Meet Adam Pogorzelski our Team Lead QA

Congratulations on your promotion, Adam! Tell us more about your new role and what it entails.

Thank you! I’m really excited about my new role as QA Team Lead at Hypatos. In this position, I oversee our Quality Assurance team, which involves coordinating testing efforts to ensure our software meets the highest standards before it reaches our clients. My day-to-day tasks include planning, executing, and optimizing our QA processes, as well as mentoring my team to foster their growth and development. It’s a role that combines technical skills with leadership, and every day brings new challenges and learning opportunities.  

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Life Philosophy: Building on that, let's delve into the principles that have guided your journey. Do you have a personal motto or philosophy that shapes your approach to both work and life?  

While I don’t have a specific motto that I live by, a guiding principle in both my professional and personal life is to always put myself in someone else's shoes. Whether it's in everyday interactions or during testing phases at work, this empathetic approach helps me to better understand the behaviours and needs of others. From a QA point of view, this mindset also allows me to anticipate user reactions early in the design process, ensuring that functionalities are more user-friendly and intuitive from the beginning. On a personal level, practising empathy enriches my relationships and helps me become a better person, fostering a deeper connection and understanding with those around me, especially in these difficult times.

Life Before Hypatos: What led you to your current career path, and were there any pivotal moments or experiences that shaped your professional trajectory?

My journey into the world of quality assurance started back in college. I was always into tech and software, and together with a few buddies, we would dive into how software is made and how to keep its quality top-notch. It was something we were really passionate about, outside of our regular studies. I think my first opportunity as a „Quality Assurance Specialist” was a pivotal moment for me. It was a moment where I got to put all that classroom theory into real practice, and it just clicked for me. That experience confirmed that I was on the right track, and it's been about making sure software is the best it can be ever since.  

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From Day One to Now: Reflecting on your time at Hypatos, what has been the most rewarding aspect of working here? How do you feel you've grown both personally and professionally since joining?

Reflecting on my time at Hypatos so far, one of the most rewarding aspects has definitely been contributing to the development of AI-based solutions. It's fascinating to work on technology that's actively shaping our reality. My arrival at Hypatos coincided with a significant ”boom” in the AI market and a huge social adoption, which has made my experience here even more exciting. What I truly value is the deep domain knowledge our team members bring to the table. Their expertise not only gives us a competitive edge but also pushes us toward more creative solutions for our technology. On a personal and professional level, this environment has greatly contributed to my growth, expanding my understanding and skills in ways I hadn't imagined before joining the team.

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Navigating Challenges: Every career journey comes with its fair share of obstacles. What does it look like in the QA team when things don’t go as smoothly?

Obstacles are a part of our everyday life. I often liken it to playing a continuous game of football, where QA acts as the goalkeeper. The final number of goals conceded directly depends on the goalkeeper, but the number of dangerous situations near the goal depends on the whole team. The team's strategy and how well the members coordinate with each other ultimately affect the final outcome.

I have yet to encounter an organization where minor slip-ups don't happen, but the way we work together and how quickly we can respond to challenges is something unique that I have not experienced anywhere else in my career so far.

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Hypatos Team: Describe our team and company culture in your own words. Any memorable team stories you'd like to share?

Hypatos is an organization that brings together experts from around the globe. Despite the physical distance between us, it fosters a strong sense of unity as we all work towards a common goal, something I deeply appreciate. Beyond the times when we are intensely focused on delivering top-notch solutions, we have shared spaces where we can exchange anecdotes or even discuss the etymology of certain words in our various native languages. This blend of professional and personal interaction makes our team not just productive but also unique.  

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Personal Projects: What’s your favorite way to unwind and recharge outside of business hours? Whether it's a hobby, a favorite pastime, or a quirky interest, we'd love a sneak peek of Adam in casual mode.

When I'm not at Hypatos, I recharge the battery by heading to the mountains. There's something about riding enduro through local (sometimes not-so-local) bike parks that really rejuvenates me, even though I'm physically exhausted. It's a blend of exploring nature and a dash of adrenaline that really brings a smile to my face. I also have a passion for motorsports, whether it's watching rallies or testing my own limits on a racetrack. Aside from these high-energy activities, I cherish spending quality time with my loved ones and occasionally shutting off overthinking by getting lost in a good series or a book. These activities help me unwind and ensure I'm refreshed and ready for new challenges at work.  

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Mentorship and Support: Mentorship plays a crucial role in career development. Have you had any influential mentors in your life?

Even if I do follow many people whose work in QA is quite inspiring, I actually don't have to look far beyond our own organization for mentorship. We have a group of exceptional individuals right here at Hypatos, from whom I learn daily. Their expertise and approach to many aspects not only enhance my skills but also continually shape my perspective on how to excel in what I do. This environment of shared knowledge and support plays a vital role in my professional growth.

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Future Aspirations: Lastly, what are your aspirations for the future, both within your role at Hypatos and beyond?

My current aspiration is to give my all in my new role to continue effectively building and maintaining the level of our "football team" here at Hypatos. As for the distant future, I don’t have specific expectations; my only wish is to keep surrounding myself with people as remarkable as those I work with now.  

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