Interest in Software Testing as a career pursuit has been growing among many individuals as they complete their studies in science and engineering fields.
During the period of my graduation, the IT industry was experiencing a resurgence in India. Notably, several of my fellow recent graduates were not even aware of the existence of career opportunities or jobs within the realm of software testing.
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I received a job offer from a startup as a tester and was offered a monthly salary of 7440 rupees. In contrast, fresh developer hires from more recognized institutions than mine were earning wages of 34,500 rupees monthly.
Presently, the pay scale disparity between testers and developers is not as drastic. While I believe today’s generation is luckier than mine in some aspects, it is important to acknowledge that my generation reaped certain benefits that the previous one didn’t enjoy.
At the onset of my career in Software Testing, I faced several challenges. There were no training centers available that offered coaching in Software Testing, nor did I have access to proper guidance. Even something as fundamental as Google’s search capabilities was not known to me then.
In the company where I used to work, a Senior Software Tester was present, not because of his technical proficiency or his title but simply because he joined the company six months before I did. He served as my mentor. I trusted him completely and never once questioned his testing methods.
This blind trust, however, soon started to make me feel naïve. In search of guidance, I reached out to two individuals within the same company, a Developer and a Software Architect. Their approach to testing was significantly more innovative than the senior tester’s, and they were more receptive to my queries. Questioning various aspects of what I had learned from the Senior Software Tester led me to the realization that the majority of his statements and methodologies were fundamentally flawed.
An important realization dawned upon me: I had a deep desire to excel in testing in the future. To attain this, I have to continuously learn and practice, over and over again.
But the question arises – What should I learn? What should I practice?
In search of more knowledge on software testing, I sought help from my friends. The materials they shared with me merely covered topics like the Different Types of Testing, various testing methods, documentation types, and the process of testing and development.
A thought-provoking question that changed the course of my life is – Is there more to Software Testing than what is generally perceived and can it be learned?
This question opened a floodgate to several more questions. If there is more to learn, where can I access it, who possesses this knowledge, and how do I acquire it?
My quest for knowledge led me to James Bach, a globally renowned professional tester with an impressive career trajectory. Despite dropping out from school in the eighth grade, Bach became the world’s youngest Test Manager at the age of 20, while working at Apple Computers.
He even contributed to Microsoft by helping with Test Specification specifics and served as an expert witness in court cases related to computer world investigations.
During his illustrious career, he has visited a multitude of nations where software testing takes place and has performed consulting assignments there. His vast knowledge and experience make him an icon in the field of Software Testing, and many testers feel inadequate in comparison. Did I mention that he also happens to be incredibly wealthy?
I thought to myself that James Bach probably knows some secrets about Software Testing unaware to many others in this field and I was eager to understand them. What fascinated me about James Bach was his belief in regarding skillful testing akin to a mental martial art.
It is crucial to mention here that James has no testing certification that you might be familiar with and he is convinced that such a certification does not add any value. Hence, it’s moot to consider certification when James Bach is in the picture, a distinguished guru in the field of Software Testing.
Before I could become his full-time student, I had to clear several mental martial arts tests. I won’t divert into the entire narrative but will mention that I eventually reached a point where he hired me to represent his company in India.
It is not my nature to engage in comparisons or be part of the rat race. However, some friends of mine couldn’t help but feel discontent as I advanced in my career. I earned the opportunity to travel around the globe and impart knowledge and training at international conferences. My opinions are often sought after as I’m sometimes inaccurately referred to as an expert tester in various countries. I also enjoy a considerable following for my blog.
I don a multitude of hats, working as an independent consultant on different projects daily for various clients worldwide. My work involves coaching, consulting, speaking, writing, thinking, testing, managing, and learning about Software Testing and problem-solving.
CNBC interviewed me as they considered me a problem-solving expert and I also contributed as an Expert problem solver in their column. I was tasked with testing a company’s service division after only three years of work experience as a Software Tester. So far, I have tested more than a hundred and twenty-three products.
A positive reputation can lead to wealth, but if your pursuits are solely reputation-orientated, you may not achieve it. The concept of reputation is a little intricate. Some people believe it’s about doing things others like, while I believe it’s about others liking what you do.
Don’t fret over the numerous “I”s present in this article, as it’s all about perspectives. If you have numerous testing-related achievements and accomplishments that make people seek your counselling, then you’ll probably accumulate more wealth as a tester than you could have ever envisioned.
I desire to see Indian testers surpass their previous earnings. This aspiration is what primarily motivated me to write this article for you.
To take the first step in this journey, follow this simple rule: Question everything – what you hear, see, feel, wish to see, hear, feel, don’t wish to hear, feel, and anything else you believe you may have missed.
How can this rule be applied? Here’s an example to help you get started: A widespread misconception that seems to have affected most testers in my experience in India is – “Testing is conducted to enhance Quality.”
- Who is the originator of the above statement?
- Why should I accept it at face value?
- Considering the notion that testing enhances quality, can any tester pinpoint the quantum of quality improvement they have achieved?
- If not, then isn’t there something inherently wrong with the core principle behind it?
- Improve which aspects of quality specifically?
- How is Quality defined?
- Who is responsible for defining Quality?
- Is it the tester’s responsibility to define Quality?
- If I go to a restaurant where the owner assures the food quality is excellent, but as a customer, I think otherwise, whose opinion holds more weight?
- How can the mere act of identifying bugs improve quality?
- So, if a tester identifies 5000 bugs and the developer decides to quit the same day, does that mean that quality has improved?
- If a tester finds 10000 bugs but fails to report them, does that signify an improvement in quality?
- In the above scenario, since the testing was indeed carried out, does it translate to enhanced quality?
- If I, as a tester, report 50 Bugs and the developer inadvertently introduces a hundred more bugs while attempting to fix them, can we still say that the quality has improved?
- Why don’t all testers comprehend that it’s fundamentally up to the developer to enhance quality?
- As a tester, shouldn’t my focus be on gathering information about quality and not necessarily on enhancing it?
- Wow! I’ve been misinformed all this while. So, what does testing actually entail then?
- Isn’t the above question valid and worth pondering over?
- Doesn’t this teach me that many people tend to misguide others, which could be an obstacle in becoming someone like James Bach?
- Do I wish to be deceived?
- Should I let people, bugs, documents deceive me?
About the Author: This Guest Article is by Pradeep Soundararajan. He’s a highly-regarded Consulting Tester for Satisfice Inc & a Software Testing Magician. You can connect with him by visiting his blog, Tester tested
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