TARA MORGAN | SOFTWARE TESTER
They say that curiosity killed the cat, but for Tara it’s the key to success. Whether it’s precisely scanning the horizon for the next perfect wave, or meticulously investigating every product, it’s in her nature to always be one step ahead. A problem-solver, a strategist, and professionally inquisitive, Tara is redefining success one project at a time.
We caught up with Tara to hear all about how she forged her career in tech.
Firstly, tell us a bit about yourself.
My name’s Tara, I’m a Quality Assurance Engineer and Software Tester. I test software to see if there are any bugs or defects in it, and make sure that the quality is good before it’s put out to customers.
You currently work for FinTech. What does FinTech do?
FinTech, full name Financial Technology, is trying to make people’s lives easier and better. The company tries to help people with their credit scores and improve them, and I think that technology is a huge part of that.
How did you get into the tech sector?
So, I kind of fell into software testing. It wasn’t something that I really knew much about, but I started working for a medical software company based in Cornwall as their customer and tech support. Through that I learned how to use the software, I got a really good, in-depth understanding of it, and they had a development department within the company so I asked if they would consider taking me on as a junior software tester and thankfully they agreed to do that. They trained me up, and from there I learned all about the company and how to be a software tester!
What are the most interesting parts of your tech career so far?
The medicare company that I worked for did patient care. We had devices that tested people’s blood and checked the rate at which blood clots, or we looked at people’s blood for COVID for example, switching our devices around to test for that instead which was really interesting, and something none of us expected to do. It just shows how technology can flip around and be used whenever you need it.
What do you love most about your current job?
I love the fact that my job still involves a little bit of investigation! I’m trying to find issues and problem-solve. You have to be curious and I love learning all the time. You’re constantly learning, it never stops and I love that.
What did you do before working in tech?
Before working in tech I worked for a radio station in Cornwall, and before that I was actually a Detective Constable in the police for seven and a half years. I completely changed my career and diverted to a different path but I absolutely love it and I’m glad I’m in the tech world.
Tell us about the tech world in Cornwall.
Tech is a lot bigger in Cornwall than people realise - there are a lot of software companies down here and a lot happening. We’ve got the FibreHub in Pool where a lot of software companies go to work. We've got TECGirls that has been started up to help support girls coming through school and going into technology and being able to understand what careers and possibilities there are for them out there. There’s a lot happening in the South West in terms of technology, I just think people aren’t necessarily aware of it, there are a lot of opportunities and a lot of options down here.
Why aren’t people aware of Cornwall’s tech sector?
I don’t think people know about Cornwall’s tech sector because maybe it’s not publicised enough. There’s not that much media coverage on it. A lot of people don’t understand the opportunities that there are, they think that maybe there are developers and that’s it, but actually there is so much more than that.
There is so much more scope in technology for people to have careers like testers, or product owners, product managers, product designers, there are all sorts of things that people could do and they just don’t realise. I think more could be done in schools to promote that and for kids to understand what’s out there. I think tech is a really great sector, especially when you can work anywhere in the world with it.
What do you love about Cornwall?
I love everything about Cornwall! I love the beaches, I love the coast paths, I love surfing but I also love running and walking. I love the community down here, I think we have an amazing community - everything that happens in the summer is great but actually over the winter there are so many events and things going on.
Cornwall is a really great place to be and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I want to stay down here because I love the outdoor lifestyle. Tech gives me the opportunity to live down here and still have a great career, which is absolutely perfect for me.
What do you love about surfing?
I love surfing because I love
the feeling that you get when you catch a wave. It’s like you’re in meditation, everything else stops, you don’t think about anything else, you don’t think about any other problems. It’s just you and the wave and enjoying it.
Digital Futures is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Cornwall Council has been chosen by Government as a Lead Authority for the fund and is responsible for monitoring the progress of projects funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK by investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus.
Kommentare