A career as a quality assurance technician can open the door to a variety of industries, from automotive to engineering to computer software. Every company wants to ensure that its products are coming off the line and into the hands of the consumers in good shape; the quality assurance technician oversees this process. For experts in their field who have been involved in an industry for several years may be able to transition into a quality assurance technician position rather easily.
For example, a quality assurance technician for a software company might test the new functions of a software program, spending as much time as possible in order to try and “break” the product as well as mastering the ins and outs of the program by determining how durable it is and how well it meets the company’s expectations. By being a test audience, you'll find that you can make your software much more adept and ready for the public before it goes out, which is an important job.
If you are considering a job as a quality assurance technician, think about your field and what you feel qualified to do. You also need to think about getting the education and training to back up your skills and knowledge. You will likely encounter stiff competition in all industries. Generally speaking, the standards of the field require quality assurance technicians to have a four-year degree as well as between two and four years of relevant experience. However, in most cases, experience trumps education—in other words, the sooner you get involved, the better!
A quality assurance technician must be detail oriented. Are you someone who is willing to be exceedingly precise with the things that you note? For instance, a quality assurance technician for a software company needs to record everything done with the software, right down to the keystrokes used and, in some cases, the timing of it. In addition, you need to be willing to take the time to replicate problems and solve them over and over again until you have passed muster.
Keep in mind that you will also need to continue updating your knowledge. If you are in a field that moves very quickly, the more that you are willing to move with it, the better off you will be. For the quality assurance technician, life really is a never-ending learning experience.
The pay for this job varies wildly, depending on the industry. For instance, quality assurance technicians in the video game industry receive very little—if anything at all—while software quality assurance technicians can expect to make an average of $40,000 a year. Make sure that you think about your industry and what you can reasonably expect.
Quality assurance as a field provides individuals with the opportunity to build a great deal of seniority over time. The larger the company is, the more likely they are to need your expertise. Is it the right role for you? Learn a little more about this job and see where it can take you!
