Tech Vocational Guidance
Free vocational guidance course in tech, unique in terms of accuracy and amount of feedback
«Should You Become a QA-engineer?»
from experts with international tech experience |
«Should You Become a QA-engineer?»
from experts with international tech experience |
- Is QA really what I want to do?
- Will I be able to graduate, find a job in tech and be able to handle it?
- Will I enjoy working as a QA? Will I earn good money? Maybe I should go into analytics or product management instead?
Are you asking yourself these questions?
If so, you are right to be skeptical. In the current market, fewer than 30% of students in average tech bootcamps successfully secure industry employment.
Be wary of blanket marketing claims such as “anyone can work in tech” or “QA engineering is easily mastered.”
Be wary of blanket marketing claims such as “anyone can work in tech” or “QA engineering is easily mastered.”
Landing pages for many tech bootcamps frequently tout statistics like, “Over 90% of our graduates land jobs in tech!”
Unfortunately, these claims are always far from the truth.
Unfortunately, these claims are always far from the truth.
Where are the stats from?
Let’s take a look at the actual employment statistics.
To do this, we’ll need to dig a little deeper into the landing pages.
Most tech courses don’t publish detailed employment statistics. They simply state that they have helped a certain number of students find jobs. It’s impossible to verify this information.
But some details can still be found:
To do this, we’ll need to dig a little deeper into the landing pages.
Most tech courses don’t publish detailed employment statistics. They simply state that they have helped a certain number of students find jobs. It’s impossible to verify this information.
But some details can still be found:
Research by Business Insider on employment after tech bootcamps
According to the research, the employment rate among tech bootcamps students is around 30%.
According to the research, the employment rate among tech bootcamps students is around 30%.
Unconfirmed information from other schools
QA Studio reports that 74% of all enrolled students graduate.
Of these 74%, 38% find a job.
Thus, it is claimed that 74%*38%=28% of all enrolled students find a job in tech.
QA Studio reports that 74% of all enrolled students graduate.
Of these 74%, 38% find a job.
Thus, it is claimed that 74%*38%=28% of all enrolled students find a job in tech.
Consider the math: in an average cohort of 100 students, more than 80 will likely fail to see a return on their educational investment.
Why so few?
- Even after university education, only 36% of all initial enrollees find jobsEven within traditional university systems, the numbers are sobering. While many students invest significant time and tuition, only 36% of those who initially enroll ultimately secure full-time employment in their field.
If you have a higher education degree, it’s unlikely that more than half of your fellow students are currently working in their field of study. Yet many of them worked hard to secure a government-funded spot or paid thousands of dollars for their education.
If we look at the American education market, 62.2% of students graduate.
Of those who graduate, 57.2% find full-time jobs.
This means that, on average, 62.2%*57.2% = 36% of all students who enroll end up with full-time jobs.
Can an average online course show better results? Hardly. - The profession of a QA engineer does not suit everyoneJust as not everyone is cut out to be a doctor, a chemist, or a pilot, QA engineering isn't for everyone. Yet, many courses promise that “QA is easy” and that anyone who pays can become a QA engineer.
The absence of entrance exams for these courses can be misleading, creating the impression that learning a technical specialty is easy. - Ineffective trainingEmployers aren't looking for passive learners; they want people who can get the job done. Most online courses rely heavily on lectures. While you might gain some knowledge this way, you won't necessarily acquire the practical skills that employers actually need.
This is exactly why it is so difficult to find a job after completing courses based primarily on passive listening to webinars.
Where do these claims of "over 90% job placement" actually originate?
This is either just advertising or a clever manipulation of course statistics. The most common tactic is to calculate employment rates based solely on the graduating cohort rather than the total number of students who initially enrolled in the program.
This is either just advertising or a clever manipulation of course statistics. The most common tactic is to calculate employment rates based solely on the graduating cohort rather than the total number of students who initially enrolled in the program.
Prerequisites for success and avoiding common pitfalls:
- Understanding how your specific strengths, weaknesses, and professional background influence your progress through the arduous journey of multi-month training and subsequent job searching. This is essential to maintaining momentum and avoiding attrition.
- Mastering core technical QA skills, cultivating a "QA Mindset," and ensuring your psychological profile is aligned with the demands of the role.
- Aligning your professional expectations with real-world industry demands to ensure career satisfaction and longevity.
What defines a "QA’s mindset"?
1. Analytical approach: the ability to identify patterns, analyze data, and establish clear cause-and-effect relationships.
2. System thinking: the ability to visualize the "big picture" and understand how localized changes propagate across a complex system.
But also:
3. Attention to detail: meticulousness in identifying errors and inconsistencies within software architecture.
4. Patience and persistence: the ability to handle repetitive workflows and persevere through complex, time-consuming problem-solving.
But also:
5. Creative thinking: the ability to think beyond standard test cases to anticipate unusual usage patterns and potential "edge cases" that lead to failure.
6. Communication skills: the ability to articulate technical issues clearly to cross-functional stakeholders, including developers and project managers.
Finally:
7. Focus on quality: an unwavering commitment to product excellence and a clear understanding of its impact on the end user.
As you can see, these attributes are multifaceted and often require a unique professional profile.
2. System thinking: the ability to visualize the "big picture" and understand how localized changes propagate across a complex system.
But also:
3. Attention to detail: meticulousness in identifying errors and inconsistencies within software architecture.
4. Patience and persistence: the ability to handle repetitive workflows and persevere through complex, time-consuming problem-solving.
But also:
5. Creative thinking: the ability to think beyond standard test cases to anticipate unusual usage patterns and potential "edge cases" that lead to failure.
6. Communication skills: the ability to articulate technical issues clearly to cross-functional stakeholders, including developers and project managers.
Finally:
7. Focus on quality: an unwavering commitment to product excellence and a clear understanding of its impact on the end user.
As you can see, these attributes are multifaceted and often require a unique professional profile.
Just as not everyone can become a doctor, not everyone can become a QA engineer
Before investing your time in training and in an arduous job search, ensure that this path truly aligns with your professional aptitude.
There are three ways to find out which tech profession is the right match for you.
One of them is risky (although popular).
Another way, a tech career test, will always give an answer that benefits its creators, not you.
The third way will help you find the answer to the question “is the profession of a QA right for me,” though it requires more than a 15-minute commitment.
There are three ways to find out which tech profession is the right match for you.
One of them is risky (although popular).
Another way, a tech career test, will always give an answer that benefits its creators, not you.
The third way will help you find the answer to the question “is the profession of a QA right for me,” though it requires more than a 15-minute commitment.
Many individuals enroll in courses with the mindset of "we’ll see what happens." As the aforementioned employment statistics indicate, more than half of these students ultimately waste both time and capital. They either abandon their studies or their job search fails to yield an offer.
Pivoting your career based solely on marketing slogans or casual advice is rarely the optimal strategy, as QA engineering—like any specialized discipline—is not for everyone, despite what course providers may claim.
Pivoting your career based solely on marketing slogans or casual advice is rarely the optimal strategy, as QA engineering—like any specialized discipline—is not for everyone, despite what course providers may claim.
It stands to reason that spending an hour on diagnostic testing is a prudent first step to understanding your career fit.
Classic vocational guidance tests
For example, the Holland Code (RIASEC) Test (it's free, no registration required) determines personality type based on 6 career orientations:
• Realistic—practical activities, technical skills, hands-on work
• Investigative—analysis, research, science
• Artistic—creativity, art
• Social—helping people, education, communication
• Enterprising—business, management, leadership
• Conventional—working with data, documents, and structures
Specific tech vocational guidance tests
• Test from Epam, a large custom software manufacturer (it's free, no registration required
• Test from Teal (it's free; a registration is required)
Classic vocational guidance tests
For example, the Holland Code (RIASEC) Test (it's free, no registration required) determines personality type based on 6 career orientations:
• Realistic—practical activities, technical skills, hands-on work
• Investigative—analysis, research, science
• Artistic—creativity, art
• Social—helping people, education, communication
• Enterprising—business, management, leadership
• Conventional—working with data, documents, and structures
Specific tech vocational guidance tests
• Test from Epam, a large custom software manufacturer (it's free, no registration required
• Test from Teal (it's free; a registration is required)
Online career guidance tests are imperfect
We have thoroughly vetted existing career guidance tests and found no assessment that meets our professional standards or that we could confidently recommend to applicants.
Traditional vocational assessments are often too broad. They may identify a general aptitude for technology but fail to isolate the nuances required for specific disciplines. Furthermore, specialized tech assessments have suggested that we—specialists with 10–20 years of successful experience in QA—pursue roles in Front-End Development or DevOps before finally suggesting QA engineering.
Why is there such a disconnect?
Traditional vocational assessments are often too broad. They may identify a general aptitude for technology but fail to isolate the nuances required for specific disciplines. Furthermore, specialized tech assessments have suggested that we—specialists with 10–20 years of successful experience in QA—pursue roles in Front-End Development or DevOps before finally suggesting QA engineering.
Why is there such a disconnect?
QA engineer is a specific specialty and it stands a bit apart from other tech professions
The role requires a constant balance between software interaction, technical documentation, and cross-functional communication. Success demands both high-level systems thinking and meticulous attention to detail. Furthermore, it necessitates a blend of creative problem-solving and the ability to execute repetitive tasks.
This hybrid profile often confuses standard vocational assessment algorithms, leading to inaccurate career recommendations.
This hybrid profile often confuses standard vocational assessment algorithms, leading to inaccurate career recommendations.
Most career guidance assessments are designed for students, not adult professionals
What distinguishes an adult from a student? Life and professional experience—which is frequently a significant asset in a QA engineering role.
Unfortunately, automated tests fail to account for an individual’s unique professional background or their specific set of strengths and weaknesses.
Furthermore, during standardized testing, respondents often provide "socially desirable" responses, prioritizing aspirational strengths over demonstrated competencies. However, a manual, expert-led analysis of your work history can effectively identify your authentic professional strengths.
Unfortunately, automated tests fail to account for an individual’s unique professional background or their specific set of strengths and weaknesses.
Furthermore, during standardized testing, respondents often provide "socially desirable" responses, prioritizing aspirational strengths over demonstrated competencies. However, a manual, expert-led analysis of your work history can effectively identify your authentic professional strengths.
No test will help you to find out whether you have the aptitude for being a QA alongside with the desire to become one
Assessing this requires hands-on experience with specialized QA challenges—a component absent from classic career guidance tools due to their inherent limitations. Existing technical career assessments also fail to address these requirements.
Effective QA training is not about selecting the correct answer from a list of options. It involves complex, real-world tasks that require critical thinking and the ability to evaluate multiple viable solutions, mirroring the environment you would encounter on an actual project.
Effective QA training is not about selecting the correct answer from a list of options. It involves complex, real-world tasks that require critical thinking and the ability to evaluate multiple viable solutions, mirroring the environment you would encounter on an actual project.
... and some benefit their creators rather than you
❌ Test this hypothesis: Select only the first answer option for every question in a standard vocational guidance test (for example, test from Teal).
Regardless of your actual responses, the result will invariably steer you toward a tech role—conveniently, one that the platform itself offers to teach.
Regardless of your actual responses, the result will invariably steer you toward a tech role—conveniently, one that the platform itself offers to teach.
The vocational guidance course is not as superficial as online tests and it corrects their shortcomings.
- "Is QA something I really want to do?"❌ Standard tests will always provide a broad range of "viable" tech career paths.
✅ "Should You Become a QA-engineer?" operates on the premise that tech is not a universal career fit. Only 10% of participants receive a recommendation to pursue a role in QA or the broader tech sector. - "Will I be able to graduate, find a job and manage it?"❌ Regular tests help you understand what you want.
They are ineffective at predicting your ability to master the curriculum or succeed in a professional role.
✅ "Should You Become a QA-engineer?" identifies whether you possess a true "QA Mindset."
This evaluation is conducted via practical assignments reviewed by mentors with 10+ years of industry experience, alongside a live, team-based QA workshop. - "Will I enjoy working as a QA and will I earn enough money and find satisfaction in my work?"❌ Standard tests fail to account for your unique professional background. You already possess a work history that defines which tasks engage you and which lead to professional burnout. Furthermore, your internal motivation, core competencies, and professional expectations directly determine your long-term earning potential.
✅ Our "Should You Become a QA-engineer?" course includes a one-on-one vocational consultation where a mentor with 20+ years of QA experience analyzes your non-technical work history—identifying how individuals from fields such as law, logistics, and education often find the transition to QA highly intuitive. Your mentor will help you evaluate your decision-making process.
You will ultimately gain clarity on whether your expectations are realistic and whether a career in QA will provide both professional fulfillment and financial stability.
This is because the vast majority of commercial QA schools operate on an "over-enrollment" model. They anticipate that candidates who lack the requisite aptitude will naturally attrit during the program. Consequently, this model results in an attrition rate affecting approximately 50% of every cohort.
- How most QA schools operate (commercial approach)To maximize profit margins, many bootcamps over-enroll, placing 50, 100, or even 200+ students in a single cohort.
However, an instructor can only provide high-quality mentorship to a maximum of 20 students. Consequently, the lead instructor is relegated to lecturing, while administrative staff or junior teaching assistants handle support and grading—frequently involving individuals with little to no professional experience in QA engineering.
ThThis lack of direct access to seasoned expertise significantly degrades the educational experience, contributing to attrition rates as high as 50%.
Recognizing these high dropout rates, these programs adopt an aggressive "volume-first" enrollment strategy to offset the loss of students. - How things are done with a professional approach to QA educationIn a professional QA training environment, the primary mentor facilitates live sessions, provides code reviews, and delivers personalized feedback to a cohort limited to 15 students. This ensures that the unique learning style of each student is accounted for.
This mirrors a real-world apprenticeship model, where project leads mentor junior and mid-level engineers.
Because the number of seats per cohort is strictly limited, we cannot rely on an "over-enrollment" buffer. Furthermore, because the services of an experienced mentor are high-value, if a student decides halfway through that QA is not the right career path, the school incurs a financial loss.
At Mentorpiece, we decided to introduce introductory vocational guidance when only 5 out of 11 students in the 2022.4 study group made it to the end of the course. In other words, 55% of the students dropped out.
In response, we implemented a mandatory introductory vocational guidance course. A year of utilizing this screening process has yielded significant results: program completion rates now exceed 90%.
Honest and precise
Many large educational platforms offer generic tech career assessments designed to steer you toward one of their own programs, regardless of your actual aptitude.
Our approach is different: this vocational guidance course is not designed to tell you what you want to hear, nor is it calibrated to benefit our bottom line. Our goal is objective truth. Only 10% of participants complete this assessment with a direct recommendation from our Chief Mentor to pursue a career in the tech industry.
Our approach is different: this vocational guidance course is not designed to tell you what you want to hear, nor is it calibrated to benefit our bottom line. Our goal is objective truth. Only 10% of participants complete this assessment with a direct recommendation from our Chief Mentor to pursue a career in the tech industry.
Lilia Urmazova
QA-engineer since 2001, QA-mentor—since 2004.
• Worked in Star Software, Exigen Services, Grid Dynamics, on numerous international tech projects on roles such as manual QA engineer, automated QA engineer, QA lead, AI QA lead, QA manager.
• QA lead-mentor of internships in base86 🇺🇸, Jobsolv 🇺🇸, SMTP 🇨🇦
• Taught at the training center Luxoft, participated in the creation of a corporate training center Grid Dynamics.
• Higher education:
- Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University (software development)
- Saint Petersburg State University (applied linguistics, Natural Language Processing)
Learn more.
• Worked in Star Software, Exigen Services, Grid Dynamics, on numerous international tech projects on roles such as manual QA engineer, automated QA engineer, QA lead, AI QA lead, QA manager.
• QA lead-mentor of internships in base86 🇺🇸, Jobsolv 🇺🇸, SMTP 🇨🇦
• Taught at the training center Luxoft, participated in the creation of a corporate training center Grid Dynamics.
• Higher education:
- Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University (software development)
- Saint Petersburg State University (applied linguistics, Natural Language Processing)
Learn more.
Every year, Lilia tracks the progress of around 300 applicants, students and graduates of the QA course.
What is extremely important for a high-quality result is that the fate of each person who has successfully completed vocational guidance course is tracked. This is partly because enrollment in a professional QA course is only possible if vocational guidance is positive. Such feedback allows for improved accuracy.
What is extremely important for a high-quality result is that the fate of each person who has successfully completed vocational guidance course is tracked. This is partly because enrollment in a professional QA course is only possible if vocational guidance is positive. Such feedback allows for improved accuracy.
Lilia also leads a unique QA course:
Seeing the high demand for career guidance on the professional QA course, we decided to also offer this opportunity to those who do not plan to pursue professional QA education.
Unique in terms of feedback volume
The vocational guidance course can be completed in just 12 hours, but it is highly intensive:
✓ Homework assignments on understanding the profession with live, detailed feedback.
✓ Solving tech problems on a team Zoom call, just like on a real tech project.
✓ Individual vocational guidance interview on tech prospects with a lead mentor with 20+ years of QA experience.
As a result, you will receive detailed recommendations on the tech specialty that is right for you (or a recommendation not to focus on an tech career for the moment).
✓ Homework assignments on understanding the profession with live, detailed feedback.
✓ Solving tech problems on a team Zoom call, just like on a real tech project.
✓ Individual vocational guidance interview on tech prospects with a lead mentor with 20+ years of QA experience.
As a result, you will receive detailed recommendations on the tech specialty that is right for you (or a recommendation not to focus on an tech career for the moment).
Step #1—Let's answer the question: “Is QA something you really want to do?”
Find out how interested you are in QA and how easily you can comprehend technical knowledge.
Start with three training modules from the interactive textbook on the QA profession.
This is followed by three training modules devoted to technical knowledge.
As a result, you will complete six online tests and three homework assignments.
For each completed assignment, you will receive detailed feedback.
How many people proceed further: approximately 50% of applicants.
If you pass all the online tests and score at least 200 points for your homework assignments (the maximum score for one homework assignment is 100 points), you will be able to participate in the screening for a QA's mindset.
Start with three training modules from the interactive textbook on the QA profession.
This is followed by three training modules devoted to technical knowledge.
As a result, you will complete six online tests and three homework assignments.
For each completed assignment, you will receive detailed feedback.
How many people proceed further: approximately 50% of applicants.
If you pass all the online tests and score at least 200 points for your homework assignments (the maximum score for one homework assignment is 100 points), you will be able to participate in the screening for a QA's mindset.
IMPORTANT
Our curriculum is delivered entirely in text.
This is a deliberate design choice: a career in tech—and specifically in Quality Assurance—requires high proficiency in reading, interpreting, and analyzing technical documentation, including requirements, specifications, and project correspondence.
In a professional QA role, you will rarely rely on video content. By training in a text-intensive environment, you develop the critical reading skills and technical literacy required to thrive on an actual project.
This is a deliberate design choice: a career in tech—and specifically in Quality Assurance—requires high proficiency in reading, interpreting, and analyzing technical documentation, including requirements, specifications, and project correspondence.
In a professional QA role, you will rarely rely on video content. By training in a text-intensive environment, you develop the critical reading skills and technical literacy required to thrive on an actual project.
Step #2. Seeking an answer to the question: “Will I be able to graduate, find a QA job and cope with it?”
Find out if you have the specific aptitude to study and work as a QA engineer. Engage in QA-mindset screening, which is held as a team workshop.
This is the most favorite stage of many students. Rather than working in isolation, you will join a team workshop to solve technical challenges, mirroring the collaborative environment of a real-world project!
You do not need prior technical knowledge to succeed here. We are not looking for "the correct answer"—we are looking for how you think. Your mentor is evaluating your ability to analyze problems and apply logical, structural reasoning. If you demonstrate a clear, systematic thought process, you will be credited for your approach, even if you arrive at a different conclusion.
How many people proceed further: approximately 80% of those who passed the previous stage.
Did you score 200+ points on three screening tasks? (The maximum score for one task is 100 points). Be 100% sure that your money and time spent on education will not be wasted and that your tech career will really start—take part in an individual interview with an experienced QA mentor.
This is the most favorite stage of many students. Rather than working in isolation, you will join a team workshop to solve technical challenges, mirroring the collaborative environment of a real-world project!
You do not need prior technical knowledge to succeed here. We are not looking for "the correct answer"—we are looking for how you think. Your mentor is evaluating your ability to analyze problems and apply logical, structural reasoning. If you demonstrate a clear, systematic thought process, you will be credited for your approach, even if you arrive at a different conclusion.
How many people proceed further: approximately 80% of those who passed the previous stage.
Did you score 200+ points on three screening tasks? (The maximum score for one task is 100 points). Be 100% sure that your money and time spent on education will not be wasted and that your tech career will really start—take part in an individual interview with an experienced QA mentor.
Step #3. Seeking an answer to the question, “Will I enjoy QA job and is it going to bring me good money? Maybe I should go into analytics or product management instead?"
Step #3: Individual career guidance from a QA mentor with 20+ years of experience in QA
Be 100% sure that your money and time spent on education will not be wasted and that your tech career will truly take off.
Find out:
• To what extent do your personal motivation, core strengths, professional goals, and expectations of the role align with the reality of the industry?
• Will a career in Quality Assurance genuinely satisfy your interests and professional drivers?
• Is QA the right path to maximize your income potential, or would your specific skillset be better leveraged in a different technical specialty?
In half an hour, I will ask you my questions and answer any questions you may have.
My task is to use the results of the previous stages and interviews to understand whether your strengths, goals and ideas about QA match reality or not.
To participate in individual vocational guidance, we will need your resume to review your previous non-tech experience.
How many people proceed further: approximately 60% of those who passed the previous stage.
Find out:
• To what extent do your personal motivation, core strengths, professional goals, and expectations of the role align with the reality of the industry?
• Will a career in Quality Assurance genuinely satisfy your interests and professional drivers?
• Is QA the right path to maximize your income potential, or would your specific skillset be better leveraged in a different technical specialty?
In half an hour, I will ask you my questions and answer any questions you may have.
My task is to use the results of the previous stages and interviews to understand whether your strengths, goals and ideas about QA match reality or not.
To participate in individual vocational guidance, we will need your resume to review your previous non-tech experience.
How many people proceed further: approximately 60% of those who passed the previous stage.
And finally:
Doubts cast aside!
Recommendation received from the chief QA mentor.
Possible feedback options:
• "QA is recommended—you can start studying"
• "QA is ok (but you could also try yourself in web-development)"
• "Web-development is recommended"
• "Another tech job is recommended (product/analyst/manager/other)"
• "There is a doubt: you need to do an extra task"
• "It is recommended not to concentrate on a tech career right now"
You will receive a detailed assessment of your hard and soft skills and whether they are sufficient for working in QA. You will also learn what challenges you may face during your education and future career.
If QA isn't right for you but you have potential in tech, I will suggest a more suitable tech specialty.
Possible feedback options:
• "QA is recommended—you can start studying"
• "QA is ok (but you could also try yourself in web-development)"
• "Web-development is recommended"
• "Another tech job is recommended (product/analyst/manager/other)"
• "There is a doubt: you need to do an extra task"
• "It is recommended not to concentrate on a tech career right now"
You will receive a detailed assessment of your hard and soft skills and whether they are sufficient for working in QA. You will also learn what challenges you may face during your education and future career.
If QA isn't right for you but you have potential in tech, I will suggest a more suitable tech specialty.
✓ Found out that QA isn't for you? Congratulations—you just saved yourself six months of your life and a lot of money on unneeded education! In this case, you haven't lost anything yet and can look into other specialties.
✓ Successfully completed the vocational guidance course? Now you can be totally sure that QA is your thing. You can start learning this profession. You won't waste your time, you'll get a job that's perfect for you and you'll turn a new page in your life!
Successful completion of this vocational guidance course is mandatory for enrollment in a professional QA course "Manual Testing from Scratch".
✓ Successfully completed the vocational guidance course? Now you can be totally sure that QA is your thing. You can start learning this profession. You won't waste your time, you'll get a job that's perfect for you and you'll turn a new page in your life!
Successful completion of this vocational guidance course is mandatory for enrollment in a professional QA course "Manual Testing from Scratch".
Nataliya: «Different from the “tests” and “interviews” of other training platforms»
— Semyon: «It will save you a lot of time and money in the future»
— Aleksandr: «The course surprised me. I thought that in the end they would drag me into a paid course»
— Tatyana: «There were doubts that the free course would include group online screening and a personal meeting with a mentor»
— Aleksandr: «The course surprised me. I thought that in the end they would drag me into a paid course»
— Tatyana: «There were doubts that the free course would include group online screening and a personal meeting with a mentor»
Some of the student reviews on studying at Mentorpiece:
Interesting, useful, and relevant.
The course was quite a surprise; I thought that in the end they would try to get me to take QA manual courses. But, surprisingly, they didn't. Instead, they gave an objective assessment and talked about many nuances of the modern QA market. The course itself is logical and well-structured.
The course was quite a surprise; I thought that in the end they would try to get me to take QA manual courses. But, surprisingly, they didn't. Instead, they gave an objective assessment and talked about many nuances of the modern QA market. The course itself is logical and well-structured.
I took a vocational guidance course, which was free of charge.
I should start by saying that I already have experience in QA, but completing the vocational guidance course was a prerequisite for enrolling in the QA course itself. I was pleasantly surprised because it gave me another opportunity to look at things from the outside and think about whether I was on the right track and whether I wanted to continue in this direction.
And for people with no experience in QA, I think it's a real godsend! Completing the assignments also tests your overall motivation, as people who are too lazy or uninterested are unlikely to spend time on it.
The last stage was a phone call with mentor Lilia. She seemed pleasant to talk to, asked about my motivation, and answered my questions.
So I highly recommend it, especially since the course is free. And I'm going to continue with the QA course!
I should start by saying that I already have experience in QA, but completing the vocational guidance course was a prerequisite for enrolling in the QA course itself. I was pleasantly surprised because it gave me another opportunity to look at things from the outside and think about whether I was on the right track and whether I wanted to continue in this direction.
And for people with no experience in QA, I think it's a real godsend! Completing the assignments also tests your overall motivation, as people who are too lazy or uninterested are unlikely to spend time on it.
The last stage was a phone call with mentor Lilia. She seemed pleasant to talk to, asked about my motivation, and answered my questions.
So I highly recommend it, especially since the course is free. And I'm going to continue with the QA course!
I took a vocational guidance course from Mentorpiece. I liked everything about it. My inner questions were answered, and I got rid of my doubts.
The program is brilliantly designed. The profession is complex, specific, and unique—you need to understand whether it's right for you or not. I would like to say a few words about the skill level of the mentors. They are not only professionals in their field, but also good psychologists, people who want to figure things out, understand, and ultimately meet you halfway!
10 out of 10 points. I very rarely see such a high-quality product... well thought out... competent... useful!
Colleagues, thank you very much for your work and for your time.
The program is brilliantly designed. The profession is complex, specific, and unique—you need to understand whether it's right for you or not. I would like to say a few words about the skill level of the mentors. They are not only professionals in their field, but also good psychologists, people who want to figure things out, understand, and ultimately meet you halfway!
10 out of 10 points. I very rarely see such a high-quality product... well thought out... competent... useful!
Colleagues, thank you very much for your work and for your time.
About completing the vocational guidance course for QA engineers
9, not 10, because I wouldn't recommend it to everyone, only to those who are interested in working in tech in some capacity.
And I've already told one person about it.
I liked that there was a lot of introductory information for technical specialties in general, which gives an overall idea of software development in tech, and in particular about the work of a QA engineer, albeit without details, but there are other materials on the website for that.
Problems that arose in the first stage:
The requirements in the assignments were not entirely clear, with sometimes ambiguous wording.
In the second stage, I liked the fact that there were real-time solutions to basic tester tasks. It was interesting to work in groups and listen to the supervisor's explanations on how to solve certain issues.
The third stage's list of questions made me wonder whether it is necessary to do everything on my own, rather than just getting feedback from the mentor.
Overall, I really liked it.
9, not 10, because I wouldn't recommend it to everyone, only to those who are interested in working in tech in some capacity.
And I've already told one person about it.
I liked that there was a lot of introductory information for technical specialties in general, which gives an overall idea of software development in tech, and in particular about the work of a QA engineer, albeit without details, but there are other materials on the website for that.
Problems that arose in the first stage:
The requirements in the assignments were not entirely clear, with sometimes ambiguous wording.
In the second stage, I liked the fact that there were real-time solutions to basic tester tasks. It was interesting to work in groups and listen to the supervisor's explanations on how to solve certain issues.
The third stage's list of questions made me wonder whether it is necessary to do everything on my own, rather than just getting feedback from the mentor.
Overall, I really liked it.
An excellent course that allows you to better understand both the QA profession and yourself. Ultimately, you will find the answer to the question of whether it is worth spending your time, energy, and money on further training. First and foremost, the course helps you take a look at yourself from the outside and analyze your motivation. Are you really interested in testing? Is this profession right for you? Do you have the qualities needed to be a good specialist in this field? Well, practical assignments allow you to “get a feel” for the profession and also draw some conclusions for yourself.
I recommend this course to anyone who is serious about choosing a new profession and further education.
I recommend this course to anyone who is serious about choosing a new profession and further education.
Vocational guidance is awesome
The first two stages are very helpful in figuring out whether QA is right for a person and allow them to try a little testing on their own. This is very good, especially for those transitioning to QA from other fields. This is not exactly my case, but if I had had a similar course when I was just starting to learn about testing, it would have been a little easier for me.
The last stage, with individual vocational guidance, was extremely useful to me, as it helped me understand what was going on with my current skills, think about where else I could apply them, whether it was worth staying in QA, deepening my knowledge and growing as a professional in this field, or whether my abilities were more suited to related fields.
I had a lot of doubts about everything related to professional development, and individual vocational guidance helped me decide what to do with my experience and abilities.
The first two stages are very helpful in figuring out whether QA is right for a person and allow them to try a little testing on their own. This is very good, especially for those transitioning to QA from other fields. This is not exactly my case, but if I had had a similar course when I was just starting to learn about testing, it would have been a little easier for me.
The last stage, with individual vocational guidance, was extremely useful to me, as it helped me understand what was going on with my current skills, think about where else I could apply them, whether it was worth staying in QA, deepening my knowledge and growing as a professional in this field, or whether my abilities were more suited to related fields.
I had a lot of doubts about everything related to professional development, and individual vocational guidance helped me decide what to do with my experience and abilities.
Let me put it this way: if you've decided to switch careers to QA, you should definitely check out this course. It will really help you decide whether it's worth it or not. I haven't seen anything like it on other platforms.
A useful course. Although it is called a “vocational guidance course,” it is not at all like various career guidance tests. Here, you have to make an effort, think, and set aside time to complete the assignments. To be honest, I had doubts that a free course would include group online screening and a personal meeting with a mentor, but they were unfounded. I completed all three stages and have no regrets. I definitely recommend signing up to anyone who is unsure.
I am very glad that I took this vocational guidance course, which, unlike the “tests” and “interviews” from other training platforms, gives you the opportunity to objectively assess, first, whether you have the skills to work as a QA engineer, secondly, in the process of solving sample tasks, how interested you are in doing this, and thirdly, to understand the approximate workload during your studies. And the icing on the cake, if you get to an individual consultation with an experienced QA, is to decide whether to go or not, or to go, but later.
To be accepted as a student in Mentorpiece’s Manual QA course, you have to go through the career orientation process!
This is a significant event in itself—basically a real exam with test assignments, group work, and an individual interview.
The staff are exceptionally friendly and understanding, and it’s very comfortable interacting with them.
If they’re this thorough in their selection process, just imagine how thorough they are in their teaching 🙈
I passed the vocational guidance and started the QA course.
It seems like I made the right choice!
This is a significant event in itself—basically a real exam with test assignments, group work, and an individual interview.
The staff are exceptionally friendly and understanding, and it’s very comfortable interacting with them.
If they’re this thorough in their selection process, just imagine how thorough they are in their teaching 🙈
I passed the vocational guidance and started the QA course.
It seems like I made the right choice!
Good afternoon. I took a free vocational guidance course and I don't regret it at all.
Firstly, it immediately became clear that they wanted to show as accurately as possible that being a QA engineer is not for everyone. It is a difficult profession in itself, not to mention the fact that it is far from the easiest way to “get into tech.”
Moreover, you need to have a certain personality type and skills to have at least a chance of succeeding, since the work that a QA does is very specific. A significant part of the course is devoted to this, in addition to the basic things that a tester needs to understand.
The course covers at best 1% of what you will need to learn for real work, so any illusions disappear immediately. You need to put in a lot of effort just to get a job. Therefore, I definitely recommend spending time on this vocational guidance for those who are just starting out. It may save you a lot of time and money in the future.
As for training courses, it's hard to judge until you've taken one. And it's almost always a lottery, because absolutely every excellent course now has a sufficient number of negative reviews. That's the tech education industry today—competitors are ready for anything, and you can never be completely sure that you won't be wasting your money. But for some reason, I feel a sense of trust toward this team.
Let's see where this road leads.
Firstly, it immediately became clear that they wanted to show as accurately as possible that being a QA engineer is not for everyone. It is a difficult profession in itself, not to mention the fact that it is far from the easiest way to “get into tech.”
Moreover, you need to have a certain personality type and skills to have at least a chance of succeeding, since the work that a QA does is very specific. A significant part of the course is devoted to this, in addition to the basic things that a tester needs to understand.
The course covers at best 1% of what you will need to learn for real work, so any illusions disappear immediately. You need to put in a lot of effort just to get a job. Therefore, I definitely recommend spending time on this vocational guidance for those who are just starting out. It may save you a lot of time and money in the future.
As for training courses, it's hard to judge until you've taken one. And it's almost always a lottery, because absolutely every excellent course now has a sufficient number of negative reviews. That's the tech education industry today—competitors are ready for anything, and you can never be completely sure that you won't be wasting your money. But for some reason, I feel a sense of trust toward this team.
Let's see where this road leads.
A good option for deciding on a career path.
Overall, the course is useful in terms of determining whether this is the right career path for me. I would like to highlight the online work with the mentor, especially the teamwork and discussion.
Thank you very much for the opportunity to discuss the issue one-on-one with the mentor and understand the specifics of the industry and the situation on the labor market.
When I started the very first assignment, I was more interested in training my brain in a field that, although not new to me, was not my main focus. But with each new assignment, my confidence and desire to learn more grew.
Overall, the course is useful in terms of determining whether this is the right career path for me. I would like to highlight the online work with the mentor, especially the teamwork and discussion.
Thank you very much for the opportunity to discuss the issue one-on-one with the mentor and understand the specifics of the industry and the situation on the labor market.
When I started the very first assignment, I was more interested in training my brain in a field that, although not new to me, was not my main focus. But with each new assignment, my confidence and desire to learn more grew.
For anyone looking to find themselves
For anyone unsure if QA is right for them
For anyone who wants to learn about QA—everyone should take the vocational guidance course at Mentorpiece!
Complete the assignments, go through the three stages, and talk to a real person—a QA expert who will guide you into QA or perhaps advise you to pursue a different path (and no, they won't try to drag you into the paid course).
Just give it a try—the course is free, straightforward, and interesting!
For anyone unsure if QA is right for them
For anyone who wants to learn about QA—everyone should take the vocational guidance course at Mentorpiece!
Complete the assignments, go through the three stages, and talk to a real person—a QA expert who will guide you into QA or perhaps advise you to pursue a different path (and no, they won't try to drag you into the paid course).
Just give it a try—the course is free, straightforward, and interesting!
I stumbled upon an article by the course founder on Habr.
I haven't seen a single course that offers vocational guidance at the beginning. And I haven't seen a course with such a long internship. That impressed me.
The course itself was interesting and useful. Group call and personal consultation with the mentor were an important part of the process. It was great to get a taste of teamwork.
I got what I wanted out of the course. Thank you.
I haven't seen a single course that offers vocational guidance at the beginning. And I haven't seen a course with such a long internship. That impressed me.
The course itself was interesting and useful. Group call and personal consultation with the mentor were an important part of the process. It was great to get a taste of teamwork.
I got what I wanted out of the course. Thank you.
This will help you make a conscious choice. I don't have much experience with career guidance tests, let alone vocational guidance courses. But the Mentorpiece course helped me test the strength of my desire to study QA. The process is designed in such a way that you have to answer a series of important questions in order to come to an informed decision: “I can master a new profession in tech.” Awareness is the key word of the entire course and is repeated many times.
A great free way to figure out if you should study QA.
I came to the course with the firm conviction that testing (QA) was what I needed, and successfully completing the mini vocational guidance course only confirmed this.
A big plus of this course, for those who plan to continue studying at Mentorpiece, is the opportunity to evaluate how training will take place on their LMS (Learning Management System), see how the theory chapters are written and how the material is tested, talk personally with the course creator Lilia Urmazova, and ask any questions you may have about the course.
Also, based on my experience of taking other paid courses, I can say that when there is no entrance selection, there are always a significant number of students who ended up there by accident: they can't keep up with their studies (too difficult), can't devote enough time to them, or become disappointed in the profession (it's not what they imagined). Taking the course helps you to better assess both the complexity of the material and how much time the student can actually devote to studying, and to understand a little better what QA engineers do in practice—and as a result, not to spend a considerable amount of money on training if something in this puzzle does not fit together.
And, of course, one should not underestimate the fact that the assessment of whether QA is right for you is also provided by a professional with 20+ years of experience in QA, who has trained and hired a large number of people and can objectively assess whether QA is suitable for this particular person.
I came to the course with the firm conviction that testing (QA) was what I needed, and successfully completing the mini vocational guidance course only confirmed this.
A big plus of this course, for those who plan to continue studying at Mentorpiece, is the opportunity to evaluate how training will take place on their LMS (Learning Management System), see how the theory chapters are written and how the material is tested, talk personally with the course creator Lilia Urmazova, and ask any questions you may have about the course.
Also, based on my experience of taking other paid courses, I can say that when there is no entrance selection, there are always a significant number of students who ended up there by accident: they can't keep up with their studies (too difficult), can't devote enough time to them, or become disappointed in the profession (it's not what they imagined). Taking the course helps you to better assess both the complexity of the material and how much time the student can actually devote to studying, and to understand a little better what QA engineers do in practice—and as a result, not to spend a considerable amount of money on training if something in this puzzle does not fit together.
And, of course, one should not underestimate the fact that the assessment of whether QA is right for you is also provided by a professional with 20+ years of experience in QA, who has trained and hired a large number of people and can objectively assess whether QA is suitable for this particular person.
QA or factory, that is the question
At first, it wasn't quite clear why I had to take this course.
I had already decided that I wanted to pay for the Manual QA course and learn.
But as I progressed and neared the end, I understood why it was necessary.
Right now, the junior market is heavily oversaturated with people who are trying to get into tech without really understanding what it's all about.
Many think that it's “easy” to get in through QA.
It is precisely these people who create a false sense of competition and only add more work for HR.
This course works on a win-win basis.
If a potential applicant does not pass, they receive professional feedback with recommendations. Perhaps they will give up on their idea, or perhaps not and go pay those who don't care who they train.
In the end, you get students who are interested and have the necessary qualities and skills, or can develop them.
The material is quite simple, but the cool game format with simple examples allows you to immerse yourself and look at a mundane situation from above. And try to find the reasons why a particular action happened.
It was very interesting.
The final conversation with the mentor was also very useful.
It was great to talk to an experienced person and realize once again that this is something I'm interested in.
Ultimately, if any of my friends want to try their hand at QA, I will definitely recommend this course.
10 out of 10 vocational guidance courses.
Thank you
At first, it wasn't quite clear why I had to take this course.
I had already decided that I wanted to pay for the Manual QA course and learn.
But as I progressed and neared the end, I understood why it was necessary.
Right now, the junior market is heavily oversaturated with people who are trying to get into tech without really understanding what it's all about.
Many think that it's “easy” to get in through QA.
It is precisely these people who create a false sense of competition and only add more work for HR.
This course works on a win-win basis.
If a potential applicant does not pass, they receive professional feedback with recommendations. Perhaps they will give up on their idea, or perhaps not and go pay those who don't care who they train.
In the end, you get students who are interested and have the necessary qualities and skills, or can develop them.
The material is quite simple, but the cool game format with simple examples allows you to immerse yourself and look at a mundane situation from above. And try to find the reasons why a particular action happened.
It was very interesting.
The final conversation with the mentor was also very useful.
It was great to talk to an experienced person and realize once again that this is something I'm interested in.
Ultimately, if any of my friends want to try their hand at QA, I will definitely recommend this course.
10 out of 10 vocational guidance courses.
Thank you
Those who successfully completed vocational guidance now work in tech companies in these countries:
The vocational guidance course is free of charge.
However, if the mentor is currently unavailable, you may need to wait approximately 10 days to complete stage 3 (individual interview with the mentor).
However, if the mentor is currently unavailable, you may need to wait approximately 10 days to complete stage 3 (individual interview with the mentor).
A career-ready education for a QA engineer—including a practical internship—requires a minimum commitment of 5 to 6 months.
If you encounter programs promising a shortcut, approach them with caution: securing a job in the tech industry after a "quick-fix" course is the exception, not the rule. It is unrealistic to expect that a nominal investment of $200 will lead to a career yielding a $10,000 annual income as an entry-level QA engineer. In this industry, there are no shortcuts to success.
This vocational guidance course is designed for individuals who maintain a pragmatic, realistic approach to career development. It is for those who are prepared to invest significant financial resources and at least six months of dedicated study, but want the assurance that their efforts are aligned with their actual potential.
We help you remove the guesswork, ensuring that your commitment is an investment in a viable, sustainable future rather than a risk of wasted time.
If you encounter programs promising a shortcut, approach them with caution: securing a job in the tech industry after a "quick-fix" course is the exception, not the rule. It is unrealistic to expect that a nominal investment of $200 will lead to a career yielding a $10,000 annual income as an entry-level QA engineer. In this industry, there are no shortcuts to success.
This vocational guidance course is designed for individuals who maintain a pragmatic, realistic approach to career development. It is for those who are prepared to invest significant financial resources and at least six months of dedicated study, but want the assurance that their efforts are aligned with their actual potential.
We help you remove the guesswork, ensuring that your commitment is an investment in a viable, sustainable future rather than a risk of wasted time.
At Mentorpiece, our business model is built on two uncompromising pillars: 90% graduation rates and 90% job placement success.
With our small-cohort structure—capped at 15 students—we provide an intense, high-touch educational environment. To maintain these standards, we rely on radical honesty. We believe that accepting tuition from candidates who lack the necessary aptitude for QA is counter-productive; those individuals will inevitably attrit, wasting both their time and our resources.
Our vocational guidance process acts as a necessary filter. By ensuring that every student in our program is a verified fit, we protect the integrity of our cohort and ensure that the resources we invest are dedicated to those who will successfully transition into the tech industry.
On the status.mentorpiece.education page, you can see statistics on the completion of the vocational guidance course.
With our small-cohort structure—capped at 15 students—we provide an intense, high-touch educational environment. To maintain these standards, we rely on radical honesty. We believe that accepting tuition from candidates who lack the necessary aptitude for QA is counter-productive; those individuals will inevitably attrit, wasting both their time and our resources.
Our vocational guidance process acts as a necessary filter. By ensuring that every student in our program is a verified fit, we protect the integrity of our cohort and ensure that the resources we invest are dedicated to those who will successfully transition into the tech industry.
On the status.mentorpiece.education page, you can see statistics on the completion of the vocational guidance course.
We consider this ratio to be completely normal. It would apply to career guidance for any other profession.
The goal of the vocational guidance course is to give confidence to those who have the aptitude for the QA profession and for whom it is truly suitable. Six months of studying and months of job hunting is a long time, and in order not to get discouraged, you need to be confident that you have made the right choice.
At the same time, the vocational guidance course warns against mistakes for those for whom studying will be long and painful, and job hunting will drag on indefinitely. Because this is not their profession.
Clear red flags are:
• You found out about the QA profession less than a month ago
• The initiative to consider a career in QA came from your friends or relatives
• You still have a hard time understanding what QA engineers do
The goal of the vocational guidance course is to give confidence to those who have the aptitude for the QA profession and for whom it is truly suitable. Six months of studying and months of job hunting is a long time, and in order not to get discouraged, you need to be confident that you have made the right choice.
At the same time, the vocational guidance course warns against mistakes for those for whom studying will be long and painful, and job hunting will drag on indefinitely. Because this is not their profession.
Clear red flags are:
• You found out about the QA profession less than a month ago
• The initiative to consider a career in QA came from your friends or relatives
• You still have a hard time understanding what QA engineers do
Completing stage 1 (interactive textbook, online tests and homework assignments) takes an average of 8 hours of pure time.
Stage 2 (screening for a QA's mindset in the form of a team workshop) and stage 3 (individual vocational guidance from a QA mentor with over 20 years of tech experience) are one-off events and take 2 hours each.
Stage 2 (screening for a QA's mindset in the form of a team workshop) and stage 3 (individual vocational guidance from a QA mentor with over 20 years of tech experience) are one-off events and take 2 hours each.
The result of vocational guidance is not a sentence for life.
• Complete the free 100-Year QA Textbook—an interactive textbook that includes 42 modules, 42 sets of online tests and more than 700 pages devoted to test design, working with requirements, documentation, testing at all levels and defect localization in three-tier architecture, databases, Linux, networks, development methodologies and other useful topics.
• More information on the page How to become a QA for free.
If you start to feel “drawn in,” it makes sense to take the vocational guidance course again.
• Complete the free 100-Year QA Textbook—an interactive textbook that includes 42 modules, 42 sets of online tests and more than 700 pages devoted to test design, working with requirements, documentation, testing at all levels and defect localization in three-tier architecture, databases, Linux, networks, development methodologies and other useful topics.
• More information on the page How to become a QA for free.
If you start to feel “drawn in,” it makes sense to take the vocational guidance course again.
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