QA Job Descriptions - If Written Like the Mythical Shackleton Polar Expedition Advert
Photo by Derek Oyen - Gentoo penguins penguins on a stony beach on Danco Island | Antarctic Peninsula. Quark Expeditions ship in the background.
What is the Mythical Shackleton Polar Expedition Advert
According to many business books Ernest Shackleton placed an advert to find men for one of his early 1900's expeditions to Antarctica. According to some digging on the inter-webs, however, it sounds like this is an urban legend. I won't speculate on the matter, but either way, the advert sounds really great. It is usually quoted in business books, that write about starting with your why and matching your intentions to your work.
Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success. Ernest Shackleton 4 Burlington st.
Is a Job in QA Really that Hazardous - an Anecdotal Reference
Yes, a job in software testing or Quality Assurance (QA) as it's commonly called, may be as hazardous, at least career-wise, as a journey to the South Pole. Let me explain.
Upon my arrival in Duesseldorf, Germany, the European headquarters of the software consultancy at which I worked, the business development team realized the position they had originally brought me across the Atlantic to perform was no longer a viable option (common in consulting firms who rely on project work).
Then, after a couple of days the business development manager, a talented and extremely supportive colleague, asked me on odd question about a placement:
I have an opportunity for placement, but it's in testing, so I felt I needed to check with you first. Most people who have tested software, aren't willing to admit it on their CVs (curriculum vitae). But, you listed testing on your CV, so I just have to ask || Was that on purpose? Cheers, Your Business Development Team
Turns out I was one of the brave souls, who hazarded an Information Technology (IT) career with testing on their CV.
Assuming a Job in QA Truly is that Hazardous - Here's a Job Description Modeled after the Mythical Shackleton Advert
For this article, we'll assume that a job in software testing is just as hazardous to your IT career as an expedition to the Antarctic can be to your life. Given this assumption, here's how I recommend IT professionals looking to hire talented software testers write their job descriptions going forward:
Brave souls wanted for hazardous endeavors. Lower wages than most jobs related to building software, bitterly cold shoulders from many colleagues expected, business reps to IT may also treat you with disdain, long hours working in isolation while other roles in IT enjoy recognition and respect. Safe return to other roles in IT doubtful. Internal satisfaction from knowing you contributed to a quality product the only possible reward >>> in event of survival.
Conclusion
While this is written tongue-in-cheek, like most of our articles, the point is, be brave enough to journey into testing. You will not be disappointed as it is fun to help an IT department or IT team build quality products, even though quite often others don't recognize you for it.
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