Talk presented at Ohjelmistotestaus 2016 (8.11.2016 in Helsinki). Program: http://events.almatalent.fi/testaus/ohjelma/ Abstract: The education of a software tester is a DIY project: learning how to test well is often left for testers themselves to figure out. There are options for learning out there such as courses and conferences but a beginning software tester first needs to find them, make sense of them, and get access to them. On top of that, many software testers have stepped into this job accidentally. Hence, there is quite a lot of stumbling around to be expected: figuring out your role, and figuring out becoming a professional. In this talk I will discuss how I approached my professional development as a software tester, where I found inspiration and support, and share stories of learning. I will also discuss some ideas on how organizations can support the professional development of software testers, some of which I have or am currently working on.

1. What does it take
to grow into
a professional (tester)?
Helena Jeret-Mäe, Nortal
Twitter: @HelenaJ_M
Blog: thepainandgainofedwardbear.wordpress.com

2. Who am I?
• Head of Testing
• Previously…
• Test lead
• Technical writer
• Volunteering and
participating in the testing
community
• Writing and speaking about
testing
• Team member at Nordic
Testing Days
• Member of PEST (Peers of
Estonian Software Testing)

3. Lessons from my experience
Observations as a competence
head

4. • Serendipity
• Experimenting and
learning on the job
• People in the
community

6. Accelerators
•INCREASE serendipity
•SEEK feedback
•LEARN from varied and multiple sources
•REFLECT regularly on your experience
•GO where likeminded people are

7. Nothing happens
if nothing happens

8. How can companies
help people
grow into professional testers?

9. FIRE it up!
INVEST time and
energy early

10. SOCIALIZE
SUPPORT creating an
internal network

11. BUILD tutoring practices
FOSTER a mentoring
culture

12. CLARIFY and guide
MODEL the skills and knowledge
relevant for testing

13. SHOW the space
to grow into

14. CONNECT with others on the
outside
FACILITATE internal community

15. INCREASE serendipity > SOCIALIZE and support creating networks internally
SEEK feedback > FACILITATE internal community
LEARN from varied sources > MODEL professional skills and knowledge
REFLECT regularly > FOSTER a mentoring culture
GO where likeminded people are > CONNECT with others on the outside

16. Take care of nutrients
Model professional skills
and knowledge

17. Thank you!
Helena Jeret-Mäe, Nortal
Twitter: @HelenaJ_M
Blog: thepainandgainofedwardbear.wordpress.com