Keeping QA Job Skills Relevant in a Competitive Market

摘要

Staying relevant is key to workplace survival, especially over the past few years in which high tech has seen many of its traditional jobs disappear or become transformed. Individuals who have had great job experience, good salaries and steady employment have had to suddenly re-evaluate what it means to be employed in high tech. This paper is a collection of thoughts and experiences of two Silicon Valley, software QA professionals, one an industry veteran and the other a dot com newcomer. In addition, an informal survey was conducted among the membership of a Silicon Valley Software QA association (SSQA), and some of their responses are included as well. This paper touches on topics ranging from formal and informal training, networking through local and national QA and software testing organizations, and Internet resources. We also cover the importance of flexibility and willingness to try something new and getting out of one's "comfort zone". Two other traits will be explored: adaptability and providing value (ie., going the extra mile). Finally, we'll touch on how to seize the moment and not allow an opportunity to pass. This paper will include information from traditional and non-traditional sources as well as examples from the authors' own experiences.