Software/Application Tester Review

As a software tester my role comes with many different responsibilities, but the main recurring work I do on a day to day basis includes; feature testing, this includes the delivery of incoming feature/functionalities to the software I am working on, from creating and reviewing test plans, to writing testing payloads that will be used to test specific user stories and functionality. I also perform regression testing when there is a new version of the software or when change requests come in from the client, this is to ensure that any new functionalities that have been introduced have not broken any that were previously implemented; API testing and live service testing are also tasks that fall within my remit of software testing, but are not as common as those previously mentioned.

My programme is quite simple, which is by design, and it enables it to be very well structured. Each module lasts 6 weeks, and each module has 3 assignments, 1 that is a practice assignment and doesn't count towards your final grade, and 2 assignments - either only coursework or coursework and an exam - that contribute towards your final mark in the module. At the end of each year the module grades make up your final result. All essential and relevant information for each module is provided to us well in advance and there is sufficient space in between submission deadlines to ensure you have enough time.

IBM and the Foundation team provide any and all help that you require. Whether its guidance within the programme, assistance when it comes to requesting study materials, or representing myself when I go for promotion cases. My employer and manager Charlotte do whatever they can to help me when I need.

My training provider provides me with great amounts of support, each module has dedicated courses on the university portal, with all the contact information for any lecturer(s), recommended study materials, case studies and practice assignments and quizzes throughout each module. My provider also has quarterly meetings with myself and my IBM manager to ensure that everything is going well, and see if I need any help.

I believe that I have been able to make great progress throughout my career at IBM thanks to the skills and experience I have gained through my apprenticeship(s). I am able to apply what I've learned about the software development and software testing lifecycles nearly every day in my role. During my apprenticeships I have also improved my soft skills such as communication and time management, which have helped me not only at work but in general.

Yes

Since joining in June of 2021, I have done nothing but progress, whether it is in my role as a tester, becoming subject matter experts in various aspects of the work we do. Or in my career at IBM in general, I have gone through promotions (and regular pay rises!), I have completed numerous courses for FREE that would usually be very expensive, things that aren't even related to my role, such as Web Development, Game Development, Digital Art courses, and also other specific courses for my role, such as have access to various free courses on the Cucumber testing framework, which is what we use to test within the project side. IBM provides you with unlimited resources to elevate yourself and propel your career forwards.