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North Charleston, South Carolina May 3, 2025  – The increasing importance of AI, cloud systems, and digital platforms in everyday life means the tech industry must address fairness, accessibility, and user trust. According to Alexander Habighorst, a quality assurance expert with a background in political science and the liberal arts, solutions might be found in the humanities.

“Political theory taught me how to think structurally, ethically, and systemically,” Habighorst says. “These are the exact skills I use daily when testing software.”

Alexander Habighorst’s degrees in political science and liberal arts, combined with his research in political philosophy, provide a unique perspective to his software quality assurance work. He manages test plans and timelines while advocating for user-centered design and strong accessibility standards. Habighorst believes the critical thinking skills honed in philosophical debates now inform decisions about digital product behavior.

“Quality assurance isn’t just about ensuring software functions correctly; it’s about ensuring it functions correctly for everyone,” Habighorst explains. “Code can run perfectly and still fail the most vulnerable users. That’s where ethics become crucial.”

Liberal Arts Thinking, Technical Execution

Alexander Habighorst believes that core liberal arts skills such as reasoning, communication, and attention to detail are directly applicable to software testing. The ability to envision different user interactions with technology is essential, whether anticipating edge cases or exploring unintended consequences.

“In political theory, you constantly evaluate systems, power dynamics, gaps, and who is excluded,” Habighorst says. “This mindset translates well to QA. You learn to view a product from the perspectives of marginalized or underserved users, not just developers.”

This broader perspective makes Habighorst a strong advocate for digital accessibility. He sees compliance with accessibility standards as a social responsibility, not just a formality.

“There’s no such thing as a neutral interface,” Habighorst adds. “Every design decision reflects assumptions about the user. My role in QA is to challenge these assumptions and ensure the product reflects a broader range of human experiences.”

Systems Thinking Meets Human Impact

Alexander Habighorst contends that political science offers unique preparation for working with complex digital systems. Just as political theorists analyze how institutions and ideologies influence behavior, QA professionals must assess the interactions and potential failures of a digital product’s components.

“When I run tests, I’m not just considering isolated functionality,” Habighorst explains. “I’m considering how this feature interacts with others, its behavior under stress, and its potential to confuse or mislead. This systems thinking comes directly from my academic training.”

Beyond Bugs: QA as Ethical Infrastructure

A key idea of Habighorst’s is that quality assurance should expand beyond technical validation to become a site of ethical inquiry. He views QA professionals as the last line of defense before users interact with a product, giving them a unique chance to protect equity, privacy, and transparency.

“Technology shapes how people work, learn, and live. If we don’t examine the values embedded in our digital tools, we risk perpetuating social injustices,” Habighorst warns. “That’s why I approach QA with the same rigor I once applied to political texts.”

Alexander Habighorst envisions an interdisciplinary future for QA, where humanities insights are integrated into agile processes, design reviews, and user testing. He believes tech teams need professionals who can think historically, ethically, and critically about their products, focusing not just on functionality but also on serving the public good.

A Call for Broader Perspectives in Tech

Alexander Habighorst offers encouragement to recent liberal arts graduates considering careers outside academia, emphasizing that the tech world needs them.

“Don’t underestimate your education,” Habighorst advises. “The ability to think clearly, write persuasively, and evaluate systems is rare and highly valued in tech, especially in QA, where asking the right questions is crucial for a product’s success.”

Looking ahead, Alexander Habighorst plans to continue bridging disciplines. His approach, whether analyzing backend logic or promoting inclusive design, centers on ensuring technology works for everyone, not just the majority.

“The best technology is not only efficient but also ethical,” Habighorst concludes. “And ethics begin with asking better questions. That’s what political theory taught me, and that’s what quality assurance allows me to do.”

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