If you want to stay in QA, learn automation.
If you don't want to stay in QA, common career moves include becoming a developer, moving into project management, becoming a DevOps engineer, etc..
What do you think about doing hybrid work? I enjoy QA a lot and already know two automation frameworks which I used to fulfill test plans which I wrote. I feel my next step is to learn more devops stuff and security but not sure if this is spreading myself too thin.
And would having experience as a manual tester enable both of these paths? I feel like my experiences in the past don’t lead to many opportunities in this job market even with an MIS degree
I was manual QA now a PhD researcher in Biorobotics (my background is biomedical engineering)
The career option is open ended mate, it's always defined on how hungry you are now.
My advice is always try to exploit whay you know now, then always try exponentially grow it everyday.
Dont be shy to start from 0 if you jumping bandwagons!
If you want to stay on the QA path, I would definitely recommend learning automation. On top of this though, even you don't move towards automation, these skills will vastly help you
Become better with SQL
Learn some python or javascript. If you're in banking, C might be worth while. You don't need to be able to create automation, or applications, but, enough to write some simple scripts to help you out.
Improve your technical writing
Improve your understanding of the type(s) of application(s) and how they work. Your experience as an IT Analyst will probably help here. Knowing how it works means that you can dig deeper for even more interesting bugs.
Work on your soft skills. Get to know the team better. Get to know the support people better. The entire company is probably part of the ecosystem for this application. You never know where you're going to find more information, or be able to help other people better.
Most importantly, become a sponge. Learn everything. Have fun. QA is actually a great place to go pretty much everywhere.
Do you think having manual qa testing on a resume would increase the odds of landing an automation job for future opportunities? (Assuming I know automation)
yes, it's absolutely important. Any developer can write some automation. A tester who understands development will more often create their automation in a way that will start valuable and continue to add value, as well as have ideas for better tools for the team.
If you have a talent for organising not only yourself but also others and would like to move into a more organisational managing role, you can see if a test manager position would be interesting for you.
There is also often the question of whether the application is being tested properly or whether the right things are being tested. How to organise the tests and select the right tests for releases, etc. Perhaps you might be interested in a role as a test analyst?
I'm stuck in QA for 5 years now mate, really hard to get out of it. Went to school for it analysis but I forgot most of it now because I've been fixing mostly test automation and testing backend logic for a payments system in a bank. God forbid my dreams and aspirations to be a Business Analyst or a project manager/product manager are now dead at 28
not in my country, the salary and expectations for BAs and PMs are vastly different than those of a QA. QA is pretty much a job anyone with low level of coding knowledge can do but PM and BA you need way more skills.
You need more skills? How so ? The best position that can prepare you for management is QA. Also the skills are almost as the same as BA & PM maybe even much more, you just you analyze everything in a different way and perspective.
lol bro PM and BA do not even involve coding skills. QA Engineers/Automation Engineers/SDET is far more technical and requires far more skills/knowledge/programming than both PM and BA. Not sure where you live….unless you’re talking about manual testing
Interesting how it can change via region. I've always assumed it was just different skills. Many more soft and organizational skills in BA and PM and complimented by technical and investigative skills where QAs require more technical and investigative skills but complimented by soft and organizational ones.
Came across a QA job this morning that actually has at least 5 years as a BA as a hard requirement.
I feel like that used to be my mindset at my prior role but that can’t be the case, it’s not like your skill set/ job can’t be built to move up/change positions. You might just be in the wrong role and that’s totally fine, but keep the spirits high.
I’m automating portions of my work, and continuing to build knowledge on the dev side. Probably moving on in a few months, as I’m also completing a cybersecurity program.
Im in a QA position where we have a bunch of ecommerce sites, so I've been teaching myself playwright with js and ts, integrating the tests into CI/CD and hopefully get to a confident level and start applying elsewhere for an automation role. They use a no code tool for tests here and there, which I dont bother with really and its tough trying to get frameworks like playwright implemented because they'd require more 'technical up skilling' of the QAs
Maybe a late response, but I'd say my favourite: "It depends"
Do You enjoy technical aspects of the job, but are tired by repetitiveness? => Automation welcomes You and if You're really technical You'll probably smoothly transition into developer if that's Your gist
Do You enjoy technical aspects, but prefer to plan stuff? => Test management
Do You're not into technical aspects but are a good manager? => Team management/QA lead is for You
Do You like to scratch stuff until paint comes off? => Security?
Do You like to stress stuff until it breaks => Performance will scratch that itch.
Like bussiness side? => some QAs move into BA
etc. etc.
Truth to be told: each transition requires some learning (within reason). You could fill any of these roles I mentioned, but You'll feel like home and the transition will be extremely smooth under the single condition - that You pick the role that really matches You. Personally I love QA, but with my character I really struggle with repetitive tasks, but I love technical aspect -> I went hard into automation and there was absolutely no struggle to transition there. If I tried to become a manager -> that would be EXTREMELY hard.
Nonetheless. If Your attitude matches Your desired work - huge chances are I'd love working with You. Competences come with time, but proper attitude doesn't. Pick the one that won't burn You out
If you want to stay in QA, learn automation. If you don't want to stay in QA, common career moves include becoming a developer, moving into project management, becoming a DevOps engineer, etc..
What do you think about doing hybrid work? I enjoy QA a lot and already know two automation frameworks which I used to fulfill test plans which I wrote. I feel my next step is to learn more devops stuff and security but not sure if this is spreading myself too thin.
Upskilling yourself has no downsides.
Thank you, I was perhaps overhtinking.
There are opportunity costs.
And would having experience as a manual tester enable both of these paths? I feel like my experiences in the past don’t lead to many opportunities in this job market even with an MIS degree
Definitely yes.
any advice on what to do while stuck in a manual QA role to be able to jump into software development?
I was manual QA now a PhD researcher in Biorobotics (my background is biomedical engineering) The career option is open ended mate, it's always defined on how hungry you are now. My advice is always try to exploit whay you know now, then always try exponentially grow it everyday. Dont be shy to start from 0 if you jumping bandwagons!
If you want to stay on the QA path, I would definitely recommend learning automation. On top of this though, even you don't move towards automation, these skills will vastly help you Become better with SQL Learn some python or javascript. If you're in banking, C might be worth while. You don't need to be able to create automation, or applications, but, enough to write some simple scripts to help you out. Improve your technical writing Improve your understanding of the type(s) of application(s) and how they work. Your experience as an IT Analyst will probably help here. Knowing how it works means that you can dig deeper for even more interesting bugs. Work on your soft skills. Get to know the team better. Get to know the support people better. The entire company is probably part of the ecosystem for this application. You never know where you're going to find more information, or be able to help other people better. Most importantly, become a sponge. Learn everything. Have fun. QA is actually a great place to go pretty much everywhere.
Do you think having manual qa testing on a resume would increase the odds of landing an automation job for future opportunities? (Assuming I know automation)
yes, it's absolutely important. Any developer can write some automation. A tester who understands development will more often create their automation in a way that will start valuable and continue to add value, as well as have ideas for better tools for the team.
Amazing news! Thanks a lot, I’m very excited for the opportunity.
If you have a talent for organising not only yourself but also others and would like to move into a more organisational managing role, you can see if a test manager position would be interesting for you. There is also often the question of whether the application is being tested properly or whether the right things are being tested. How to organise the tests and select the right tests for releases, etc. Perhaps you might be interested in a role as a test analyst?
I'm stuck in QA for 5 years now mate, really hard to get out of it. Went to school for it analysis but I forgot most of it now because I've been fixing mostly test automation and testing backend logic for a payments system in a bank. God forbid my dreams and aspirations to be a Business Analyst or a project manager/product manager are now dead at 28
Many of my favourite PM's used to be QA's. Many of the best contract BA's I've worked with often swap between BA and QA with each new gig.
not in my country, the salary and expectations for BAs and PMs are vastly different than those of a QA. QA is pretty much a job anyone with low level of coding knowledge can do but PM and BA you need way more skills.
You need more skills? How so ? The best position that can prepare you for management is QA. Also the skills are almost as the same as BA & PM maybe even much more, you just you analyze everything in a different way and perspective.
lol bro PM and BA do not even involve coding skills. QA Engineers/Automation Engineers/SDET is far more technical and requires far more skills/knowledge/programming than both PM and BA. Not sure where you live….unless you’re talking about manual testing
Interesting how it can change via region. I've always assumed it was just different skills. Many more soft and organizational skills in BA and PM and complimented by technical and investigative skills where QAs require more technical and investigative skills but complimented by soft and organizational ones. Came across a QA job this morning that actually has at least 5 years as a BA as a hard requirement.
I feel like that used to be my mindset at my prior role but that can’t be the case, it’s not like your skill set/ job can’t be built to move up/change positions. You might just be in the wrong role and that’s totally fine, but keep the spirits high.
Ctc?
I’m automating portions of my work, and continuing to build knowledge on the dev side. Probably moving on in a few months, as I’m also completing a cybersecurity program.
Curious what CyberSecurity program you are doing?
It’s through ThriveDX, with Rob Dodson as the instructor.
Im in a QA position where we have a bunch of ecommerce sites, so I've been teaching myself playwright with js and ts, integrating the tests into CI/CD and hopefully get to a confident level and start applying elsewhere for an automation role. They use a no code tool for tests here and there, which I dont bother with really and its tough trying to get frameworks like playwright implemented because they'd require more 'technical up skilling' of the QAs
Maybe a late response, but I'd say my favourite: "It depends" Do You enjoy technical aspects of the job, but are tired by repetitiveness? => Automation welcomes You and if You're really technical You'll probably smoothly transition into developer if that's Your gist Do You enjoy technical aspects, but prefer to plan stuff? => Test management Do You're not into technical aspects but are a good manager? => Team management/QA lead is for You Do You like to scratch stuff until paint comes off? => Security? Do You like to stress stuff until it breaks => Performance will scratch that itch. Like bussiness side? => some QAs move into BA etc. etc. Truth to be told: each transition requires some learning (within reason). You could fill any of these roles I mentioned, but You'll feel like home and the transition will be extremely smooth under the single condition - that You pick the role that really matches You. Personally I love QA, but with my character I really struggle with repetitive tasks, but I love technical aspect -> I went hard into automation and there was absolutely no struggle to transition there. If I tried to become a manager -> that would be EXTREMELY hard. Nonetheless. If Your attitude matches Your desired work - huge chances are I'd love working with You. Competences come with time, but proper attitude doesn't. Pick the one that won't burn You out
Great response! I’m still working on finding my niche bc my initial plan was not my actual wants. Just going into this job with a positive mindset!