Software testing gets a bad rap. But, people that don’t think a software testing career is rewarding, challenging, and fun surely aren’t software testers. In fact, most testers really love their jobs, and wouldn't give it up for any job in the world.
When considering which direction to take your career next, here are a few reasons you should think about pursuing a software testing career.
- It’s challenging - Testing is not easy -- there are constantly puzzles and problems to solve. The job will likely bring something new every day. If you prefer a boring job where you don’t have to think too much then don’t pursue a software testing career. But if you want a job that keeps you on your toes, anyone will tell you that testing is a really great choice.
- It’s important - Testers don’t always get enough recognition for the work they do, but we’d be lost without them. As a tester, you’re advocating the end user and making sure that they’re being delivered a quality product. Without someone to find bugs before software is delivered, many businesses would be suffering from poor reputations and unloyal customer bases.
- It’s creative - You have to get a little innovative when testing. The process isn’t going to be spelled out for you -- in fact, it takes a little detective work. By acting as the end-user, you’re the one who has to get creative when thinking of places there may be inconsistencies.
- It’s data-driven - One of the coolest things about a software testing career is that it’s just as technical as it is creative. While most testers need to have a foundation of developing and coding as a baseline, they’re also analyzing day-to-day data and product trends. Having a knowledge of computer sciences is imperative, as you have to be someone that knows the ins and outs of software and the way it works.
- You’re constantly learning - Whether you’re starting to code, automate, or security test, there’s always more to learn in a software testing career, and you likely have a very supportive team behind you to make sure you have all the resources you need to be the best. Plus, your work will never be stagnant, as you'll be continuously growing and improving your practice.
- You get to test the limit - You can’t go around smashing people’s laptops, but you do get to explore software to see where it stops working. Of course, testers don’t actually break software, but it can be really fun to find a bug no one thought existed in software everyone thought was working perfectly. It takes especially critical eyes to find these kinds of problems and solve them.
- It’s in demand - If you want a high growth, high paying career, QA is the way to go. As a software tester, you’ll always be needed and will find no lack of leading companies trying their hardest to recruit you, and there are constantly opportunities to grow in your career to reach a managerial level.
- There are many paths - Every company that uses software needs software testers, which is to say, pretty much everyone needs software testers. Testers are valuable in basically any industry, from healthcare to retail to video games. Additionally, you can choose whether you want to go into manual testing, automated testing, performance testing, etc.
- It’s a specialized skill - Despite misconception, not anyone can test. Most testers start in a similar field and find themselves being drawn to the role, but it requires in-depth knowledge of UI/UX design and development patterns and practices, as well as analytical and communication skills. Not everyone will find that they have what it takes to be a tester, but those who find it's their calling are sure to fall in love with it.
- It’s rewarding - You’re essentially helping your company build a better product. If you take pride in your work and these people you work for, then testing is an exceptional way to make a measurable difference in your organization's goals, objectives, and bottom lines. In fact, you'll probably see your impact every day on the job.
- You'll love your colleagues - As the software industry increasingly trends toward concepts like Agile development, Continuous Integration, DevOps, and automation, communication becomes a highly important skill for software testers. This means that throughout the day you'll always be collaborating with smart, interesting, and passionate people who share the same interests as you at every level in the organization.
- There’s a strong community - Additionally, one of the best things about being a tester is the insanely supportive and robust community. From StackOverflow to Twitter, testers are a tightly knit group who have each other’s backs and always enjoy discussing best practices and trending topics in the industry.
Why did you become a software tester? What's your favorite thing about your job? Share with us in the comments!