TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.
I was born in South Africa, and immigrated to New Zealand with my mum when I was eight and then to Australia with my mum, stepdad, and younger brother. Everyone in my immediate family was born in the year of the dragon (even our dog), which apparently makes us an incredibly lucky family!
WHAT INITIALLY ATTRACTED YOU TO JOIN QA?
I had been looking for a company where the product and culture deeply aligned with my values. Quinton Anthony embodied both of these aspects perfectly. Human relationship is chief among my values, so I was very excited to work for a company that facilitates employment opportunities, underscored by a strong emphasis on cultivating close working relationships with both clients and candidates.
WHICH SKILLS DO YOU BRING TO THE QA TEAM?
I bring excellent communication and a readiness to learn to the QA team. I feel very comfortable communicating verbally and in writing and enjoy opportunities to improve and grow my skill set.
HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR CAREER AT QA WITH LIFE OUTSIDE OF WORK?
While I can come across as outgoing and extroverted, the reality is, by nature, I am introverted. Because of this, I balance my career with life outside of work by ensuring I have plenty of quiet time - where I can potter in my garden, read, and exercise. Often, I will prioritise time alone over social interactions and frequently go on nature walks with my partner.
IF YOU COULD INSTANTLY BECOME AN EXPERT IN SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I would love to become an expert investor! I am in awe of an investors breath of knowledge and ability to predict market movement. I would also love to be able to live a simple life on a farm and rely solely on my investments dividends.
BIGGEST PET PEEVE?
Closed-minded people. I enjoy the presence of people who are open to discussion and musing. Ultimately, we all have opinions. However, I believe it is healthy and critical to always consider all possibilities.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF PROFESSIONALLY IN 5 YEARS?
I see myself being more secure professionally, in the sense that I will be surer of where I want my career to go and confident in the skills I have accumulated. I have no particular vision presently. I'm mostly driven by my own curiosity and self-determination to be the best version of myself, always.
WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED, AND HOW HAS IT IMPACTED YOUR LIFE?
A therapist told me in my late teen years that all I needed to do in this life was to live by my own values. This advice has shaped many of my decisions and has helped me determine what is important to me. I have often found myself overwhelmed by conflicting structures of values woven into our society and have found that reflecting on whether my decisions reflect my own values brings me deep contentment.
NAME FOUR PEOPLE, LIVING OR DEAD, THAT YOU WOULD HAVE OVER FOR DINNER.
I would love to have Alain de Botton, T. S Elliot, John Donne, and Cormac McCarthy over for dinner. They are all favourite authors of mine, and I would thoroughly enjoy picking their brains on all things ethical, philosophical, and religious.
WHAT'S ONE PASSION PROJECT OF YOURS?
I am really into learning how to grow my own food. I have limited space on my terrace but have found a lot of peace and interest in planting seasonal fruits and veggies. I hope one day to have a little plot of land where I can immerse myself in my gardening.