Yesterday I attended alumni meeting of my college where I completed my post graduation. I gave a presentation on software testing, opportunities, skills required, how to improve skills etc. Very surprisingly, not many of the students knew that there are many people involved in successful release of many software products and projects in addition to software developers. I spent more than an hour in explaining the value of software testing, why students need to understand the testing. I tried to explain them, students especially computer applications and computer sciences disciplines should not only look for developer jobs, they should also realize that they should get the skills required for software testing. There is a lot of passion and satisfaction involved in software testing.
When I asked the students how many of them are interested in software testing, none of them raised hands. All of them answered that they want to become software developers when they take up jobs after completion of their course. I think the reason for this response may be due to process how software testers are selected in campus placements and recruitment process. Another reason may be they didn't get exposure to software testing in their academics. May be there were not encouraged by seniors and faculty to take up software jobs.
At the end of presentation, I felt I could make a little difference to change the attitude of students on software testing. I will be happy if any of them understand my talk and start working on developing their skills to become industry ready passionate software testers.
When I asked the students how many of them are interested in software testing, none of them raised hands. All of them answered that they want to become software developers when they take up jobs after completion of their course. I think the reason for this response may be due to process how software testers are selected in campus placements and recruitment process. Another reason may be they didn't get exposure to software testing in their academics. May be there were not encouraged by seniors and faculty to take up software jobs.
At the end of presentation, I felt I could make a little difference to change the attitude of students on software testing. I will be happy if any of them understand my talk and start working on developing their skills to become industry ready passionate software testers.