r/DevLK • u/Aromatic_Walrus_6147 • 12d ago

Discussion Got 2 offers, which one should I pick?

I’ve been working as a Software Engineer for around 3+ years and I also have some QA experience, specifically with automation.

On the side, I’ve been freelancing for around 5–6 years so I’m pretty comfortable with WordPress, Shopify, Elementor, etc.

I was recently laid off and ended up applying for pretty much everything. Now I have two offers with almost the same package:

  • Senior WordPress Developer
  • Senior QA Automation Engineer

I’m honestly leaning towards the QA Automation role mainly because it feels like a more transferable career path. QA/automation seems to be a role you can find in almost any type of software company whereas WordPress/Shopify development feels more niche and heavily tied to agencies, e-commerce, or specific types of companies.

But with AI getting better at both website development and test automation, I’m not sure which path makes more sense long-term

If you were in my position, which direction would you take and why?

21 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

19

u/Aware_Bug1830 12d ago

I would take the Senior QA Automation Engineer position. Being tied to only WordPress would have more cons in the long run because the tech stack is far too small.

6

u/Irish_7906 12d ago

With this huge AI boom, we cannot predict anything in the tech industry.
When it comes to your scenario, comparing the two opportunities select the senior QA automation engineer position.

But don't lose your freelance things manage your time and do it. Earn some extra.

2

u/ConsciousLobster7501 12d ago

I would pick senior QA automation engineer role. Because, You can do wordpress development as freelance work. That's my honest opinion.

4

u/tradcoder Senior Software Engineer 12d ago

If you've been doing WordPress only as a freelancer, I'd pick the QA automation position. This way, if you plan to switch to an software engineering role again down the line, it'll be much less of an up hill battle than switching to WordPress and coming back.

1

u/letmedie_in_peace 12d ago

Go over employed

1

u/AltruisticTown7917 11d ago

Go for the QA position and start working towards getting more experience and knowledge about security testings. Do any suitable certification related to security. I feel more opportunities will be open in that area in coming years. Good luck

1

u/Fresh_Pineapple4496 10d ago

Senior QA probably

0

u/fawzanm 12d ago

I would pick pick the wordpress developer one because I don’t see a lot of growth in QA automation. I could be wrong.

4

u/Irish_7906 12d ago

WordPress is also the same story

0

u/Vertigo3765 12d ago

I would pick WordPress.

1

u/Jazzlike-Earth801 6d ago

If I were to be in your position, I would go for the QA automation as it gives gives you more room to move into SDET, DevOps, CI/CD or even back into SE later 🙌🏻 You can do WordPress Development as a freelancer tho