After having 2 years experience in Software Testing is it worth taking risk to move to Development

Question

I have 2 years of experience in Software Testing. I have worked on both Manual as well as Automation forms of testing. But, this time I have a got a chance in my company to become a Software Developer. I know opportunities like these rarely come in life and I want to make use of it. I could not get any job early in my career in the field of Development that's why I moved into Software Testing.

The risk involved with this is that I don't have any experience in Development and chances are I would be treated as fresher. I am not much aware as to what kind of impact it will have on my Profile. I'm getting confused as the whole 2 years I have spent in Software Testing could go waste.

Answer 1

If they're giving you the opportunity then your fear of lack of experience is probably unfounded. It's your own employer - they probably know you haven't been a developer before, but they're willing to give you the option anyway, so take it!

Answer 2

Take this opportunity with both hands. You have been involved with automated testing so that is similar to development (main point is applying logic). If you are ready to rise up to the occasion then there is no stopping.

Later when you are trying to switch your job, some employers might try to downplay you by cutting your two years of testing experience, but I would say do not think that much about future. Concentrate on your present. If you are a good developer then don't let them downplay you. All the best!!!

Answer 3

It depends on whether you like development or not. Also there is no risk, since if you don't like it, then you can go back to testing since you are not changing jobs. Take the opportunity and go explore the sweet world of development. May the grass will be greener on that side of fence.

Answer 4

Take it ! Software testing is one of the lowest jobs in the software food chains (besides data entry), and will be your only escape from doing that the rest of your life.

As I see it there is absolutely no risk (besides your pride): you do ok in Dev, you win. You don't like Dev or can't do it, go back to testing.