Discussion On Accelerate your Testing Career path in the never ending Hurricane of Digital Transformation by Sapna Manjunath | Testμ 2024

What skillsets do prospective testers need to enter the AI testing field?

It’s a bit of a tough prediction, but do you think AI will open or close more roles in testing and Q/A?

Which tips could you give us to speed up the career?

What strategies can professionals adopt to ensure continuous career growth amidst rapid technological transformations?

What are the best niche (or even better, most essential) roles a new tester should look at as they enter the field, so they have a better chance at staying in their career?

Identify purpose in life and/ Profession - How do we do that?

How much time is needed for this growth process

Does toxic environment in office affect the career path and goals of a person

What’s the best first step to take to future proof a career in Q/A and testing?

As someone who started with manual testing and transitioned into automation, the key is to remember that automation and AI are tools to enhance quality, not replace it. Focus on understanding the problems you’re solving with automation, and always keep the end user in mind.

Rather than automating everything, identify critical areas where automation provides real value, such as regression testing or performance testing. Adopt a “quality-first” mindset—automation and AI should support manual testers, allowing them to focus on higher-level quality assessments, like exploratory testing.

I was once in the same position, transitioning from manual testing to automation. The key is to start small—automate repetitive tasks in your current work using tools like Selenium, Playwright, or Cypress.

From there, dive deeper into coding and frameworks, slowly moving into specialized areas. Networking with peers in these fields, attending workshops, and taking certifications in automation or performance testing can help bridge the gap. The journey is about continuous learning and applying that knowledge in real-world projects.

I’ve seen this dilemma before—having the skills but lacking formal experience. One strategy is to contribute to open-source projects or freelance on platforms like Upwork or Freelancer to build practical experience.

This way, you create a portfolio to showcase your abilities, which can help you bypass the “experience required” barrier. As for entering the EU market, joining QA communities, contributing to global projects, and networking on LinkedIn can open doors to remote opportunities.

Global QA talent is in demand, and building a network will help you connect with EU-based companies.

I’ve worked in teams where priorities shifted frequently. The key to aligning personal growth with organizational change is to remain adaptable.

Stay engaged with the company’s vision and goals. Regularly seek feedback from leadership on how you can contribute to their evolving needs, and share your career aspirations.

Being proactive in upskilling and finding opportunities that align with both your growth and the company’s trajectory will keep you relevant in times of change.

Hey ,

When I defined my career path, I considered my strengths, interests, and industry demands. If you enjoy coding and working closely with developers, an SDET role might be ideal. If you’re more interested in systems and data, performance testing could be your niche.

Management roles require leadership skills, so consider those if you enjoy mentoring others and working on process improvements. The key is to stay curious and experiment with different roles before committing.

I’ve experienced burnout, and it taught me the importance of balance. Set clear boundaries between work and personal life, and find mentors who can guide you through difficult periods.

Learning to prioritize tasks and taking time off when needed are crucial. The industry is fast-paced, so it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind, but remember that continuous learning doesn’t have to be a sprint. Pace yourself.

Adaptability is crucial. In every organization I’ve worked in, there’s been a constant need to pivot. The most successful QA professionals I’ve known are the ones who embraced change, learned new tools, and sought ways to add value despite the uncertainty.

Being adaptable allows you to turn challenges into opportunities for growth, rather than obstacles.

In my experience, while AI isn’t an immediate requirement for every QA professional, it’s certainly becoming a valuable skill set. Understanding AI and machine learning concepts will give you an edge, especially as more companies begin incorporating AI-driven testing frameworks.

But even if AI isn’t directly part of your role today, staying informed about its potential impact on testing will future-proof your career.

This is something I’ve faced consistently. To stay ahead, I dedicate time every week to learning new tools and technologies. Attending webinars, taking online courses, and experimenting with new frameworks in sandbox environments keep my skills sharp.

It’s important to adopt a mindset of continuous learning—embrace change rather than resist it.

Hey ,

In a digital-first world, skills like API testing, mobile app testing, and cloud-based testing are essential. Familiarity with tools like Cypress, Selenium, JMeter, and cloud-based platforms like

LambdaTest or BrowserStack will be invaluable. Additionally, understanding DevOps and CI/CD pipelines, and learning to code (especially in Python or JavaScript), will make you a more versatile tester.

Absolutely. Tools like Selenium, Playwright, and Cypress are becoming the go-to for UI automation. For performance testing, JMeter and Gatling are widely used. In a DevOps environment, Jenkins and CircleCI are critical for integrating testing into CI/CD pipelines. Being familiar with these tools will keep you competitive in the evolving QA landscape.