Those that see testing as a career typically advance in their jobs and have a higher level of self-esteem. Those that see testing as only as a job, often get bored and complain about the lack of opportunities. The “job only” perspective also indicates that someone is only in the testing role for a limited time. Therefore, there is little incentive to invest in personal improvement.
Of course, not everyone is cut out for software testing. The role can be frustrating at times, especially when the tester is blamed for the defects they report. I jokingly say that software testing conferences are like mass group therapy for software testers and test managers. It is interesting to see the realization of people when they see that they are not the only ones with unrealistic project managers, difficult end-users, technologies that are difficult to test, and oh, that automation stuff looks so easy but it can be so difficult to implement.
I know that I am around professional testers when vigorous (not vicious) debate breaks out over seemingly minor differences in test philosophies, approaches and techniques. It shows that people have thought a lot about the ideas they are defending or opposing.
If you see software testing as a profession instead of a job, then it’s up to you to grow. The greatest mistake you can make is to stop learning and growing. For those that see software testing and QA (yes, there is a difference) as a professional career choice, here are some ways to grow your career.
1. Set growth goals for the coming year. These don’t have to be huge goals, but without these goals it’s easy to lose focus. Goals also paint the target. You know when you have hit them. Here are some examples:
• Learn how to apply a test technique that is unfamiliar to you
• Develop a specialty area of security testing
• Learn how to use a particular test tool
• Read three books about testing or some related (or even unrelated) topic
• Obtain a certification in testing or a related field
• Speak at a conference
• Write an article
2. Read one or more books on software testing or related topics. It is amazing to me how few people read books that relate to the testing and software development professions. You have more choices than ever before with hundreds of testing books on the market. Perhaps the greater challenge is to find the books that are worthy of your time. By the way, some of the best books are also the oldest books that are available for $5 - $10 from online used booksellers such as www.abebooks.com. Two of my top recommendations are “The Art of Software Testing, 1st Ed.” By Glenford Myers and “Software Testing Techniques, 2nd Ed.” by Boris Beizer. These are foundational books in software testing, written over 30 years. However, don’t dismiss them due to age. These books are good for any tester to read. The Beizer book has a technical focus that would serve any tester well in today’s world of testing.
3. Take a training course that aligns with your goals. Even an online course is an easy reach in terms of time and cost. It is amazing what a little training can do. While good training typically will cost money, there are free and inexpensive online courses available. I have over twenty-three e-Learning courses at www.mysofwaretesting.com.
4. Create content. If you really want to learn and grow, then develop a small course, write a major article or start a blog. This not only stretches your abilities, but provides exposure as well. I never thought back in 1989 when I wrote my first testing course (unit testing) that one day I would be able to say I’ve personally written over 70 courses! I never thought I would write two books (and working on five others). And… I’m not saying that is where you will arrive. But the thing I can say is that I learn ten times more creating a class than attending a class. As the saying goes, “The best way to learn is to teach.”
5. Find a coach or mentor. Then, meet with them often enough to glean their wisdom. I know it’s hard sometimes to find the right person to mentor you, but they are out there. Look for people with lots of experience in what you want to do. Ask questions and listen. The trick on this one is that you must take the initiative to seek out the mentoring relationship.
6. Coach or mentor someone yourself. This is where you get to repay your coach or mentor. You learn by listening to the person you are mentoring. I have mentored many people and I learn by dealing with the tough questions they bring me. Admittedly, some people are difficult and are not worthy of your time. However, I have found it to be rare that a mentoring relationship has not been beneficial, both to me, and the person I am mentoring.
7. Test something totally different than you have ever tested before. Yes, this is on your own time and at your own effort, but you can learn a lot and come away with a new marketable skill. Interested in mobile testing? Find a mobile app you find interesting and challenging and test it. A way to make this profitable is to become a crowd tester. I can recommend www.mycrowd.com as a place to learn more about getting started as a crowdtester.
8. Read or watch something totally unrelated to software testing and find lessons in it for testing. Once you start looking for analogies of testing, they are everywhere. One of my favorite TV shows for testing lessons is Mythbusters, but I have also learned from Kitchen Nightmares, Hotel Impossible, Undercover Boss and many others. Novels such as Jurassic Park have some great testing lessons in them. Take notes, then write about what you learn.
9. Speak at a conference. The trends are in your favor. Smaller conferences are becoming more popular, as is finding speakers who are not well-known names in the field. Get a great topic, a case study and develop it into a conference presentation. No takers on your idea? Fine. Create a YouTube video and you will have more views in a few weeks than you would have at a physical conference! The skill you develop in speaking is that of oral communication - a skill that can really propel your success in any field.
10. Contribute to forum discussions. I’m not talking about short, one-sentence responses, but respectful, well-reasoned responses to people’s questions and/or opinions. LinkedIn groups are a great place to start. The growth comes in the articulation and sharing of your feedback and ideas. Especially on LinkedIn, group contributors gain a stronger profile and presence.
You will notice that most of the items I list are active in nature. You grow by doing.
Consider the idea that each of the above actions might have a 5% or more increase in your value to your team, your career or to your company. The combined effect of doing all of these would be phenomenal. The combined effect is not an addition function, but a multiplier function. Doing all ten items would not be a 50% value addition, but more like a 200% or more addition of value to your career and to your role in your company. I can attest to this in my own career.
This is important because in today’s marketplace, you are paid for the value you bring to a project. Low-value activities are often the first to go when companies decide to cut-back. The same holds true for people. The people that are more likely to be retained are those that add value to a project and to a company.
It’s better to build skills today for tomorrow than to realize one day you need skills that will take time to acquire and build.
