Breaking the Myth: Automation Testing for Manual Testers
Hey guys, welcome to the Testing Academy! My name is Pramod, and I’m back with another insightful post. Today, I’m addressing a common concern many of my students have:
“Automation testing is very difficult. I don’t know coding. I think I’m not able to do it. I’m good with my manual testing, and I think I will not be able to survive in the automation industry. That’s why I’m not learning automation testing.”
Let’s bust this myth right now.
My Journey from Manual to Automation Testing
When I started my career with just one year of experience, I was solely focused on manual testing. I was good at it too — creating test plans, test cases, test reports, bug reports, stakeholder reports, and executing tests. I did all these tasks meticulously. But I realized that many of these tasks were repetitive and could be automated.
The Turning Point
The core reason I decided to shift to automation testing was the desire to avoid repetitive tasks. I knew that an eight-hour manual testing task could be done in one or two hours through automation. This realization was a game-changer for me.
The Salary Factor
Another significant reason for my transition was salary. As automation testers often earn salaries comparable to developers, it was a motivating factor for me. My expenses were increasing, and I needed a higher salary to meet them.
Overcoming the Fear of Coding
A common question I hear is, “I’m not comfortable with coding, and automation testing requires heavy data structure and algorithm usage.” Let me clarify:
The answer is no.
With my 12+ years of experience, I can assure you that if you know the core concepts of a programming language like Java, you can become proficient in automation testing. Most companies are hiring Java automation testers, so let’s focus on that.
Learning Path for Java Automation Testing
- Core Java: Start with the basics of Java. With a focused three-month action plan, you can learn Java effectively.
- Collections Framework: Understand the collection frameworks in Java, which are crucial for handling data structures.
- Design Patterns: Learn design patterns, particularly the Page Object Model (POM), which is widely used in Selenium web automation.
By mastering these areas, you can start contributing to web automation projects.
The Mindset Shift
The primary obstacle many people face is their mindset. Often, it’s not the lack of skills but the fear of the unknown that holds them back. If you’re a fresher or a manual tester, you can definitely transition to automation testing.
Real-Life Success Stories
I’ve seen numerous students from non-IT backgrounds transition successfully to automation testing. Whether they were waiters or had a B.Sc. degree, many have made the switch and thrived. It takes time, practice, and a well-structured roadmap.
Your Next Steps
I’ve created a detailed video on a proper automation roadmap that I used. Follow this roadmap, print it out, and stay committed. Remember, the only thing stopping you from becoming an automation tester is yourself.
Let me know in the comments why you think you are not able to transition to automation testing. I read all the comments and want to understand your challenges better.
Join Our Live Classes
If you’re serious about becoming an automation tester and want live classes with me, Join our new batch at https://sdet.live/become Use Code “PROMODE” for 10% OFF!” We’re starting a new batch soon, and I’d love to help you on your journey to becoming an automation tester.
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