Career Paths And Career Options For Software Engineers and Testers

Here are the career paths for Software Engineers and Testers:


Software Development

-> Junior SE -> SE -> Senior SE -> Team Lead -> Sr. Team Lead -> Project Manager-> Program Manager -> Delivery Manager -> Senior Management

Testing

-> Junior Tester -> Tester -> Senior Tester -> Lead Tester -> Test Manager - > Quality Manager -> Senior Management (Quality or Project/ Program Management)

By the time you reach the Managerial position you have already re-skilled yourself from being a software engineer/ testing associate to being a manager. Now it depends on how well you can manage an IT project(development, support, consulting etc) and become a Program delivery manager or People manager.

What do you need to do for consistent growth

• Work Hard. There is no replacement for hard work
• Be proficient and master the skills to be the best within the competition
• Add value. Get Visibility for your good work.

How Many Years Does It take to Grow in the IT Industry

• 1 to 2 Years - Junior Software Engineer/ Junior Tester

• 3 to 5 Years - Software Engineer/ Tester

• 5 to 7 Years - Senior Software Engineer/ Senior Tester

• 7 to 9 Years - Team Lead/ Tech Lead/ Test Lead

• 9 to 10 Years - Senior Tech Lead/ Senior Team Lead/ Senior Test Lead

• 10+ Years -  Project Manager

• 12+ Years - Program Manager

Alternate Options:

• If you are really good at technical design and architecture then you can continue to improvise on your technical expertise. Become a Technical architect over a period of 7+ years

• If you are really good at understanding the business domain you may become domain expertise. Become a business analyst over a period of 7+ years

• If you are good at presentation skills and have good technical/ domain knowledge then you may become a corporate trainer

• If you are really really good at building or creating software then you may also look at the option of creating your own software products and selling it directly to the customers