Career path for software tester

[rouge03]

I would like to ask if anyone here would know what the career path looks like for a software tester?

I've been doing software development work for 2 years now. My position/title is software engineer. Aside from software development and maintenance work, I also do QA jobs (based on CMMi-5).

However, I don't see myself or didn't plan to be doing development (mainly coding) for more than 5 -7 years. What I actually want to do is to be more involved in the client-business side of things.

I had an interview last week with a company that I plan to get into. As a software tester. During the interview, the interviewer told me that the career path usually for software testers lead to system/business analyst to management. Whereas staying with development would lead to Technical Lead Architect (or something like that). I prefer the former.

I would just like to verify, through your inputs here, if what she told me was true. Right now I'm still contemplating whether I should take the position as software tester or stay as a developer with my current company.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Loradan]

I think a career path is whatever you make of it. If you show good coding skills, then the company is going gently push (or throw) you into development. If you show strong leadership skills and firm knowledge of business process they will guide you into business analysis. I wouldnt' worry about a "career path" as much as I would focus on the skills that will get you to where you want to be. When you have that, you will be happy and the right position will find you.