Software tester career path
Software testing is an incredibly interesting yet highly complex and challenging field. It is one in which psychology plays a huge role*, and one which requires various technical and non-technical skills. Today we look at the software tester career path in more depth. Once considered to be one of the last options within the IT industry, digital transformation has changed all that. Nowadays, software testing is very much a respectable and desirable job.
*Read a related article from theICEway: The Relationship between psychology and testing.
What skills are required to become a software tester?
There are many skills that any budding software tester requires. As aforementioned, these can be broken down under 2 headings: Technical and non-technical.
Technical skills
- A basic knowledge of Database / SQL: Software testers must often validate data stored in different databases. To do this they can use SQL queries
- Linux commands: Many software applications are deployed on Linux machines, so a degree of basic knowledge here is crucial
- Test Management / Defect Tracking tools experience: Both test management techniques and defect tracking are vital elements within the software testing process
- Experience with Automation tools: Automation testing is growing in popularity in some quarters. It is important then to have a good level of knowledge here in addition to having strong manual testing experience
In addition to the above, knowledge of scripting languages such as JavaScript and C# can always help.
Non-technical skills
- Good analytical skills: When a tester must break up a complex software system, then a solid grasp of analysis can help
- Strong communication: The best software testers are those who can clearly get their messages across. Good writing skills are very important too, as test cases, plans, strategies and reports should be easy to read
- Well-organised: Testers must manage workloads efficiently and productively, so good organisational skills are crucial
- Possessing a good attitude: Software testers essentially ‘test to break’, which means that a positive mental attitude is essential. As technology evolves, testers must also evolve their skillset
Being passionate is another great non-technical skill to have, especially in the field of software testing.
Academic qualifications
Any aspiring software tester should be qualified in Computer Science. Any one of the following should lead to a testing job:
- BTech / B.E.
- MCA
- BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications)
- BSc Computers
If you do not have such a degree, then a software testing certification (i.e., ISTQB and CSTE) will help you learn required methodologies including software development and test life cycle.
A software tester career path can be tremendously fulfilling. It is hard work but extremely interesting. Don’t take this writer’s word for it though – here is an interesting article on eTestware’s Margery Peusa.