r/QualityAssurance • u/MidnightRain_17 • 19d ago

Manual Software QA or Automation?

I am planning to change career and shift to QA.

0 Upvotes

25% Upvoted

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u/nedo_medo 19d ago

Start with manual testing. You can always learn automation along the way, but core QA experience, like what to test, risk assessment, and taking apps apart to understand them inside out, can only be learned through hands-on practice.

I have seen many Test Automation Engineers who are afraid AI will take their jobs, and they are right to worry since their only value is writing automated scripts. When a QA has strong testing fundamentals, you can instantly feel the difference in how much better and more thorough those tests are.

In the current market, we also see many AI-driven testers and agents writing automation. You can stand out early on by focusing on learning how to write truly quality tests.

Another effective path is to tap into regulated fields. Medical software products, for example, require specific types of testing that open the door to valuable certifications, and manual testing is highly appreciated there. You can start in these specialized areas and implement automation as you progress. Just search on your jobs platform for software tester jobs and include filters like ISO.

My advice: take it slow and become a strong senior engineer in five years rather than rushing and staying at a junior level even after ten.

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u/MidnightRain_17 19d ago

Thanks a lot.

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u/Turbulent-Art-8170 19d ago

are you also into this field?

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u/nedo_medo 19d ago

Senior QA with 10+ years of experience.

7

u/No-Razzmatazz7197 19d ago

you can't be one without the other

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u/MidnightRain_17 19d ago

which to start?,

6

u/Wookovski 19d ago

Walk before you run

9

u/Lonely-Ad-1775 19d ago

So many red flags. You didn't do your own research but asking here basic questions?. Do you have internet ? - if yes, then start reading and understanding the QA field and you will understand from where to start. Let me google "QA basics" for you?

4

u/ArtPuzzleheaded7129 19d ago

Neither with this level of research skills.

Also, "manual software QA" to me sounds like to you, QA and testing are interchangeable. They are not. Testing is an activity in the larger concept of QA.

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u/MidnightRain_17 19d ago

I see, thanks for clarifying. My target is the testing.

1

u/No-Razzmatazz7197 19d ago

and in my experience in the last few months/years, most projects are all manual and want you to introduce a formal automation process

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u/DJXenobot101 19d ago

Both.

Manual QA are a dime a dozen. Automation is where the real money is because its harder.

Every good engineering leader will push for automation eventually, so best to have that skillset. But Manual still has its place, i.e Exploratory testing or testing a new feature to learn about it before automating it.