Career changer in software testing

The path to software testing does not always lead via a degree in computer science or a career as a developer - sometimes it starts at an embassy. A year of training, countless certificates and the bitter realization: you can’t find a job without practical experience. This experience report shows which skills from other industries really count in testing, why asking questions is more important than understanding everything, and how to become a successful tester despite technical gaps.

Podcast Episode: Career changer in software testing

In this episode, I talk to Isabelle Chariot about her exciting career change into software testing. Isabelle originally comes from an online communications background and worked in an embassy for many years. But at some point she decided to break new ground and found her place in software testing. We talk about how she became a tester and the challenges she faced along the way.

“Basically, you have to have a certain amount of courage to embrace change. […] So if you’re curious and have a bit of a desire to get to grips with this stuff, there’s no reason to be afraid.” - Isabelle Chariot

After more than a decade in online communication, Isabelle Chariot ventured into a new career in IT. At over 40 and as a mother of three, she completed a training course in software testing. Today, she works as a software tester at an insurance company in Vienna and her career shows that it is never too late to break new ground.

Highlights der Episode

Career changers need practice, not just certificates - you won’t find a job without a real project.
Software testing is solving puzzles: Unraveling knots from start to finish, not just clicking games.
Communication skills from previous jobs are worth their weight in gold - uncovering stupid questions that nobody has thought of.
Test automation is not an autopilot - you test with your head, the machine just executes.
Courage to change beats perfectionism - you don’t have to understand everything, just stay curious.

Career changer software testing

Introduction

Isabelle Chariot, a career changer, shares her experiences and insights as a software tester after making a career change into the IT industry. Her career offers exciting insights into how she got into software testing and the importance of career changes in IT.

This article highlights various aspects that reflect Isabelle Chariot’s journey in software testing:

The challenges of lateral entry
The prospects and development opportunities in the field of software testing

This article provides a comprehensive overview of Isabelle Chariot’s experiences.

Training as a software tester in detail

Isabelle Chariot’s software testing training included the “Job plus training” program of the Vienna Employee Assistance Fund (WAF). The training was divided into a theoretical part at the Vienna University of Applied Sciences and a practical phase at the company.

The WAF’s “Job plus Training ” program offered the opportunity to receive comprehensive training in software testing combined with practical application in a company.

The theoretical part took place at the Vienna University of Applied Sciences and provided basic knowledge about programming, the software development lifecycle and other relevant topics.

The practical phase allowed Isabelle to apply her acquired knowledge directly in the company. This section of the training was crucial for gaining practical experience and familiarizing herself with real test environments.

This structure provided Isabelle Chariot with the opportunity to develop both a theoretical foundation and practical skills in software testing.

Challenges of entering the IT world

The learning curve in the IT industry can present some challenges for career changers:

Difficulty learning technical basics without prior knowledge: Entering the IT world often requires an understanding of complex technical concepts and processes, which means a steep learning curve without prior experience.
Dealing with the complexity and dynamics of the IT industry: The rapid development and diversity of technologies in the IT industry require constant learning and adaptation, which can be particularly challenging for career changers.

These hurdles can be overcome through targeted training, internships and mentoring programs to ease the transition into the IT world. It is important to be aware of these challenges and actively work on solutions to successfully gain a foothold in the field of software testing.

Prospects and development opportunities in software testing

The field of software testing is diverse and varies greatly depending on the company. This opens up different career opportunities for a career changer in software testing, ranging from manual black-box testing to automated tests.

Different career opportunities in software testing

Here are some of the different career opportunities in software testing:

Manual testing: Focus on functional testing, acceptance testing or reviews, often entry level.
Test automation: Use of tools to increase efficiency, requires programming skills.
Quality management: Development of test strategies, monitoring of software quality.
Specializations: Testing of backend systems, infrastructure testing or DevOps related roles.

Isabelle describes her start as a junior in backend testing in the insurance industry. She still sees a lot of development potential in the direction of technical specialization and test-automated processes. The variety of opportunities makes testing particularly attractive for career changers.

Importance of practical experience and networking for career changers

Practical experience in IT career entry plays a decisive role in success as a software tester. There are important aspects to consider here:

1. Importance of internships and trainee positions

Internships or traineeships are essential for gaining practical skills. They offer the opportunity to apply and deepen theoretical knowledge in the real world of work.

2. Better chances on the job market

Employers value candidates with proven practical experience. Internships allow career changers to demonstrate their skills and stand out from other applicants.

3. Recommendation of active networking

In addition to certificates, active networking with professionals is also very important. Networking provides accessibility to new career opportunities, information and support from experienced professionals in the industry.

Conclusion and inspiration for prospective career changers in software testing

It is important to be brave and decide to enter software testing despite possible obstacles

There are numerous development and career opportunities in software testing that allow career changers to develop and succeed in their careers