What does it take to grow into

a professional (tester)?Helena Jeret-Mäe, Nortal

Twitter: @HelenaJ_MBlog: thepainandgainofedwardbear.wordpress.com

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)

Lessons from my experience

Observations as a competence head

• Serendipity

• Experimenting and learning on the job

• People in the community

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

Nothing happens if nothing happens

How can companies help people grow into professional testers?

FIRE it up!

INVEST time and energy early

SOCIALIZE

SUPPORT creating an internal network

BUILD tutoring practices

FOSTER a mentoring culture

CLARIFY and guide

MODEL the skills and knowledge relevant for testing

SHOW the space to grow into

CONNECT with others on the outside

FACILITATE internal community

INCREASE serendipity > SOCIALIZE and support creating networks internallySEEK 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

Take care of nutrients

Model professional skills and knowledge

Thank you!Helena Jeret-Mäe, Nortal

Twitter: @HelenaJ_MBlog: thepainandgainofedwardbear.wordpress.com