About Avery Herrera

A QA Tester with years of experience in every facet of the game publishing process - specializing in team coordination, knowledge base maintenance, and strategy development. Strengths apparent in creative problem solving approaches, constant workplace improvement, and a career focus on game design.

For a quick summary, download my current one-page resume or my full chronological Curriculum Vitae here

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Check out my full, diverse range of experiences below, sorted by work, skills, or education, then by industry, then by year.

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Nintendo of America, Redmond - Tester 2

APR 2024 - Current

Aston Carter, Redmond — Associate Tester
AUG 2021 -APR 2024
Full time contract lotcheck testing for a major Japanese game publishing company. Worked with third party software, including AAA, GAAS, and independent titles in rapid test cases for quality assurance. Used proprietary bug reporting in single to dozen person, mixed in-office and remote work teams across three international offices.

Lionbridge Technologies, Redmond — Test Associate 2
APR 2020 - JUL 2021
Contract test work in the video game market. Worked full time with proprietary bug reporting systems and testing tools in a work from home environment. Worked in small agile teams in goal-oriented passes with two successful console ships.

Bungie Games, Bellevue — Beta Tester

AUG 2020

Joined in a paid daylong test of specific features before a new update at Bungie.

Nintendo of America — Certification Tester III

APRIL 2024 - Current Responsibilities - Testing sensitive third-party applications for safety and quality standard compliance. - Communicating vital error information to third-party developer coordination groups for efficient turnaround and effective product releases across global gaming markets. - Operating in two to two dozen person teams across multiple international offices to verify viability in each product across many potential user conditions. - Supporting fellow testers through a wide knowledge base, quality communication, and the flexibility to fill in responsibilities at positions below and above the job title. Achievements - Maintains an internal database that has condensed the varied experiences and knowledge bases across associated and international departments in order to increase efficiency in training and testing. - Develops and contributes to multiple initiatives throughout the company, both operational and recreational, to help improve the quality of life of fellow employees. - Gains constant self-motivated training through online learning, industry literature, and interdepartmental outreach when the opportunity is available.

Aerotek/Teksystems/Aston Carter — Test Associate

AUGUST 2021 - APRIL 2024 - Full-time contract tester in partnership with a major international entertainment company. - Operated in small teams to provide feedback to developers in a timely manner. - Maintained an internal database that condensed the varied experiences and knowledge bases across the department in order to increase efficiency in training and testing. - Developed and contributed to multiple initiatives throughout the company to help improve the quality of life of fellow employees.

Lionbridge Technologies - Test Associate II

APRIL 2020 - JULY 2021 - Worked full-time with proprietary bug reporting systems and testing tools in a work-from-home environment to assure compatibility with an extensive software library. - Successfully shipped two consoles by collaborating in small, agile teams in goal-oriented passes by creating and fulfilling specialized test cases.

Cinebarre, Mountlake Terrace — Bartender
SEPT 2019 - JAN 2020
Bartender and Service Bar Bartender at full service kitchen, bar, and movie theater.

Starbucks, Lynnwood — Partner
MAY 2019 - SEPT 2019
Barista at busy local Starbucks, responsible for managing food, drink, and to-go while keeping a strong customer connection.

George’s, Kirkland — Bartender
MAY 2019 - SEPT 2019
Bartender and server for evening shifts at local family greek fusion diner.

Cinemark Reserve, Bellevue — Bartender
SEPT 2018 - APR 2019
Bartender and Service Bar Bartender at full service kitchen, bar, and movie theater.

Nisqually Red Wind Casino, Olympia — Bar Staff
OCT 2017 - SEPT 2018
Barback, Bartender, and Cocktail Server in four high volume full service casino bars.

Expresspros, Olympia — Temp
SEPT 2017 - OCT 2017
Temporary worker currently working in food service for a casino deli dealing in expediting and serving meals as well as maintaining a clean lobby experience, later moved to full staff at Nisqually Red Wind Casino through temp agency.

Comic Stop Comic Store, Redmond — Employee
FEB 2017 - AUG 2017
Cashier, comic advisor, and keyholder in locally owned retail comic book store. Often worked opening to close while helping customers find comics, toys, books, and collectibles in their interest.

Marinopolis Sushiland, Redmond — Server
JUN 2015 - OCT 2015
Served prepared foods and drinks to customers of sushi belt style restaurant, as well as worked register and substitute sushi-chef.

Forever Knight Games, Olympia — Retail Game Intern
MAY 2014 - DEC 2014
Developed customer service experience as well as gained experience in the distribution side of the paper game industry. Achieved “Most Sales Intern” award in October.

ProjectFUN, Redmond — Teacher/Teacher’s Assistant

JUN 2015 - JUN 2017

Taught and assisted in teaching for middle to high school students in summer and homeschool education program for DigiPen, Institute of Technology’s K-12 program. Included curriculum development, basic programming, assistance in individual projects, and many administrative tasks.

YMCA, Olympia — Group Leader
MAY 2014 - SEPT 2015
Created a safe and appealing environment for study and play before and after school at a large elementary school serving the upper east side.

The Sounds Newspaper, Olympia — Multimedia Manager
SEPT 2014 - JUNE 2015
Developed visual and audio media for community college newspaper website, with side responsibilities such as video interviews and writing weekly articles, including a front page feature.

5+ Years Testing Experience
Bug Tracking / Logging
Case Creation
NDA Compliance
Hardware Security
Publisher/Developer Relations
Currently pursuing ISTQB certification
Experience in:
- Lotcheck / Certifications
- Product QA
- Post-Launch Debug
- Hardware Testing
Console Launches
- Xbox Series X and S
- Nintendo Switch 2

South Puget Sound CC - A.A. - 2014

Attended during Junior and Senior year of high school and graduated Running Start Degree Completion Program. Focused on gaining a wide skillset through pursing a wide range of classes while satisfying both highscool and college degree requirements. Also gained skills in leadership and community organization as treasurer and later president of the college's first socially focused, daily meeting club, N.E.R.D. Club.

DigiPen, Institute of Technology - 2015 to 2017

Attended for a year seeking a BA in Game Design with a focus on UX, traditional games, and game production. Changed degrees to BA in Music and Sound Design with a focus on composition and saxophone for a further year. Worked in the K-12 Program "Project FUN" during this time and several months after leaving the school. Left in good standing due to financial difficulties, but continues to pursue skills and knowledge in the same field to this day.

Arizona State University - BA in English - 2024

Attended entirely online while working full time. Degree focus on linguistic anthropology, Spanish, philosophy, and especially writing - with emphasis on environmental writing, persuasive writing, academic research, mass audience scholarly productions, short story, and YA literature. Awarded Dean's List.