Village”

• Map: Understand code and coding mindset to automate repetitive tasks.
• Check-in: Overnight scripts, CI/CD, green reports in the morning.
• Souvenir: Read APIs, logs, mock data, set up pipelines effortlessly.

➡️ Right Lane – Performance Test “Infrastructure Valley”

• Map: Understand system architecture, infra logic, measure durability, load, and stress.
• Check-in: JMeter/K6, profiling, bottleneck analysis, database tuning.
• Souvenir: Beautiful charts explaining why “fast alone, slow under live streaming.”
  

Golden rule at Km 10:

“Know a little broadly, but deeply in one area.”

Here, QC doesn’t just find bugs – you suggest improvements, design experiences, and contribute to overall quality.

Km 25 – “Ownership Mindset” Square

After getting used to bug testing and writing test cases, you’ll realize QC is more than a bug finder – it’s about making the product better every day.

You start to:

• Coordinate sprint rhythm, push progress, prioritize tasks, assess risks, and communicate with users like friendly neighbors.
  

To stay longer in the square:

• Understand the process: requirement → development → release.
• Know the product & users better than your own pet’s name.
• Understand your team: what devs need, what designers worry about, what PMs fear, and what users expect.
  

Long-term lesson:
Great QCs have a “system compass” – they focus on user value, not just “green reports.”

Km 40 – “ST QC Zone” & Finish Line

After crossing bug-filled roads and tight deadlines, you arrive at ST QC Zone – where QCs truly mature and find their own path.

Here, you’ll tour all QC paths: Manual, Automation, and Performance Testing to discover where you fit best. ST encourages learning, offers mentorship, and opens career forks: QA, QC Technical Lead, BA, PM…

ST QC culture:

“Hands-on first, documentation later.” Learn to do, not just to know, improving product quality every day.

VIP Ticket for Newbies:

• Experienced mentors guide you.
• Starter Kit: test templates, bug report, release checklist, sample pipeline.
• Remember the mantra:

“Quality is a daily habit, not a magic trick at the end of a sprint.”

For the adventurous traveler:

• ⚠️ Steep Slope Warning: Lack of perseverance, discipline, or system thinking → easy to slide back.
• 🆘 Emergency Lane: Confused? Go back to acceptance criteria and original data.
• 🏥 Medical Station: Burnout? Take a break, reassess priorities, ask for help – no one gets left behind.

QC Toolkit: Checklist/Test Case, Risk Mindmap, Bug Template, Common Edge Cases, Handy Scripts – all you need to cross any sprint confidently.

QC Avenue isn’t a straight highway – there are slopes, valleys, hairpin turns. But the journey is unforgettable: smooth-running products, happy users, and a team that trusts each other more.

Starting is easy, finishing is hard. But with your ticket named perseverance – discipline – system thinking, you’ll reach your destination.

If you’re ready, hop on the next ride!
Your “career guide from another field” is here, left hand holding the map, right hand holding the checklist.

See you at a new milestone on QC Avenue!