After loosing all my previous blogs on software testing, it kinda took me a while to think around this fact to come over this trauma and start to blog on my core competency again. Well, as i said in my previous blogs, time should move on and so should my blogging.
So i have decided to start up with the variation of both the absolute basics of software testing as well as the more complex topics. Well, to kick off, i wanted to first and foremost start with the absolute basics on answering a question, which many ask me most of times. “Whats the future of QA and Software Testing and does this field of expertise have a scope for a long term professional career” Well to start off, “Software” in its sense was introduced with the very sole objective to achieve productive business, and over the years, every single line of business is now done using software applications and systems. So literally there cannot be any software/hardware/process/business without a QA intervention, so the scope for a career in Software Testing has phenomenal growth.
So is Software QA Testing the right career path for you or not ??
Let me first explain in brief about software testing in lay man terms. Software testing and quality control are the processes by means of which application quality is improved. Software testing is done in each phase of product life cycle i.e from requirement specifications , design, coding, to the user acceptance.
Many complex software structures require in depth analytical and technical skill to test the applications. Knowledge of programming languages is required for unit testing, scripting skill essential for Automation testing.
Now we will speak about your career in software testing. No one can guide you choosing your career more than you! Its right and you are the only person to decide your career.
Do self-assessment to figure out where you can fit well. Do study of your skills, interests, strengths, weaknesses.
- Ask some questions to your self like:
- What is your goal in life?
- What will increase your satisfaction and skill?
- What is your interest?
- Which skills you have developed in your life till now?
- Which training you did that can be applied to future job?
By answering these questions you will automatically come to decision.
To switch to software testing career What skills you will require? Is the most important question I think.
In my previous post what makes a good test engineer, I mentioned some of the software testing required skills.
1. Communication: Customer communication as well as team communication most important for this job. Written communication as well!
2. Technical skill: As I mentioned earlier for testing technical domain skill in languages is important.
Some of the Testing skills are:
- Project life cycle,
- Testing concepts,
- Knowledge of testing types,
- Programming languages familiarity,
- Database concepts,
- Test plan idea,
- Ability to analyze requirements,
- Documentation skill,
- Testing tools
3. Leadership quality
4. Analytical and judging skill
Don’t worry if you don’t have some of the skills mentioned above. You can always learn the things if you have interest. Non-IT personas can also grow fast by gaining necessary skills.
All the best!!