future in QA and testing

[Prakash Dwivedi]

Hello friends,
I am working in Java(Core,servlets,JSP,EJB) from last 2 years. My present company is a small company with about 20 employees, now few days ago i got an offer from another company with size of about(100) also they are CMM level 5 and follow better designs for making s/w and are ready to pay me 15% more, but they want me to do QA and Testing along with Development, when i enquired more as how much % of time will i be doing testing than they did not gave me any exact reply.
Now my doubt is if i join this company as a QA/Devloper than how is it going to effect my career in long run or should i stay with my current company.
Please suggest
thanx

[Mark Herschberg]

Every developer should do some testing! You'll have a much better appreciation for it. Also, I can't imagine a CMM level 5 company which does not require everyone to be involved in testing to some degree.
The only thing to worry about is whether you'll be full time QA, which, in my mind, isn't inherently bad, it jsut has an unfortunate and misplaced stigma associated with it.
Ask if they have a former QA group (seperate from your group), if so, then know they are the true QA people and you shouldn't worry. Also, try to talk to other developers there (you did get a chance to meet some of your co-workers, right?), and ask them how much time they spend testing.
--Mark

[Prakash Dwivedi]

Thanks Mark,
I am suppose to go their on Tuesday, so i'll make all these enquiries.
But my anthor doubt is that if i keep working as a developer than after few years i'll become TeamLeader and than Project Manager, but if i become QA professional than what will be my future, will i be QA professional for life? or can i still become Team Leader / Project Manager?
Thanx

[Rufus BugleWeed]

Could it be they want you to work QA until you are familiar with the business logic?

[John Fontana]

Originally posted by Rufus BugleWeed:
Could it be they want you to work QA until you are familiar with the business logic?

I agree - what better way to get to know what an application is supposed to do, and understand the end-users expectations...

[Matt Cao]

Hi Prakash,
There is a different way to see it. Your current company only 20 employees and the one in query is 100 employees that means you have more opportunities. Who can stop you from switching department once you know how is the organization flown?
Cheers,
MCao

[Manish Hatwalne]

Originally posted by Mark Herschberg:
The only thing to worry about is whether you'll be full time QA, which, in my mind, isn't inherently bad, it jsut has an unfortunate and misplaced stigma associated with it.

Exactly!!! I would just like to add to this - Would you be happy being a full time QA professional?
Since it is a CMM level company, ask them about your job title (s/w engineer, programmer analyst or QA Engineer) and job profile; they should give the necessary details. If it is development + QA work, IMHO you should join w/o much hesitation. (Don't bother abt percentage work, it's usually quite inaccurate, if not incorrect!) If it is exclusive QA or mostly QA stuff, then it entirely depends on your preferences. As far as prospectus or future is concerned, there's enough scope for QA professional; at least here in India (I am guessing you are from India). Dare I say - even better than usual software professionals because experienced QAs are less in number (probably because not many people happily opted for this job profile earlier due to the stigma, as Mark mentioned). If you spend a year or two working for a CMM level company as a QA, your prospectus are very bright, there are certfied QA professionals as well and they are *in demand*!
I suggest you get in touch with a QA friend and ask him for more details. There's a QA professionals circle in my city and they conduct regular seminars, meetings etc. Many consultants are desperate to get a QA with more than 2 years QA exp in a good comp from this circle. If you are from India send me a message, probably I can give you few references of QA friends who can give you more accurate information, and if you can give me the name of the company, probably I might be knowing someone there, if it is in my city.
HTH,
- Manish

[Manish Hatwalne]

I found the URL of the QA forum from my city, here it is -
Software Process Improvement Network (SPIN).
BTW, you can become Project Manager after working for few years as a QA. In my first company they even had a job called QA lead (just like a project leader) for bigger projects to lead a team of QAs, participate in design, development of test plans, planning client releases and making the installables. They even had more chances to visit the client on B1 for installation!!!
- Manish