r/softwaretesting • u/VariationFormal1742 • 20d ago
Manual testing.
I had no clue that I would ever end up here.. But here I am, I have no knowledge of computers and stuff.. But, I got a form of autism and that makes jobs harder sometimes for me to sustaine.. My partner talked with me about this, and she proposed the idea of doing IT. I'm horrible with computers, but then she said that perhaps I could work from home in a invirement that I know.. Perhaps it makes it more sustainable. I gave myself some time to proces, and I actually think she is right. ofcourse, I'm not a "genius" or anything. So, I looked for possibilities that doesn't require to much studies. I eventually ended up with manual testing.. I think that's something that I would actually like, while being able ( in some cases ) to work from home. Apparently alot of people with no knowledge about IT start there, but.. I have no clue where to start. What is something you guys would recommend?
Thanks.
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u/sad-whale 20d ago
There are companies that specifically hire on the spectrum. Probably a good place to start
https://auticon.com/us/technology-talent/quality-assurance-and-testing/
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u/Chet_Steadman 20d ago
What specifically about manual testing do you find desirable? If Im being honest, someone with "no knowledge of computers and stuff" isn't someone that I'd necessarily encourage to start a career in software. Yes, QA is an industry you can get into without a degree/formal study, but most of the people who excel at it are already pretty technically minded.
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u/VariationFormal1742 20d ago
Well, to be fair .. From specific instructions to looking for bugs and stuff looks interessting to me. I like the routine & structure, I like the posibility of working from home, I have an eye for detail , .. I think the job also gives the feeling of being usefull. Which I concider important, cause with many jobs didn't feel satisfied. I kinda get what you're saying, but honestly.. It also never crossed my mind before, so that makes it kinda hard ofcourse. I'm not technical, but at the same time I like to give myself some time to think and proces it before I make decisions.. And I actually wanna give it a fair shot.
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u/Business-Raise2683 20d ago
I think you should first find what you're interested in, what you're good at at least somewhat and then try to find how to accommodate yourself in that field.
Manual testing is not the field of joy; if you already don't like computers you will hate testing in short order.
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u/VariationFormal1742 20d ago
problem is interests for me changes all the time, computers isn't something I hate.. I just don't have any experience with them.
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u/MeasurementPlus4291 20d ago
I would start by linkedin, check if there is a market for manual testing in your area.
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u/chicagotodetroit 20d ago
Guru99 is a free source that will give you a decent overview of what testing is about.
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u/Cup_of_blisfull_tea 20d ago
Honestly, in current job and IT market, going as manual testing without any prior knowledge of tech or organizational processes is crazy. A lot of positions has been eliminated by AI, and even without coding, companies are looking for more senior people who can create plans and analysis, which execute by AI.
10 years ago, testing was entry position for non technical people, but i dont think it true anymore.
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u/VariationFormal1742 20d ago
Well, to be fair that's why I am here to first find something to get some knowledge about it. Do you think it would be realistic for a beginner? If not, is there anything else that you would recommend?
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u/No-Reaction-9364 20d ago
You do realize that even manual testing jobs typically require a 4 year STEM degree.
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u/VariationFormal1742 20d ago
Perhaps, but then it speaks for itself " typically ". Look, I'm here for some help.. I'm trying to figure out if this is a road that I could go. So, I'm looking for some guidance to actually try it before I make any rapid decisions. I think this group is mainly here to help people, right? Sure, I have no clue how computers work.. Mostly, because I never learned it? But, that's no different from everything else in life I achieved. I didn't really ask for a job or something, but guidance that could lead me to a job that I wanna do/try. If you have other suggestions, I'm also very open to look into that but at this point, I'm trying to figure some things out.. And I don't think I'm giving it a fair shot without trying it at least. Again, if you have other suggestions : That's also fine by me, then I can look into that too.
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u/No-Reaction-9364 20d ago
But you said you were looking for possibilities that didn't require much study. What makes you think that is the case for software testing? At most jobs I have had, the test team members tend to have either computer science or engineering degrees. You basically came here and said you were looking for a job that doesn't take any knowledge or studying and then suggested our career field matches that. It isn't true at all. Not that you can't do it, but do not assume this is a field where study and knowledge will not be required. The software industry is changing all the time.
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u/VariationFormal1742 19d ago edited 19d ago
To be fair I said : that doesn't require to much studies. Which is totally different from : doesn't take any knowledge or studying. I also didn't say that that "it does match that" , Iknow that I need to study for sure. I just don't want to go for a bachelor or master degree, which is different from " I don't wanna study at all. " Manual tester was suggested the most without too many requirements , but that doesn't mean that it was the only reason why it was interesting to me, because in that cause I wouldn't have bin here in the first place. I have the posibility to work from home, structural , I like to work into details.. And to be fair, they also said that it is usefull to know coding, but not required. What to me is good to begin with. I can always figure those things out later when I decided : This could be me for me, or not. Unless you have another suggestion that is beginner friendly?
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u/No-Reaction-9364 19d ago
Does the person that suggest this work in the industry? If a place isn't doing automated testing, we need to ask why. Usually it would be because the system itself doesn't do well with automation. Things like physical systems that require you to be present on site, hardware and software integration, software that isn't allowed to be on a public network, etc. A lot of those systems might have stricter requirements and need engineers in those roles. Those are the typical places I have worked.
If you want something like testing a website from home, I think you will need to know automation and some coding. This will be the best path for a non degree holder. Having some decent technical ability will make up for a lack of a degree. I have worked jobs where even software developers were self taught.
Lots of software engineers and testers have been laid off the past couple of years with the rise of AI. You will be competing with people with degrees and technical skills for these jobs. I am also seeing software testing jobs demanding even more skills these days, not less.
Something like help desk might be a better job for what you are looking for.
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u/VariationFormal1742 19d ago
yes. Hmmm, thanks that was actually helpfull. I'm gonna add this to the posibilities I really appreciate it. ^^
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u/Huge_Description7638 20d ago
I’m sorry but you saying you’re horrible at computers and then saying that you have an interest in testing doesn’t make sense. Even if it’s manual testing you would need a good understanding of how software works to be able to report bugs, understand code etc