Should you consider a software testing career? Think for a moment about how digitised our lives have become, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. Technology has an impact on every part of our lives, including our food, clothing, entertainment, banking, healthcare, and government. All of this is provided to us through effective digital solutions, which are equally essential for production. Even most of our food production uses software, at the very least to optimize it, and is frequently entirely dependent on it.
Software quality assurance plays a vital role in our society, and a career in software testing is a great choice. Software testing ensures that a product developer’s dreams meet their customer’s expectations. A truly successful digital product is one that functions perfectly without effort. Just think how seamlessly we’re able to transact online these days. The slightest inconvenience like a slow website or unresponsive link is enough to make you browse away- a catastrophic response to the product developer!
Why software testing is important
Software testing is a vital part of software development that ensures the reliability, performance, and usability of software applications. As software systems become increasingly complex the need for efficient and effective testing has become paramount. The cost of software defects can be significant, leading to user dissatisfaction, financial losses, and damage to a company’s reputation. It often has a profound impact on people’s lives, such as during the IT system upgrade for the Child Support Agency of the UK in 2004. During this upgrade, tens of thousands of single parents faced chronic delays in receiving support payments. A lack of thorough software testing, among other things, resulted in around 3,000 IT incidents per week. Three years after the system went live, an investigation found that there were still 500 faults within the system. The cost of processing each support application rose by 20%, and the system ended up costing an estimated £768 million rather than the budgeted £450 million. Thorough software testing could have reduced the impact on parents and children and reduced the cost of the implementation.
5 Reasons to choose a career in software testing.
It is an interesting and challenging career
Software testing provides constant puzzles and problems to solve. If you enjoy solving challenges and finding out why things don’t work, this is a great career for you.
There is space for creativity and innovation
A good software tester is someone who can think beyond the obvious to apply their craft. There is space for creativity and innovation in testing.
Constant learning and development
Things are constantly changing in the software world, and testing needs to do the same to keep up. Not only does this keep things interesting but it provides a constant opportunity for learning and development.
There are multiple career paths to follow
There are multiple types of testing like manual, performance, and automation testing, and within each type, there are different career paths. As mentioned before, the testing landscape keeps changing, and with it, the opportunities for a new direction in your career.
Software testing makes a difference
Without testing, our world would be filled with buggy and unreliable software that lets us down at the worst moments. A career in this field means that your work makes a difference in the lives of many people, without them even noticing it. Many testers report that they get a lot of job satisfaction seeing a successful app and knowing they played a part in its success.
While a career in software testing isn’t for everyone, it can be a very rewarding journey for the right people.
Skills needed for a successful software testing career
A successful software testing career requires a combination of technical skills, analytical thinking, and attention to detail. Here are some essential skills to thrive in this field:
- Technical Skills: Software testers should have a solid understanding of programming languages, databases, operating systems, and software development methodologies. This knowledge helps testers effectively identify, replicate, and troubleshoot defects. Software testers are also no longer separated from the development team but form an integral part of the team right from the start, so these skills are vital for effective communication within the team.
- Analytical Thinking: Software testing involves analysing complex systems, identifying potential issues, and proposing solutions. Testers need to think critically and logically to uncover hidden defects and ensure the software’s reliability.
- Attention to Detail: In software testing, even the smallest oversight can have significant consequences. Testers must pay close attention to detail, meticulously following test scripts, and documenting their findings accurately.
See available positions on Inspired Testing’s Careers page.
