Career paths are rarely linear. Sometimes the biggest steps in our professional development happen exactly where we never originally planned them.
Susanne’s career began in the medical field. For many years, she worked at an outpatient eye clinic. An environment that required precision, structure, and a strong sense of responsibility. After taking an extended family break, she began to think about returning to work.
What she could not foresee at the time: this step would eventually lead her into an entirely new industry.
A new beginning – and first encounters with IT
Susanne’s return to work initially led her to a role in the Project Management Office in 2013. The position offered good compatibility with family life while also providing insights into project structures and organizational processes.
While working in the field of quality assurance in the automotive industry, she came into closer contact with IT, testing, and test management for the first time. Analyzing complex systems, working systematically with error patterns, and collaborating across different disciplines sparked her interest.
“I never thought I would end up working in IT. For a long time, medicine and IT felt like two completely different worlds to me.”
However, the deeper she immersed herself in the subject, the clearer it became that many of her existing skills – analytical thinking, precision, and strong organizational abilities – were also highly valuable in IT.
The courageous step: starting a new career at 40
At the age of 40, Susanne made a conscious decision: to fully transition into the IT field.
She started in 2018 as a tester in a traditional project environment. The learning curve was steep, and the transition also came with uncertainties.
“Of course I had doubts. I asked myself whether I could take responsibility for a project without a traditional IT background.”
Nevertheless, Susanne continued to develop consistently. She immersed herself deeply in technical topics and quickly took on additional responsibilities – including acting as deputy test manager.
In 2021, she completed her test management certification and continued to grow into the role of test manager.
Taking responsibility and building expertise
In several projects, Susanne has since worked as a test manager, responsible for planning, coordinating, and ensuring the quality of complex testing processes.
Today, her professional focus lies on structured processes, professional test management, and collaborative teamwork. She has a strong ability to bring together different perspectives and establish sustainable, solution-oriented ways of working.
Colleagues particularly appreciate her structured approach, her professional clarity, and her ability to support teams in challenging project situations.
The importance of role models and support
A key turning point on her journey was a mentor – herself a test manager and also a career changer. She supported Susanne both professionally and personally, openly shared her knowledge, and provided reassurance during a time of transition.
Especially in the context of International Women’s Day, this highlights how important female role models and mutual support are in the tech industry. Growth happens where knowledge is shared and confidence is strengthened.
Today, Susanne brings this mindset into her own projects and supports colleagues on their own development journeys.
Growing at Gofore: space for new ideas
Today, Susanne works at Gofore – a company that provides her with a strong platform for continued growth. The culture is shaped by openness, mutual support, and collaboration on equal footing. As a woman in the tech industry, she experiences equality and an environment where development is actively encouraged.
At Gofore, she has the opportunity to take on responsibility, explore new topics such as Artificial Intelligence in testing, and continuously expand her expertise.
Rethinking career paths
Susanne’s journey clearly shows that a later career change is not a risk – it is an opportunity. What matters most is not a perfectly linear résumé, but the willingness to learn, personal commitment, and the courage to explore new paths.
Especially in an industry like IT, new perspectives often emerge when people have the courage to combine their previous experience with new fields.
If you would like to learn more about how we at Gofore create a working environment where different life paths can find a home
take a look here
