career opportunities in software testing

As a software tester, you’ll be involved in the quality assurance stage of software development and deployment. You’ll conduct automated and manual tests to ensure the software created by developers is fit for purpose and any bugs or issues are removed within a product before it gets deployed to everyday users.

Your role is integral to the creation of software systems and technical products including vehicles, electronic goods, defence, and healthcare. You might work on bespoke, individual projects or multinational projects spanning the globe and costing billions of pounds. You’ll need to be familiar, or become familiar with, programming and using coding languages.

Responsibilities

As a software tester, you’ll need to:

  • meet with system users to understand the scope of projects
  • work with software developers and project support teams
  • identify business requirements
  • plan projects
  • monitor applications and software systems
  • carry out stress testing, performance testing, functional testing and scalability testing
  • write and execute test scripts
  • run manual and automated tests
  • test in different environments including web and mobile
  • write bug reports
  • assess code
  • carry out resource planning
  • review documentation
  • work towards departmental and project deadlines
  • provide quality assurance
  • provide objective feedback to software development project teams
  • troubleshoot and problem solve
  • design tests to mitigate risk
  • present findings to software development and business user teams
  • travel to different project sites
  • work on multiple projects at one time
  • document analysis
  • liaise with project teams in other parts of the world
  • communicate findings to technical and non-technical colleagues.

Salary

  • Starting salaries for graduate-level software testing positions are in the region of £18,000 to £27,000 (depending on location and company size).
  • With three to five years’ experience, salaries can rise considerably. Software testers earn £35,000 to £50,000 on average.

Salaries vary according to location, technical knowledge and the sector. The City of London and financial services currently pay the highest salaries. Some companies also offer bonus schemes, benefits and overtime payments for unsociable hours.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours usually follow a standard office day of eight or nine hours, between 8am and 6pm. However, due to the nature of project work you may be required to work outside these times.

On occasion this may mean working shifts and weekend work. This would be most likely to occur during periods of software deployment or if a project happens to be taking place across a variety of locations and time zones.

Related case studies

What to expect

  • Work is mainly office-based and you’ll spend the majority of your time at a computer.
  • Your role may be stressful at times, particularly around the time of project completion.
  • Once you’ve gained adequate experience, you could progress into the freelance and contracting market. This would enable you to select specific projects and work more flexibly. However, working as a contractor may not provide the same benefits and job security in comparison to a permanent employee.
  • The IT sector, including software testing roles, has a higher ratio of male to female workers. However, there is a higher ratio of female to male software testers when compared with other IT jobs (such as software development). Organisations working to encourage more females into software testing roles and IT careers include Women in Technology and the BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT).
  • Companies employ software testers in many locations within the UK. The highest concentration is in large cities including London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Birmingham. There are also international opportunities, most notably in the USA and India, where a large number of offshore software testing companies are based.

Qualifications

Software testers often have a degree in computer science or IT. However, the role is open to graduates from a variety of degree disciplines including:

  • chemistry
  • electrical engineering
  • mathematics
  • physics.

You can enter the software testing profession with an HND or foundation degree. A diploma in software, IT, or engineering may be most highly regarded by companies.

Skills

You’ll need to have:

  • strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to liaise with a variety of stakeholders
  • problem-solving skills
  • the ability to work under pressure
  • attention to detail
  • competent technical skills
  • the ability to work in a team and individually
  • organisational skills with the capability of working towards tight deadlines
  • a passion for working with technology.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=2TT4m9rLtV4%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26enablejsapi%3D1%26origin%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.prospects.ac.uk

Work experience

A number of large graduate employers offer summer internships and year-in-industry placements, which provide the opportunity to gain relevant work experience. Completing such a placement will give you useful professional software testing experience and would expose you to the full development lifecycle.

Some companies run work shadow schemes to give an insight into the software testing profession.

Your university may also have a computing society. Joining relevant university societies will help you demonstrate your passion for technology and may provide other opportunities to meet with companies and industry professionals.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

Software testers are required in a variety of industries, where they are a valuable asset to organisations that rely on safe, functioning software to operate.

You can find software testing opportunities in:

  • financial services
  • healthcare
  • manufacturing
  • media
  • professional services
  • public sector
  • retail
  • telecommunications
  • transport.

Large graduate employers may include software testing within their rotational IT graduate programmes. This would give you the opportunity to gain experience in software testing as well as other IT roles (including project management, application support and software development).

Employers without traditional rotational graduate schemes may offer software testing as a direct entry role where candidates start work as a software tester from day one.

You may wish to consider your preference for style of working before you apply for jobs. Large organisations often have software testers dedicated to one project, while smaller organisations may have a central team working on multiple projects.

I. Why Software Testing Matters

Software testing is the process of evaluating a software application to identify and rectify defects, ensuring that it performs as intended. It is an indispensable part of the software development life cycle, as it not only guarantees the software’s reliability but also enhances the user experience. Poorly tested software can result in financial losses, damage to a company’s reputation, and even security breaches. This makes software testing an invaluable aspect of software development.

II. Types of Software Testing

The world of software testing is multifaceted, offering a wide array of career paths. Some of the most common types of software testing include:

  1. Manual Testing: Testers manually execute test cases without the assistance of automation tools. This type of testing is especially crucial for exploring software as a user would.
  2. Automation Testing: Automation testers use specialized tools to automate test cases, making the process faster and more efficient. This area requires proficiency in programming languages and frameworks.
  3. Performance Testing: This evaluates how well a software application performs under specific conditions, ensuring it can handle the expected load and stress.
  4. Security Testing: Security testers focus on identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses in software applications, helping to prevent data breaches and cyberattacks.
  5. Mobile App Testing: With the surge in mobile applications, testers specialize in ensuring the functionality and compatibility of apps on various devices and operating systems.

Career Opportunities in Software Testing

a. Quality Assurance Analyst: As a quality assurance analyst, you will be responsible for ensuring the quality and reliability of software applications through manual or automated testing.

b. Test Engineer: Test engineers design test cases, execute them, and report issues to the development team. They are essential in maintaining the software’s integrity.

c. Test Manager: Test managers oversee the testing process, manage testing teams, and make strategic decisions regarding the testing approach.

d. Automation Tester: Automation testers specialize in developing and maintaining test scripts, making testing more efficient and repeatable.

e. Performance Tester: Performance testers analyze and optimize the speed and scalability of software applications.

IV. The Growing Significance of Software Testing as a Career

  1. Job Security: The demand for software testers continues to rise as organizations prioritize software quality.
  2. Competitive Salaries: Software testing professionals often earn competitive salaries, especially as they gain experience and expertise.
  3. Diverse Industries: Virtually every industry, from healthcare to finance, relies on software testing to ensure the quality of their applications, offering opportunities in various domains.
  4. Skill Development: A career in software testing encourages continuous learning and skill development, making it a rewarding profession for those who enjoy staying up-to-date with technology.

How to Get Started in Software Testing

  1. Education: Many software testers have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. However, you can also get started with relevant certifications or a diploma in software testing.
  2. Hands-on Experience: Start by gaining hands-on experience with manual testing. You can participate in open-source projects or intern with a testing team to build your skills.
  3. Learn Automation: Acquire skills in automation testing using popular tools like Selenium, Appium, or JUnit.
  4. Soft Skills: Effective communication, attention to detail, and critical thinking are essential soft skills for a successful career in software testing.

VI. Entry-Level Jobs in Software Testing

  1. Junior Quality Assurance Analyst: These positions are perfect for beginners, providing opportunities to learn and grow.
  2. Manual Tester: Start by performing manual testing and gradually transition to more specialized roles.
  3. Internships: Many organizations offer testing internships that provide valuable experience and networking opportunities.

VII. Opportunities in Software Development

While this article primarily focuses on software testing, it’s worth mentioning that software development offers a plethora of opportunities as well. Software developers design, build, and maintain software applications, coding the functionalities that testers later evaluate. A career in software development is highly rewarding, with opportunities in web development, mobile app development, machine learning, and more.

Conclusion

Software testing is an exciting and vital field within the software development industry. It offers a multitude of career opportunities, job security, competitive salaries, and a chance for continuous learning and skill development. Whether you’re just starting your career or considering a change, exploring the world of software testing can be a path to success. So, take the plunge, hone your skills, and embark on a fulfilling journey in the ever-evolving world of software testing.

About the author

Study on Scholarship Today -- Check your eligibility for up to 100% scholarship.

Leave a Comment