What do you do if your quality assurance career goals are not being supported by your mentors?

2 Communicate your goals

The next step is to communicate your goals and needs to your mentors, and ask for their feedback and advice. Be specific and realistic about what you want to achieve, why it is important to you, and how it will benefit your work and the organization. Explain how you plan to pursue your goals, what challenges you face, and what kind of support you need from your mentors. Listen to their opinions and suggestions, and try to understand their point of view. Be open to constructive criticism, but also assertive about your own aspirations. If your mentors are supportive, they will appreciate your initiative and help you achieve your goals. If they are not, they will either ignore, dismiss, or discourage you.

3 Seek alternative mentors

If you find that your mentors are not supportive of your goals, and you cannot improve your relationship with them, you may need to seek alternative mentors who can provide you with the guidance and support you need. You can look for other QA professionals within or outside your organization, who have the skills, experience, and reputation that you admire and respect. You can also join online or offline QA communities, forums, or networks, where you can connect with like-minded peers and experts who can share their insights and advice. You can also enroll in online or offline courses, workshops, or certifications, where you can learn from qualified instructors and mentors who can help you develop your QA skills and knowledge.

4 Develop your skills

Another way to deal with unsupportive mentors is to take charge of your own learning and development, and find ways to improve your QA skills and competencies on your own. You can do this by reading books, articles, blogs, podcasts, or newsletters on QA topics and trends, and staying updated on the latest tools, techniques, and best practices. You can also practice your skills by working on personal or professional projects, or participating in QA challenges, competitions, or hackathons. You can also seek feedback from your colleagues, customers, or users, and use it to improve your work and performance. By developing your skills, you can demonstrate your value and potential, and achieve your goals.

5 Review your goals

The final step is to review your goals and evaluate your progress and results. You can do this by setting SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals, and tracking your performance and outcomes. You can also compare your goals with your current situation, and see if they are still relevant, realistic, and aligned with your interests and values. You can also celebrate your achievements, and reward yourself for your efforts and hard work. By reviewing your goals, you can assess your strengths and weaknesses, identify areas for improvement, and adjust your plans and strategies accordingly.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?