In this series, we are featuring Team8s who worked at 8x8, left to pursue other interests, and then returned to our team. We’re so excited to welcome back Adriana Zăhan, Senior Quality Assurance Engineer.

8x8: Adriana, welcome back to the team! Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you do at 8x8?

Adriana Zăhan (AZ): I work as a Quality Assurance Engineer on the Carbon team in Cluj-Napoca, which is the team responsible for back-end testing our Contact Center solution. I am also a mother and a big fat lazy cat owner (the pusheen type.)

8x8: Did you always know you wanted to pursue a career in Quality Assurance?

AZ: Up until my late 30s I had no idea I would ever work in technology. I studied foreign languages and have a university degree in Sociology, but I’ve always had an eye for spotting inconsistencies and always liked to think about how things can be improved. After returning from maternity leave, I was offered the opportunity to do some quality assurance work and fell in love with it. That’s when I realized it’s what I was meant to do in life.

8x8: What have been some of the most important lessons you’ve learned throughout your career?

AZ: Always be curious, never be afraid to ask, and value a good team.

8x8: And what encouraged you to return to 8x8?

AZ: When I left I was told the 8x8 door would always be open for me. Then, during my time away, I realized that I very much missed the people here and the team spirit we have on the Carbon team. I also missed the constant challenges, which are the best way for me to learn and grow.

8x8: What about working here? What did you miss most about 8x8?

AZ: The same thing that encouraged me to come back! It’s the people and the team we have here that I missed the most. Everyone is always happy to offer their help and support your development.

8x8: What about outside of work, how do you like to spend your free time?

AZ: Besides spending time with my daughter and husband, I always take time for myself to do some of my favorite things—like starting my days with a visit to the gym, gardening at our little house in the countryside from spring to autumn, or knitting my next year’s wardrobe in late autumn and through the winter.

8x8: Is there something that you’ve always wanted to learn or try outside of work?

AZ: Yes—ballet dance!

8x8: What’s something surprising that not many people know about you?

AZ: I am a professional-level knitter! It started out as a passion, something I did on the side, but these days I actually have a Facebook page.

8x8: Adriana, one final question: looking back, what is the most enjoyable or interesting thing that has happened to you this year?

AZ: Seeing the view from the top of the Rock of Gibraltar.

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Read more stories in the Welcome Back Team8s series: