Track Talk: Evolve or Die – What Testers Need to Do to Survive and Thrive

With the advent of new technologies, agile methodologies, innovative tools, and a global workforce, the tester’s role is rapidly changing. Those who can adapt to the changing environment get the best jobs and assignments, and others get left behind. As the discipline of testing evolves, test professionals have to make decisions that will determine their success and job satisfaction. Is it better to specialize or be a generalist? Are you a better fit for a small start-up or a large corporation? Do you have more opportunity for growth in management or by pursuing a technical career? What skills should you cultivate to meet your goals? Michael Cooper shares the lessons he learned in his own professional journey from manual tester to Chief Quality Officer and strategic adviser.

Talk Takeaways:

• Learn the pros and cons of specialization by industry, technology, tool sets, and methodology.
• Take away real-world examples of how choosing the right path, clear communication, a strong professional network, and continuous skill development can help you grow and thrive in your testing career.
• Understand what skills you need to develop to achieve your long-term goals.
• Identify opportunities for career growth in the ever-changing field of Quality Engineering.