Software Tester Career Outlook

As you are reading this article, your computer is most likely running dozens of programs, including the Internet browser that you are using to view this website. Have you ever wondered what would happen if your browser didn’t work? Probably not. You simply expect your computer to work, and largely it does. Thanks to computer hardware engineers and software developers, you can read this page in comfort.

An integral part of the process of creating computer programs is called software testing. It’s not a glamorous job – few computer jobs are, really – but it is a very necessary one. Think of it as quality control for your computer: before a program is released, it has gone through many tests, all designed to make sure it can do its job without crashing your system.

What Do Software Testers Do?

The job of software testing is a twofold one. Many people automatically think that software testers find and fix mistakes; this is partly true and partly mistaken. Software testers do find mistakes (or “bugs”) in the program they are testing, but only rarely do they actually fix them. They report the flaws to the people who designed and built the program. The other component of software testing is documentation: gathering as much information as possible about the test subject, how it works, and what problems it is likely to run into. At this point, the tester needs to think like someone who will be using the program for the first time. For example, if the user presses button X, event Y occurs, which is good. If the user mistakenly presses button X and button Z, then the program abruptly terminates, which is bad. The software tester will record that result and pass it on to be fixed or at least noted in the troubleshooting guide.

A software tester may not always need a college degree, but he or she needs to be very experienced and knowledgeable about the computer field. Given the technical issues involved, computer classes are the frequently the best and fastest way to acquire the needed skills. A bachelor’s degree is often preferred, while some companies accept equivalent work experience or certification.

The Career Outlook for Software Testing

Just like software testing is part quality control and part computer science, the job prospects for software testing are mixed. On the positive side, the computer industry shows no signs of slowing down its output of new software. Also, businesses and other institutions may need software programs altered or completely new ones written. Every new or changed program needs evaluating, and this is all great for software testers. As programs become increasingly advanced and the world in general becomes more dependent on technology, testing jobs will continue to grow.

The down side to all this job growth is outsourcing. Like its closely related computer cousin, programming, lots of software testing can be outsourced – that is, done away from the job site. To reduce costs and increase profits, some companies choose to outsource jobs to places where they can be done more cheaply. This is a problem for many jobs in the computer industry.

Does this mean that all software testing jobs will disappear overseas? No. Many companies prefer to have local, on-site workers test their products. Communication is often faster, clearer, and easier. While software testing is a competitive field, a detail-oriented person with a logical brain and a flair for solving puzzles – and patience! – can make it his or her career. Like other jobs where outsourcing has been a factor, a candidate with knowledge, experience, and skill will usually be able to find a job.

Schools offering Software Development training:

Herzing College

Diploma, Certificate, Associate, Coursework
Diploma Web and Print Production Artist, Diploma Computer Network Technology, Diploma Legal Assistant Secretary, Diploma Health Care Aide, Diploma Clinic Office Assistant, ..
Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Online School

New England Institute of Technology

Associate, Bachelor, Master
Associate in Science in Video and Audio Production, Bachelor of Science in Digital Recording Arts Technology, Bachelor of Science in Game Development & Simulation Programming , Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Associate in Science in Information Technology, ..
Rhode Island

TechSkills

Certificate
Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Windows Applications, Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist: Windows Vista, Configuration (MCTS), CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), ..
North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Florida, Utah, Missouri, California, Tennessee, Wisconsin