Software testing was once so difficult that only humans could do it. A million people a year are clicking web pages, hand-crafting scripts that marry code with automation frameworks, and creating permutations of API calls. But, the craft of software testing is changing. Every aspect of software testing is changing. Software engineering is also changing, with software accelerating developers to build “more” and “faster”, and all that software needs to be tested. Software is soon generating software–ever more software that needs to be tested. Even the rates of these changes are...
STARWEST 2024 - Keynotes
Keynotes are included in all passes! These industry visionaries will take the stage for in-depth discussions on trending topics.
Wednesday, September 25
Engineering Love Stories or Nightmares: Can QA Be Happily Ever After?
Wednesday, September 25, 2024 - 10:00am to 11:00am
Priyanka Halder, VP of QA, will delve into the fascinating journey of quality engineering over the past decade, highlighting the dynamic evolution and innovative strategies that have underpinned the success of billion-dollar health tech and media companies. The talk traces the early days of experimentation with various quality assurance models, both in-house and outsourced, reflecting on the lessons learned and the pivotal decisions that shaped the future of quality in the industry. A significant milestone in this journey was the strategic partnership with the developer experience team and...
Lightning Strikes the Keynotes
Wednesday, September 25, 2024 - 4:15pm to 5:15pm
Throughout the years, Lightning Talks have been a popular part of the STAR conferences. If you’re not familiar with the concept, Lightning Talks consists of a series of five-minute talks by different speakers within one presentation period. Lightning Talks are the opportunity for speakers to deliver their single biggest bang-for-the-buck idea in a rapid-fire presentation. And now, lightning has struck the STAR keynotes. Some of the best-known experts in testing will step up to the podium and give you their best shot of lightning. Get multiple keynote presentations for the price of one—and...
Thursday, September 26
Revenge of the Nerds: How to Build a Tech Career Niche in the AI-verse
Thursday, September 26, 2024 - 8:30am to 9:30am
A major question so many of us have on our minds is, HOW do I shift my career to something related to AI so I can stay relevant? This has been coming from industry professionals as well as college grads/new job seekers across ALL industries. QA is no exception! Dona shifted her career to an AI niche in the past year and have hassled and helped many others do the same thing. She want to help YOU do it, too. Let's discuss. What is AI today? What are the five skill sets relevant in the AI-verse? How can you create a career niche in the AI-verse based on your industry and goals? Lastly, Dona...
You Don't Talk about That at Work!
Thursday, September 26, 2024 - 4:15pm to 5:15pm
There are things you don't discuss with your colleagues—even less so with your boss. Mental health issues are certainly a big no-no. Sophie Küster will discuss her experiences talking about the big workplace "No-Nos" and how that led her to support herself, as well gaining support from her boss, co-workers, and mentors. Ultimately, being able to discuss these workplace taboos led to her and others becoming their most authentic selves. When Sophie started working as an agile tester, she kept her history a secret. She didn't speak openly about topics that were close to her heart: mental...