Hey everyone! I'm a woman in my mid-20s currently working as a QA tester, mostly doing manual testing. I lack a formal background in computer science—just the basics—and I often find myself confused among a sea of developers and DevOps engineers. It can feel pretty isolating at times.
I've started to learn JavaScript with the hope of transitioning to automated testing, but I've realized there's a lot more to it than just JS. I'm hearing terms like Docker, APIs, webhooks, and Kubernetes thrown around, and it's honestly overwhelming. It feels like there's a never-ending amount to learn, and sometimes I question if I am smart enough to keep up, especially since math isn't my strong suit. I also worry about AI taking over jobs and if it's even worth investing time in this.
Could anyone give me some advice on where to begin? What would you suggest I focus on to build a solid understanding of programming and computer science basics?
6 Answers
Don't stress too much about AI—it’s not taking over just yet! Once you get a grip on things, it’s clear that AI can’t replace the human touch in development. Keep learning step by step; mastering frontend basics and then moving to backend concepts like APIs is a solid plan. Lean on resources like online courses or coding challenges to pave your way while building projects—it's all part of a bigger picture! Good luck!
I'd recommend starting with a solid grounding in the basics. A great read is 'Computer Science Distilled.' It simplifies some of the key concepts you'll encounter. This will help you gain a better overall understanding and make the more complex topics a bit less daunting!
Starting where you are makes total sense! Since you're working as a QA tester, it might be best to first focus on automating UI tests and directly applying JavaScript. Try to replicate the manual processes you're already familiar with. Forget the more complex DevOps stuff for now, like Kubernetes and webhooks. Just hone your JavaScript skills first; it's really important to get comfortable with the basics before you dive deeper. Once you're confident there, then you can explore APIs and maybe take on Docker as well! Collab with your team too—they can be a great resource!
Totally get where you're coming from. The tech world is vast and it can feel like you need to learn everything at once. The truth is, you can't know it all. Instead, try building a simple full-stack app on something like AWS to give you hands-on experience. As you go, you'll naturally encounter topics like APIs and Docker. Accept that it's a journey, and it’s okay to not know everything immediately.
I think focusing on what directly relates to your job will pay off more than trying to learn everything at once. Learning about REST, database basics, and starting with your language choice will build your confidence. Save the deep dives into frameworks and configurations for later. Just keep it relevant to your automation goals for now! It's all about incremental learning, so you're definitely on the right track.
That feeling is totally normal! I went through similar phases. My advice is to break your learning into smaller, achievable goals. Start with JavaScript and possibly look into a course on automated testing with Playwright or Selenium. It makes the transition smoother and more manageable! And don't let worries about AI hold you back—focus on absorbing what you can and enjoy the learning process. You'll find your rhythm!

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