How to become a software tester

How to become a tester…

Someone asked: “What classes should I take to become a tester?” Personally I think you don't really need a class to get in to testing (maybe a coding class to learn the basic structures of software languages). Testing is really a different mindset (but if you must take a class go to www.testingeducation.org which offers a course in black box testing designed by Kaner and Bach).

I’m not sure that good testers are made, I kind of think that good testers are born. They usually have a few skills or traits that are hard to teach.
The characteristics that make a good tester are:
· an inquisitive mind
· attention to detail
· perseverance
· drive
· creativity
· intelligence
· customer focus
· strong personality (be willing to speak your mind when others disagree)
· integrity
· humbleness
· adaptability
· passion for technology
· the ability to learn new things quickly
Also some experience with the scientific method is helpful (any lab science will do), you need to be able to systematically remove things from an equation to find the root cause of failures (bugs), and a science background is helpful.

If you were the kind of kid that took your mom’s vacuum cleaner apart to find out how it worked, then you might have the kind of inquisitive mind necessary to be a great tester.

If you want reading material to learn from the greats, then I'd hit google and look up "Cem Kaner", then look up "Brian Marick", then look up "James Bach", then look up "Bret Pettichord" (there are others I’m sure I’m forgetting but you will find them as you read the previous authors). Read as much of their blogs and white papers as you can. Remember that they aren't always right, (I disagree with them about the benefits of GUI automation, and think it IS possible to manage a functional automation project), but the principals they put forth are dead on.

Then google "TDD" (test driven development) and look for "CTDD" (customer test driven development), then look up "model based testing" to round out what you may hear in the industry. I'd also look at wikipedia for the definition of white box testing.

www.kaner.com
www.pettichord.com
www.satisfice.com
www.exampler.com/testing-com/