We met online. Skype to be precise. Just a random person I did not know, submitting to our conference. And we talk to everyone on Skype.
As the call started, we had our cameras on like we always do to begin a call, to create a contact between people instead of feeling like a phonemail of strangers. And as his camera was turned on, we were in for a surprise. It was clear we were about to talk to a teenage boy who had just submitted to a testing conference.
We talked for 15 minutes, like with everyone. It was clear that based on his talk proposal, we would not be selecting him. But listening to him was different. His thoughts were clear and articulated. He was excited about learning. He was frustrated about people dismissing him - he had submitted to tens of conferences, and we were the second he would hear back from. We asked him questions, poked his experience and message and got inspired. Inspired enough to suggest that regardless of what would be our decision on this conference, I would be delighted if we would accept my help as a speaker mentor, and I could help him hone his message further. He had delivered a keynote in Romanian Testing Conference through local connections, and was driven for more. 15 minutes was enough to realize that Harry Girlea is awesome.
When later met him for going through his talk and talked for 40 minutes, the first impression strengthened. This 13-year old is more articulate than many adults. When he told me stories of how wonderful he felt testing with professional games testers in game realms, I could hear he was proud of his learnings. And when he coined why he loves testing as "As tester, things are similar but are never the same“, all I could do is say that with my extra 30 years of experience, I feel the same.
It became clear that he wanted to be a bigger part of it, speaking in conferences and learning more on testing.
We improved his talk proposal, and he submits again. For European Testing Conference, we have not made our choice yet. But I hope we are not the only ones seriously considering him.
The kids of today learn fast. Us adults have lot to learn from them.
As the call started, we had our cameras on like we always do to begin a call, to create a contact between people instead of feeling like a phonemail of strangers. And as his camera was turned on, we were in for a surprise. It was clear we were about to talk to a teenage boy who had just submitted to a testing conference.
We talked for 15 minutes, like with everyone. It was clear that based on his talk proposal, we would not be selecting him. But listening to him was different. His thoughts were clear and articulated. He was excited about learning. He was frustrated about people dismissing him - he had submitted to tens of conferences, and we were the second he would hear back from. We asked him questions, poked his experience and message and got inspired. Inspired enough to suggest that regardless of what would be our decision on this conference, I would be delighted if we would accept my help as a speaker mentor, and I could help him hone his message further. He had delivered a keynote in Romanian Testing Conference through local connections, and was driven for more. 15 minutes was enough to realize that Harry Girlea is awesome.
When later met him for going through his talk and talked for 40 minutes, the first impression strengthened. This 13-year old is more articulate than many adults. When he told me stories of how wonderful he felt testing with professional games testers in game realms, I could hear he was proud of his learnings. And when he coined why he loves testing as "As tester, things are similar but are never the same“, all I could do is say that with my extra 30 years of experience, I feel the same.
It became clear that he wanted to be a bigger part of it, speaking in conferences and learning more on testing.
We improved his talk proposal, and he submits again. For European Testing Conference, we have not made our choice yet. But I hope we are not the only ones seriously considering him.
The kids of today learn fast. Us adults have lot to learn from them.
