1. Preface: Meditation and reflection at the crossroads of life
Recently, I have seen many friends leave messages to me, telling me that my career development has encountered a bottleneck, and I feel that I am standing at a new crossroads, sitting and reflecting, and need to re-examine the issue of personal planning and development. They will ask Self: Why am I a software test engineer? How long can a software test engineer do? , Don’t say you have this question, I myself often soul torture, not much to say, let’s walk into this question.
Do test engineers eat their youth? Can software testing last a lifetime? Today we will talk about this topic, hoping to help you who are in entanglement and confusion!
2. How long can software testing be done?
Do test engineers eat their youth?
In fact, it is not just software testing. Many people think that the entire IT Internet industry (including software development, software testing, products, operation and maintenance, etc.) is eating youthful meals. Since last year 2019, major Internet companies have experienced layoffs. The layoffs of people over 35 years old by big companies such as BAT, everyone thinks that the winter of the Internet is coming, and everyone thinks that software testing or developers are worthless after the age of 35. Everyone knows that software testing changes or forced layoffs are caused by various factors on the Internet. First of all, it is not necessary for every software test to be forced to make a transition at the age of 35. Only a small group of people who are not interested in testing and whose ability is not strong will be forced to make changes. For those who are really big techs and those who are interested in testing, age is never a problem.
So, why are these software testers forced to make changes at the age of 35? Here are the four main factors I summarized:
1. Determined by the development of the enterprise. Enterprises need to inject fresh blood to maintain their vitality.
2. The technological innovation is very fast. Many people over the age of 35 can no longer keep up with the technical script.
3. Thinking is solidified with age, it is difficult for many people over 35 years old to have innovative thinking, and they always stay in their solidified thinking.
4. Work enthusiasm decreases year by year. After 35 years old, he has become an old fritters in the workplace! Start to rely on the old to sell the old!
With the development of the industry in recent years, many people have switched to IT, and the software testing group has become larger and larger. Some of them like it very much, so they will spend more time spontaneously researching programs and learning some new technologies. ; For some people, they entered this industry only for high salaries, so after working in this industry for a few years and when they get older, they will naturally feel more and more disgusted with what they are doing in this industry. Want to leave this industry early. Whether you are doing software testing or doing other work, if you are very interested in what you are doing now, then no matter how old you are, you will learn a lot of things spontaneously, and you can always climb to the top of the industry pyramid desperately ; On the contrary, you will be more likely to feel confused, and eventually be forced out of confusion and pressure.
3. Career development direction and subdivision of software test engineer
Software testing is mainly divided into three directions in the later stage:
1. Take the technical route: functional test engineer, automation test engineer, performance test engineer, safety test engineer, test development engineer, test expert.
2. Take the management route: software test engineer (junior, intermediate, advanced), test leader, test supervisor, project manager, test director.
3. Take the business route: software test engineer (junior, intermediate, senior), product manager, quality manager, QA!
Of course, in addition to these, you can also take the route of technology sharing, which is also the route I am taking.
4. Take the lecturer route: software test engineer (junior, intermediate, advanced), test lecturer, lecturer supervisor, institutional partner!
In fact, it takes 3-5 years to go from elementary to advanced level. Assuming that if you enter the industry at the age of 25, you will be almost 30 at this time. Wouldn't it be possible to withdraw from the testing field when your technology reaches its peak? Obviously this is impossible. After the age of 30, it is not just technology, but diversified development in various directions, such as management, eloquence, and interpersonal relationships. Only in this way can we go further in the software testing industry!
4. The personally recommended career plan for software testing is as follows:
[1~2 years]: Focus on testing skills: Be familiar with the entire testing process and product business areas, learn and master testing tools, testing methods, and learn a programming language, operating system, network, and database skills. Learn automated testing techniques; develop and execute test scripts, performance testing techniques, etc.!
[3~4 years]: Focus on the testing process: deeply understand the testing process, master the design and improvement of the testing process, participate in the peer review of software work products; further understand the product business area, improve test automation programming technology, and be able to guide junior test engineers; strengthen Skills in programming languages, operating systems, networks and databases. Manage 1 to 3 test engineers, take charge of task estimation, management and schedule control; further develop skills in software project management and support tools.
[4~5 years]: Focus on test management: manage 4-8 test engineers, improve task estimation, management and schedule control capabilities, complete test planning and make test plans; research and test technical methods and keep using project guidance and support tools Skills; spend a lot of time to provide technical and process guidance for other test engineers; start dealing with customers and make presentations.
[5 years or more]: Find your own direction according to your own preferences: whether it is technology, management, product or lecturer!
5. How can a software test engineer work for a lifetime
Many things are done for a lifetime, and when you turn around, it is a lifetime. Sticking to one thing and a job for a lifetime is still a thing that people admire. If software testing can do it for a lifetime, what do you do? If you do, how can you do it for a lifetime?
1. Have the ability to solve problems and teach, this is your value as an elder;
2. Software testing is currently undergoing constant changes. There are also many new fields that require software testing talents, so you need to have the enthusiasm for learning and research to keep yourself up with the pace of technological development;
3. You need to have a peaceful mind. If you work with many young people in the future, if your ability is not as good as the young, then you have to listen to them and accept their tasks, so you need to adjust your mentality;
4. Body, many times we feel powerless, we can reach our thoughts but can't act, and our body is not strong, so a strong body is fundamental and necessary.
Six, summary
Software testing is an indispensable role in the software development team, and driven by the current cloud computing and big data technology, the overall task volume of software testing is also increasing. On the one hand, the iteration speed of product versions is getting faster and faster. The situation that requires parallel testing is becoming more and more common. With the development of the Internet of Things, the demand for talents in software testing positions will still be relatively large in the future, so the current choice of learning software testing will also have better employment prospects, all friends who are interested in the software testing industry, don't miss it This opportunity.
If a tester is still a tester after 10 years of work, he can only be blamed. On the other hand, in any industry, unless the civil servants of state-owned enterprises and institutions are relatively stable, otherwise if you have been working for a long time in any industry They are all young people, and those are also youth meals. Of course, the boss will consider why you have not made any progress after so long. The same is true in the IT industry. Therefore, continuous learning and continuous improvement are the truth that will not be eliminated.
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Finally: benefits
In the technology industry, you must improve your technical skills and enrich your practical experience in automation projects. This will be very helpful for your career planning in the next few years and the depth of your testing technology.
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