Monday
Its my first day at work and I am all geared up for the project. I meet the team they seem okay (well don't they always!). I haven't got access to the system (not surprised it sometimes takes 6 weeks !). The Team leader sorts out my pass so I can now get into the building and on to the ladies without borrowing a pass. I am given literally hundreds of pages to study consisting of Functional Specification, Design Document and Component Design document. I try to get my head around it without falling asleep (yes this is a real challenge on a new project the monotony of reading technical sometimes badly written stuff). I make note and go on to check my understanding with the Project Manager -I am on the right course phew - good to know.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Start Earning as a Software Tester
Lots of people are aware of how lucrative a career in Software Testing is but do not have any ideals on how to start. I would like to start by saying Software Testing on its own would not get you very far. It is preferable that Testing Skills are your secondary training and you have a primary training in some other discipline to which you would ideally specialise in testing ie Banking , Accounting, Database, Networking, Retail, Electronic Payment,etc
It is important to know the mindset of a Tester is to find bugs in the System or Application as the case may be. To this end an eye for details is required and a determination to apply various methodologies under not too stable environment.
Now we have established what testing is about the next question is how do I start?
1. Go on a basic software testing course with one of training providers which can be found on British Computer Society website http://www.bcs.org/server.php?show=conWebDoc.2064
This would give you hands on introduction to working as a tester
2.Having learnt the basic testing skils and methodology go on to take the ISEB foundation in Software Testing. This will ensure you are certified and there deemed as a professional Tester. It is common to see lots of people starting here and then going on to get contracts which they cant execute because they skipped step one and have an understanding of all the terms but have no practical experience.
3. Apply for testing role in your primary Industry ie if you where primarily trained as an Accountant apply for test roles on accounting applications you background in or primarily field would give you an edge.
4.After you have got your first role invest in books and time to study using online resources to consolidate your skills. At this point you would probably have an idea where you need more training or what area you would like to branch into.
5. Get specialised training for other kinds of testing like web testing, performance testing. and possibly and vendor product which is prevalent in your sector.
6. Keep abreast with new technology (now this is the challenge of all IT Practitioners) versions updates etc and watch the money roll in.
It is important to know the mindset of a Tester is to find bugs in the System or Application as the case may be. To this end an eye for details is required and a determination to apply various methodologies under not too stable environment.
Now we have established what testing is about the next question is how do I start?
1. Go on a basic software testing course with one of training providers which can be found on British Computer Society website http://www.bcs.org/server.php?show=conWebDoc.2064
This would give you hands on introduction to working as a tester
2.Having learnt the basic testing skils and methodology go on to take the ISEB foundation in Software Testing. This will ensure you are certified and there deemed as a professional Tester. It is common to see lots of people starting here and then going on to get contracts which they cant execute because they skipped step one and have an understanding of all the terms but have no practical experience.
3. Apply for testing role in your primary Industry ie if you where primarily trained as an Accountant apply for test roles on accounting applications you background in or primarily field would give you an edge.
4.After you have got your first role invest in books and time to study using online resources to consolidate your skills. At this point you would probably have an idea where you need more training or what area you would like to branch into.
5. Get specialised training for other kinds of testing like web testing, performance testing. and possibly and vendor product which is prevalent in your sector.
6. Keep abreast with new technology (now this is the challenge of all IT Practitioners) versions updates etc and watch the money roll in.
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