Hi, I work as a consultant in software testing at auticon. I haven’t had an easy life but I’ve learned that a mix of stubborness, humor, and a little chaos can take you pretty far.
I got my autism diagnosis at 33, which explains a lot of things, like why I always felt a bit “off” compared to everyone else. For most of my life, I thought I just wasn’t “good enough”. Many people still seem to think that, actually but, surprise! According to the tests, I’m technically gifted. I like to call it “selectively brilliant,” depending on the day, the subject, and above all my sensory overload level.
In my thirties, I decided to do something I never thought I could: go to university. I was sure I didn’t belong there and that I wouldn’t make it but somehow, I did. I graduated in just two and a half years, with top honors (110 cum laude). It still feels surreal mostly because my impostor syndrome insists it must have been some kind of administrative error.
Before joining auticon, I had a whole collection of jobs. My favorite one was working with dogs. It was a lot of fun, full of muddy paws and unconditional love, but it didn’t come with much stability (or, you know, a proper contract). So eventually I traded dog hair for debugging and joined the world of IT. Turns out, finding bugs in code isn’t that different from training dogs: patience, observation, and a good sense of humor are essential in both, especially when a test fails at 5:58 PM on a Friday.
Outside of work, I have a soft spot for succulent plants, mostly because they forgive me when I forget to water them and for my volunteer work as an emergency responder on ambulances. In that environment, I don’t hide my difficulties, I just know how to work with them. My tendency to stick closely to rules, directives, and protocols actually helps me stay effective under pressure, and my masking (which is practically my superpower at this point) gives me a calm, steady appearance even when things get chaotic.
I also have a sharp eye for details, something that helps a lot both in software testing and during emergency shifts. My sensory sensitivity, which can be a challenge in daily life, sometimes turns out to be unexpectedly useful: I can detect subtle smells that others miss, like the distinctive scent of hyperglycemia or other metabolic issues. It’s a strange skill to have, but in those situations, it can make a real difference.
At auticon, I continue to learn and improve every day, sometimes by choice, sometimes out of necessity for debugging. It’s not perfect, few jobs are, but that’s okay and it gives me the stability I need in my work, one bug and one save at a time.
