career development

So You Want to Go to Mars? NASA Is Recruiting Astronauts

Did watching Star Wars: The Force Awakens get you thinking about a career exploring the universe? NASA is on a mission to Mars and is currently accepting applications for the next class of astronauts through February 18, 2016.

The Potential Problem with Hiring Smart PeopleBelieve it or not, intelligence is not always an asset; it can breed hubris, excessive self-confidence, and a superiority complex. Therefore, when hiring, it's important to seek people who exhibit humility about their abilities, and to weed out the know-it-alls who want to be the one-stop decision-maker.
How DevOps Is Making Testers EvolveAs the streamlined DevOps movement catches on, more and more companies are abandoning “traditional testers” and getting software developers to test. Testers are not becoming obsolete—but it means testers have to evolve and start ensuring that quality is baked in. Adam Auerbach details how they need to change.
Testing Isn't Dead, but Agile Has Changed It for Good

The adoption of agile—which has taken place within both small teams and massive organizations—has changed the tester’s role. However, that doesn’t mean it’s time for testers to pack up their things and sulk out the door. The “testing is dead” narrative doesn’t tell the whole story.

The Evolution of a Product OwnerThe practical application of agile in organizations is still difficult. The role of product owner has changed, and today a PO has to be tech-savvy, aware of the market, and accountable for execution, innovation, and quality. Tim Wise shows the evolution of a product owner and details what it should be now.
Making Time for ReflectionHow often do you reflect on your career or life? It can be difficult to examine how you work and live to confirm that you are where you want to be. But using some of the same questions and techniques employed in agile retrospectives can help you evaluate your personal choices, too—and brainstorm ideas.
Where Are All the Great Software Testers?It can be difficult to find great software testers for senior roles; often, the people you want to hire are the ones who are already gainfully employed. Michael Sowers gives his suggestions for identifying qualified and experienced software engineers who can deliver on senior testing role accountabilities.
Self-Improvement, or How to Work Up to Your PotentialHave you ever been told you have “a lot of potential”? It's meant as a compliment, but it can be a little insulting if you feel you're already working up to your potential. Johanna Rothman shares the steps she took to gather data, assess her work, and discover whether she's working up to her full potential.