This is a guest post from author Gunasekaran Veerapillai, Bangalore
Over the last one decade the profile of software tester has undergone tremendous changes. Testing has become show-stopper for several application/product implementations and business has realized the importance of structured testing of applications before release. Testing has created several levels and types and specialization in these various types of testing has increased the intrinsic value of a software tester. From being a monotonous test case executor, several career options have evolved in front of the testing community. The following diagram depicts the various options available to a software tester.
Career options for software test professionals:
Of late, testing is looked after as a good professional career for many of the aspiring youths. As mentioned above, from being test engineer one can move to senior test engineer, test lead to test manager; else can become QA lead, QA Manager. The options available in the testing tools side are enormous. There are numbers of functional, performance, security testing tools besides test management tools like Quality Center from HP, CQTM from IBM etc.,
The demand for niche skills like SOA testers, Security testers are on the increase. There is dearth of skills in test automation areas - scripting skills in the tools languages like VB, Java and other scripting languages like Perl, Shell, Python etc., Technical resources with capabilities to evaluate automation tools, create automation framework and reusable components are on demand. Always there is demand for good performance testers who can analyze the performance test results, identify the bottlenecks and suggest tuning techniques.
Specialization has come to stay in testing career - following are some of the key areas where one need to specialize to move ahead in career path in testing apart from good knowledge in software lifecycle testing process.
1) Domain Knowledge - Good knowledge in domain area of the application adds value to the testing professionals. There are ever living domains like BFSI, Telecom, Health care, manufacturing, embedded etc. Numbers of certifications are available for each of these areas where the tester can get them certified.
2) Automation Testing Tools Knowledge - There is great demand for automation and performance testers. A good skill on scripting languages of these tools is basic necessity for succeeding in test automation. Knowledge on creation, validation and enhancement of test automation framework is very much required.
3) Certifications - QAI, ASQ, ISQTB and several other institutes are offering testing specific certifications. These certifications improve the confidence of the clients on the testing professionals. CQTM, PMP are some managerial certifications, which help the testers to scale up in the professional ladder. Certifications on the testing tools offered by vendors like HP increases the technical competency of the individual.
4) Niche areas in Testing - Experts predict that the niche areas like SOA testing, Security testing are gaining momentum in the testing space. Many tools are emerging in these areas. As testing professionals we should be aware of where the industry is heading and update our knowledge in those areas.
Knowledge updation is a continuous process. Several website like stickyminds, QAForums offer excellent insight into various facets of the testing arena. I always request my team members to spend at least two hours in a week in these selected websites to update themselves to the current happenings and events.
As the saying goes “you need to run continuously to keep yourself in the same place”, as testing professionals we should always work towards sharpening our testing skills to succeed in this competitive environment.
What is your career path?
47 comments ↓
Nice article to know the future of s/w tester…..
In the testing profession position is the main concern this article is really worthful which is providing different paths of testing career.
Thanks Gunasekaran Veerapillai for providing such good information.
This is a superb topic, it really helped me a lot.I need to know more websites where i can develop my skills.Thanks a lot
Hi I like this Article ..Really it is useful for the testers…………Thanks for posting such an Article……
Hi, This is really good topic coverd testing future and various options,that one can go towards them.
Hi,
This is a nice article which help in growing our career path as a Software Tester.
Enjoy Testing,
It really helped me a lot.I need to know more websites where i can develop my skills.Thanks a lot
Hi, This article has given a right path for my testing career. Can you please provide some of the best open source defect tracking tools for a web application. Am working for a developing company. Right we are just tracking in the Excel sheet.
Hi,
This is a great direction for software testers.
I want to know what is the average experience required to get these positions.
I mean if I am a Test engineer then how many years will it take to become Sr. test engg->test lead->test manager…
I know there are many factors on which this promotion depends, but want to get some idea in average years..
kavitha -
Please refer the following link for the various open source defect management tools - http://www.testingfaqs.org/t-track.html
Shrinivas
Two to three years as Test engineer - 3 -4 years as STE and 5 years and above as Test Lead and after 7-8 years as Test manager would be ideal. But all of us does not get that opportunity. we can always work towards that by improving our skills and showing out-of-box thinking in testing.
Hi,
I would say that in order to progress in one’s career path, one should explore the diversification option too. The responsibilities of testing professionals will increase on a continuous basis. Different skills may be (and usually are) required in new projects. A well-balanced and increasing skill set (testing skills (documentation/ execution/ reporting/ communication), knowledge of the current tools and techniques, domain knowledge in multiple domains, soft skills etc.) should definitely enable one’s faster progress up the career path.
Hey good one!!!
It is useful article to plan your career in testing/QA/SCM
Yeh its very good article,
Actually i have a great confusion whether going to development side r be in testing side itself.
Some of my friends saying jump to development side and some of my friends saying be in testing itself… so tel some suggesstions, i am a test engineer
the above article is good and useful for the Testing Professional.
Good article for those interested in s/w testing
Hi,
I am Madhavi. Currently working as a software Engineer(Developer).I want to change to Testing(QA) domain.Please can anybody guide me . How can I shift to Testing domain. What kind of questions will be asked in interview.
The last wordings u have written here are very true!!! Thanks a lott!!!
Hello Madhavi, I am Mallikarjun working as a s/w engg on testing.if u change ur carrier to testing side u ll get gud future, bcoz u hv developing knowledge.
u ll take coaching on testing.u go and join in MindQ institute which is SR Nagar, Ameer pet.
All doubts ll be clarrified there. carry on
All the best
Hey guys can u pls tell me wat r the problems or issues of using JIRA bugtracking system?
Brilliant article!!! there is another path called Technical Writer, the one who write specification and user guide, all kinds of doc for product. can it be right?
I have a question..Please answer it my dear frnz!!!
What is the job/role of a Technical Writer in real-time scenario? Is that a good job for the people who want to shift their career from Test Engineer position to Technical Writer?
This information provides me more helpful, keep posting this kind of artical
Hi…..
Hi Sirisha,
A Technical writer designs, creates, maintains, and updates technical documentation—including online help, user guides, white papers, design specifications, SRS and other documents by interacting with customers, developers, and support.
Technical writing has very good scope in India because there are plenty of software companies and the clients are mostly from US and Europe and the prefer india ( for technical writing) because technical writing is done in a very systematic way, were standards, conventions, style guides, processes etc are followed. It also goes through various stages were a draft is prepared and approved, and a QA review, technical review, editing, signing off etc are done.
Hope its clears your doubts.
Regards,
Tiger2K
.
clears the path of testers.
keep going…good luck
cheers
Nice article….
Hi Vijay,
Please give the detail answer for the below question.
What is Localization(L10N), and Internationalization(I18N)?
I’m an MCa graduate passed out in 2002. i’ve done a course in software testing and looking for a job in the same. i dont have any real time experience so far. whats the probability of getting a job now . please let me the various ways in which i can land into a job
Hi Gunasekeran veerapalli,
Nice article, it would be nice to post articles at least monthly once.
what u mean by test matrix
It’s really useful, thanks a lot!!
i had completed my MBA with system specialization in the year 2004 .Now i want to join in software testing . is this qualification is sufficient to enter that professionals and in future career growth .please help me to resolve the situation .
Nice post
www.funandknowledge.blogspot.com
Really nice article. Please elaborate more on performance testing and how to begin carrer in PT, Courses to be done for knowledge gathering
hello ,
i am wanted to know wheather it is possible to enter into software testing job with MBA ( System ) pass out in the year 2004. if yes then what is thge procedure for it .
bye sundar
hi ,
It’s really useful thanks a lot
cheers
This information provides me more help, keep posting this kind of articals.
Hi,
It’s a very nice article , I came to know so much about scope in testing field. Can you please provide me some scenario based examples for writing test cases.
Hi,
Thanks for the excellent article.
I wanted some advise from you on my career.
I am an expert in Japanese language and have good knowledge of C, C++, and Dot Net.
Currently I am thinking of doing a course in software testing.
What are the career prospects with my qualification?
Please could you also suggest some practice resources for the same.
Thanks in advance,
Joy
Hi..
I am working as a software test engineer. I would like to do certfications in Testing. I don’t know whether i should do the certification in Software Testing or in Quality Analyst.. Can you please tell me on what basis QA is different from Software Testing and which one has more advantage from the future perspective..
Thanks ,
..Jeevitha.
This is a good information for testers. I have worked as testers for 4 years and at present i am a test lead. but seems so difficult to exptend my carrier to test manager. i also like test consultant, but i did not find that position in real life
Nice article.
Hi vijay,
I hav around 3 yrs exp in manual teseting… i would like to know about SOA testing… and also wil i be eligible for SOA testing?
Hi vijay,
could you tellme what is the STLC Cycle. and What are the stage of STLC.
Thanks in advance.
Hi
STLC -
Test design and analysis
Test execution and control.
Test closure
In each and every phase we have several tasks to be done.
For more details u can get them from ISTQB meterials in yahoo group
Thanks kapil for enlighting me on this topic.
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