I Became a Software Tester Without a Degree I Software Tester Salary

[@theblackishsouthafrican1550]

South African banks don’t need degrees for tech jobs. It might seem like that when the advertise them but they don’t. Take it from me, with only a Matric from a rural school in Venda. I’ve worked for the green and gold bank (I was called a Test Analyst) then I moved to the blue bank (called Quality Engineer) doing the exact same thing then I went back to the green and gold… I do Manual Testing. I have never written a single line of code in my life.

[@liferesetwithboni]

Interesting

[@TebogoM]

What did you study?

[@leratothokas2575]

Please give us information on how to get hold of this things guys

[@sspssp8538]

ISTQB certificate for manual testing

[@TebogoM]

@@sspssp8538 alright, thank you

[@CedricMathibe]

I started working in one of the biggest FinTech Companies in SA around 2016 as a Monitoring Official with my A+ & N+ Certificate. I taught myself C#, SQL, DevOps, API testing and Automation Software testing Application. I'm curretly working as a QA Test Analyst in the same company and still learning more on testing and acquiring certifications. People like him are my inspiration, 20 certifications are possible 👌👌 He is right, the future is in Automation and API testing!!!!

[@liferesetwithboni]

Congratulations to you too!

[@noblelisa8461]

@@CedricMathibe bro please can i contact you? I really wanna go into tech but I’m limited by where to learn and who to speak to when I need help. Promise I’m not gonna disturb you I just need fundamental

[@CedricMathibe]

@@noblelisa8461 Sure you can contact me, I'm always willing to assist.

[@theblackishsouthafrican1550]

I’d argue that software testing is the easiest way for anyone to get in tech without much (experience, education). It is underrated and people are killing it in there.

[@liferesetwithboni]

Nice

[@kekeletso3958]

I love the honesty....degree just gives u a heads up when it comes to salary, but doesn't guarantee anything....

[@liferesetwithboni]

100%

[@youn-e5v]

This is true

[@theblackishsouthafrican1550]

On the certifications You don’t need 20 of them. I would get the ISTQB, which gives you the principles behind software testing, and then do the practical online courses, there is plenty of them with real life projects which will make you see exactly what goes on with the job. You start speaking the lingo, put that in the cv, a cv that looks like an technologically savvy person, put the lingo in there, put the projects you did on the online courses in that cv and get the job.

[@liferesetwithboni]

Which platforms to use for projects?

[@theblackishsouthafrican1550]

@@liferesetwithboni Udemy.. an instructor on Udemy called Rahul Shetty has a lot of courses in Testing… He teaches with practical examples.

[@paballobernardnkuna2102]

The 20 certifications I got covers most technical aspects of software testing which includes api testing, manual, security, database, automation and performance testing. I know quite number of people with 1-3 istqb certs with no jobs. Because you only learn theory

[@InspiredBy_]

@@theblackishsouthafrican1550 please tell us more about the practical online courses.

[@bonganevilakazi6871]

Could you please tell us more about the practical online courses? You are right about us knowing just theory, I've never seen real life projects in software testing.

[@clementinehonyini9600]

I definitely want to hear his brother's story also

[@liferesetwithboni]

Okay noted

[@InspiredBy_]

4 years later and I also tripled my salary! 😅 I’m planning on going to Automation next.

[@liferesetwithboni]

Nazo!!!!

[@zazzleq6139]

Wena you inspire me so much. I remember you mentioned you do manual testing some months ago.

[@InspiredBy_]

@@zazzleq6139 thank you! ☺️

[@yandisandunge514]

Congratulations🎉 How did you start your journey? I'm also willing to get into tech but I don't know where to start

[@InspiredBy_]

@@yandisandunge514 I have a Mathematical Science degree that I used to apply for a learnership in Systems Development. My host company was impressed with my interview and offered me an opportunity to interview for a Testing position and a Junior Dev position. I asked to interview for the Testing position and it went well so I got the permanent role while doing the learnership part time. My learnership was with Mindworx Academy.

[@rmmcanco1774]

Atleast the guy acknowledge that having a related Degree with experience make a difference , .. He shared information honest . All the Best to Him

[@liferesetwithboni]

🙏

[@THEVIRTUALBACKOFFICELULU]

What an inspirational young man!!!!❤❤❤❤

[@liferesetwithboni]

😊

[@BontleShezi]

For someone who did maths lit, tourism, and geography and being told I will never amount to anything this is empowering. Will definitely try this.

[@liferesetwithboni]

Happy for you!

[@theblackishsouthafrican1550]

With the job titles Test Analyst, Software Quality Engineer, Tester, Quality Analyst, Automation Engineer… it’s all the same thing really… I know it’s not as simple as that but it depends on the Company. All those jobs are to improve the quality of software.. different companies have different titles. I can be called Tester in one company and Quality Engineer in the next company while doing the exact same thing. But we know positions such as Tester to be much Junior, positions with the word Analyst with them would require you to investigate and understand the behaviour of the system.

[@liferesetwithboni]

😎

[@sithembisomthembi2656]

💯 I've also had different titles throughout the years and they were all the same just different titles.

[@liferesetwithboni]

@@sithembisomthembi2656 awesome

[@nduhgee8987]

@@liferesetwithboni bring this guy to the channel

[@liferesetwithboni]

@nduhgee8987 maybe he won't be interested, some people prefer avung conversations like this but I'll ask.

[@ginam9101]

I love the questions you ask Boni💥💥

[@liferesetwithboni]

You are welcome!

[@ofentsecelltick5929]

I applied to study Information Technology diploma at Unisa, I think I'll be going for online courses as well 🤘 this was very informative ❤

[@liferesetwithboni]

Awesome, but also make sure that you finish your diploma !

[@kayleighsizani6634]

Will you be studying 2025. I applied for BSc Computing. Not sure if I made the right choice. Maybe I should have applied for the diploma

[@ofentsecelltick5929]

​@@liferesetwithboni I'll make sure I do that 🤞🏼🙏

[@ofentsecelltick5929]

​@@kayleighsizani6634yeah I applied for 2025, it all depends on your needs, just Google more information on youtube to make sure it aligns with your needs 🎉

[@liferesetwithboni]

@kayleighsizani6634 it's a good choice

[@WellsOfWisdom-lc1dn]

In IT its about what you can do and not about your pile of degrees

[@liferesetwithboni]

🙌

[@molemethapelo1434]

The brother must definitely come pls

[@liferesetwithboni]

🙏

[@obakeng0804]

Great interview, I am an automation tester myself learned everything on udemy since at varsity they only teach you web/application development.

[@missdatjha5513]

And you are doing well? Like securing jobs, etc...

[@nemakhavhanigumani5010]

Don't you have certifications?

[@liferesetwithboni]

Nice

[@obakeng0804]

@@missdatjha5513 yeah the job market is open for those with experience and those who have something to show like a github profile to show what you can do.

[@obakeng0804]

@@nemakhavhanigumani5010 I have ISTQB foundation certificate plus udemy courses.

[@MrLebohangk]

Only barriers in IT would be not having experience, these guys are speaking the truth, the only issue on my side is just getting a breakthrough with my first role , i have IT degree, with few certs in IT but have been a bit struggling with lending my first role , once you are in industry it’s much easier to move around.

[@liferesetwithboni]

What role are you looking for?

[@MrLebohangk]

@@liferesetwithboni SOC analyst, threat monitoring and cybersecurity consultant.. I have been doing a lot of hands on exercises on that , I did business informatics as my undergraduate not a lot of programming is involved, I thought we needed Java 8 to be a tester . Interesting video.

[@liferesetwithboni]

Okay

[@nandisangubelanga4865]

Hey I have a few certificates & only completing my IT post-grad now but because I've been living in Asia, i've worked for International companies remotely. Diversify your job search. Try linkedin job searches within the APAC (Asia Pacific) and EMEA region. Hope that helps. All the best 🎉

[@MrLebohangk]

@@nandisangubelanga4865 interesting will try to do that , was looking at a postgraduate to expand my profile, but I have pushed that for next .

[@Landed.1]

Thank you so much for information it is definitely an interesting career ❤

[@liferesetwithboni]

You're so welcome!

[@MlamuliMagwaza]

Thank you for this channel

[@liferesetwithboni]

It's my pleasure

[@kgoeletsomashimphahlele7832]

Whaaat?? This guy's absolutely mind boggling, ngl!🤣 The more he speaks the more I realise that he occupies every single position that handles analysis in Software🤣

[@liferesetwithboni]

Good or bad thing?

[@katlegomazibuko5194]

I’m currently trying to rack up a afew certificates in IT but I think going for Help desk in IT is a great start too

[@liferesetwithboni]

That's a foundation, I'm happy you are already thinking that way!

[@jay1900]

This is my passion, had it not been for me being shy id come and contribute

[@liferesetwithboni]

✌️

[@katlegoMatlala78]

Great interview, great insight. Loved this!

[@ItumelengMthimkhulu]

My former high school mate 😂❤ Daspoort Secondary School ❤😂

[@liferesetwithboni]

Awesome!

[@jay1900]

Hi Boni, never thought youd touch the software testing space. Well done. Ive been in the space for 12 years now and I must say I'm taken aback by the over simplification and deception in some of the comments. 1- Its possible to become a tester without a degree, but its very unlikely, only people who are generally end users of a particular system succeed 2- Automation Engineer and Test Analyst are two diff things. One is an actual engineer, another is a tester. Ive mentored quite a few people into getting into the space, worked for banks locally and international, consulted and even ran my own company on same so I'm not bluffing. But im excited to see that my people are finally getting into the space. Kudos

[@liferesetwithboni]

👌👌👌

[@NomsLoots]

You sound like a gate keeper. Tell people how to get in instead of knit picking what others have oversimplified. Mentors help not make things seem hard and unattainable.

[@ntokozoguzunene1973]

​@@NomsLoots remember he said, he mentored lot of people 😂😂 hope you get it.....this is business

[@NomsLoots]

@@ntokozoguzunene1973 mmmh… you’re on to something. It’s business indeed 😂♥️

[@odwatshotwana9154]

You just bluffing dude and gatekeeping. don't do that, we have a high employment rate already in our country and companies need people with these skills and wena you're gatekeeping...I've been a QA engineer for close to 5 years without a qualification. Anyone can do this and learn on their own and land a job without qualifications.. don't mislead people

[@theblackishsouthafrican1550]

With what I know now If I had to choose between going to university for 3 years to get a degree and getting practical skills with online learning, I would definitely do the online learning. With luck, you’ll get enough skills and land a job within a year, 3 years is still a long time. Learn the skills, get a job and get the company to pay for you to go get your degree if you need it so much. Of course this is for jobs such as these which are in tech, they do not need a degree. Like Paballo says, companies want you to come in and do the job and start making a difference. It is different for specialised fields such as Law, Medicine etc.

[@liferesetwithboni]

Did you do a degree?

[@theblackishsouthafrican1550]

@@liferesetwithboni I am studying for a degree now, with a bursary from my current employer. I started with Matric only, 8 years ago.

[@liferesetwithboni]

@@theblackishsouthafrican1550 finish that degree, it will help you at a later stage when you want to move to management etc.

[@TumiOteng]

@@theblackishsouthafrican1550 i can tell that you're passionate about this field, and thank you for sharing and you should consider coming to the show once your done with your degree, I'd love to see that

[@liferesetwithboni]

@@theblackishsouthafrican1550 the village is inviting you.

[@jabulilemaseko685]

Thanks for the share, very insightful. In the industry aswell

[@liferesetwithboni]

Through a degree or?

[@vuyodukashe9635]

21:00, valuable info

[@throughmimindseye]

This was helpful, thank you

[@liferesetwithboni]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Ptmjeager]

Hello boss, what was the easiest language for you to learn, was kubernetes, difficult to grasp

[@liferesetwithboni]

He will respond

[@InspiredBy_]

Python.

[@paballobernardnkuna2102]

The easiest language to learn is python, but you will find it difficult to find a job in South Africa doing automation with python as your primary language, I suggest you learn Java or C# Kubernetes is used to connect docker pods together , but you will never need to use it in automation 9/10

[@Ptmjeager]

@@paballobernardnkuna2102 understood, thank yiu kindly for your input.

[@kfutuahnkain86]

Yes, sister let's get his brother into the studio

[@liferesetwithboni]

Okay

[@nangamsombune6348]

😥I wonder if I can still change my career to IT at the age of 34

[@theblackishsouthafrican1550]

On the ISTQB part Most people who are in testing and don’t have the certification most likely attempted it and failed.

[@liferesetwithboni]

What are you implying?

[@bigigor5155]

@@liferesetwithboni Iits not easy. Once you have it you dont need any for getting started.

[@zazzleq6139]

It’s not necessary though😂 it doesn’t give you magical skills

[@Ptmjeager]

do you advice pursuing cloud related roles if you are disinterested from being a full stack developer ?

[@liferesetwithboni]

He will respond

[@mthokozisimyende787]

Shoutnout to your uncle for putting yall on!!

[@liferesetwithboni]

Yes uncle, exposure matters!

[@luthandomdiya949]

Which course certification does he recommend for quality assurance testing ?

[@missdatjha5513]

Lol Boni the way you laugh when they speak on money, nami ngimoyizela kanjalo😃🤣🤣

[@liferesetwithboni]

We want money, guys

[@Ptmjeager]

Hello boss, do you advice pursuing cloud related roles if you are disinterested from being a full stack developer ?

[@liferesetwithboni]

He will respond

[@sindymokoena2434]

So True

[@iamleavingmycountry3897]

People have years of experience working as a self taught, but i have years of experience learning not getting a job and not knowing how to go about finding a job as a self taught can some please mentor me, I real need help I have a lot of information that has no use, everyone thinks I am crazy now coz I am always busy but no outcomes.

[@liferesetwithboni]

Maybe create your own job.

[@zazzleq6139]

Get a professional tester to help you with structured CV. That might be the key.

[@zakheleelton4439]

Kindly share that 10hr video from youtube

[@liferesetwithboni]

Use search bar.

[@ericmkobe4554]

wow 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@simphiwembangeni4460]

Bring the brother man 😊.

[@liferesetwithboni]

Cool

[@letlhogonolopududu]

please also bring his brother

[@liferesetwithboni]

I'll ask him

[@katlegofentse6451]

Hi..I did IT System development I was asking what can I do next

[@liferesetwithboni]

Look for internships

[@zakheleelton8953]

I can use the search bar, but without the exact title or link it's pointless anyways thanks for nothing

[@liferesetwithboni]

And I don't have it too .

[@siyabongafxlovermlumiso7163]

Hi Boni mna my question is that did Babalo pay for all these 20 certifications? if not which ones are paid? another one are those internatinal acredited? for example I do not think SA campanies would hire you if you only have Udemy certifications.....I stand to be corrected. Hence I am raising those questions.

[@liferesetwithboni]

Certifications need experience. No company can hire you with no practical work displayed but when you have experience it doesn't matter where you got your Certifications from

[@kekeletso3958]

When it comes to Robotics, automation is the route to take if you not taking the university route?

[@liferesetwithboni]

I'll let some answer you!

[@zazzleq6139]

You have to look at job descriptions to find what courses you need to study. Employers are the ones who actually decide whether you fit them or not

[@lawrence_np]

Quick question, if you build a system or app and test it. What do those people fall under

[@liferesetwithboni]

Okay

[@zazzleq6139]

Devs. Full stack

[@IanVie]

If you have 20 certificates its good as a degree

[@ontisitsemanyeneng3154]

Better

[@nolithandotrudy7868]

I m crushing the guy😊

[@ThabisoRatlou]

I would loved to understand how he got into big four as those one's often use degree as a first filter.

[@liferesetwithboni]

🙏

[@theblackishsouthafrican1550]

Yes, compared to white and Indians, it is much more difficult to get into tech as a black person without a degree.

[@liferesetwithboni]

Mmm

[@tumiryan]

are you on Linkedin @theblackishsouth? can we connect if you are there pls

[@zazzleq6139]

Yeah, they have a habit of sharing interview answers and plugging each other. We are the only ones who are doing the raw painful method 😅

[@edwintshepomalema9416]

Are Alison certificate recognized in S.A as an official qualification

[@liferesetwithboni]

I don't know how to explain this anymore but Paballo will respond.

[@obakeng0804]

Alison certificates are not recognized in SA, same as udemy certificates but you can always create a github project and when you apply for jobs you use that as a reference to what you know and have done. It will be like a portfolio.

[@xolanijozi8375]

​@@obakeng0804that's correct, with corporate that's the only thing that matters.

[@Ari_Ambe]

Does he have LinkedIn, I would like to connect?

[@liferesetwithboni]

learn.mvelow.co.za check here but I'll also ask him.

[@lindokuhlemdledle144]

Is it possible to start doing at least one of those online short courses at this time of the year?😊 I feel like I'm delaying my self by waiting for next year. 😂 I just want to start now.

[@Ari_Ambe]

@@liferesetwithboni alright thank you🙏

[@zazzleq6139]

@@lindokuhlemdledle144do it

[@jankieaudery147]

Wow

[@liferesetwithboni]

💯

[@ameval-sessions4213]

im curious , dont you guys think software testers will be obsolete in 5 years time?like we have so many auto dev ops tools,and CI/CD tools...(gitlab , Azure dev ops , more) ...why would anyone hire a software tester?

[@liferesetwithboni]

😭

[@paballobernardnkuna2102]

Trust me, we are never getting obsolete. all those tools you just mentioned need to be tested, and we also need testers to maintain those tools. everything needs a human touch as its going to be used by humans.😅

[@liferesetwithboni]

@@paballobernardnkuna2102 absolutely

[@clementinehonyini9600]

What's your advice on what certification I can start with

[@liferesetwithboni]

Okay

[@InspiredBy_]

@@clementinehonyini9600 ISTQB Foundation Level

[@Darr1388]

Also, key things to learn for a interview if you do not have the experience. Learn about test automation, basically learn either Java or C# coding language and how to use it with Selenium. Selenium is used to automate website testing, and also learn about API's and how to do API automation testing. 70% of companies require these skills

[@zazzleq6139]

@@Darr1388oh yeah, hands on is what counts

[@clementinehonyini9600]

Yoh😮

[@liferesetwithboni]

What?

[@nduhgee8987]

Im a high school student and i badly wanna join tech can i please be in contact with him please 🙏🏽

[@liferesetwithboni]

Join tech to do what?

[@nduhgee8987]

@@liferesetwithboni software engineer 🙏🏽

[@jay1900]

​@@nduhgee8987he won't help you with software engineering. He's a tester, not engineer. I advise you pursue compsci to get into engineering

[@katlehohlalele8750]

😂😂😂😂😂as for "what are the parents saying?"

[@liferesetwithboni]

Real question cos I'm also a parent of a 16 year old so I'll be concerned

[@edwintshepomalema9416]

What's your salary bracket 😅

[@liferesetwithboni]

Lol, he can answer

[@AndiswaMthatshana]

Whats his salary range?😂😂😂

[@liferesetwithboni]

We don't ask people for their salary as we have to respect their company policies.

[@tumiryan]

he said you can get 18-22k when you start, and his salary has tripled since he started. so around 40-60k

[@jay1900]

​@@tumiryanI can tell you for free... Starting it's around 13-19. FNB is an exception as they tend to inflate salaries.. Last summer I was recruiting QA engineers and we were offering around 65-100k depending on exp

[@ThatsSUSPICIOUX]

@@jay1900 what makes one stand out when you guys recruit

[@youn-e5v]

Please specify, this salary is only for SMALL COMPANIES. I work in the field and our stipend was no less than 20k​@jay1900