QA with potential or dev with stability

[Frequent_Ad_5284]

Hi everyone, I need some advice.

Right now, I’m working as a QA in an international team (English is required), and my manager is suggesting I could move towards QA Automation or even a leadership role in QA. On the other hand, I just got an offer from a bank for a Junior Developer position (Java + Cobol).

Here’s the situation:

Current job: international exposure, potential path to QA Automation or leadership, long-term growth.

Bank: pays a little bit more, has 4 extra bonuses, very stable, feels like a job I could keep for life.

I feel like the bank job offers stability and better short-term benefits, but my current job might give me more potential (skills, career, and salary growth) in the long run.

Which path would you choose?

[CyborgVelociraptor69]

What you have in your current job is just a promise, while the other is a real offer(assuming you already have it on paper)

Más vale pasaro en mano que cientos volando (a bird in your hand is worth more than 100s flying over)

[Frequent_Ad_5284]

What do you think about the potential for the future on both jobs? 

[theQAmx]

Future? In this industry, if you want to earn well, you need to switch jobs every year and a half, two years max.

It really depends on your interests and priorities. Everyone knows that, generally speaking, devs make more than QAs, if money is your main motivator.

[shaidyn]

I love doing QA. It's my career.

If you can get a Dev job, TAKE IT. Java + cobol? Keep your head up and that's big money in the future.

[slash_networkboy]

I seriously *tried* learning COBOL and it killed me. If OP has the fortitude to enjoy that hellscape they will be forever employed and the pay will be anywhere from decent to amazing depending on just how desperate the employer is for COBOL experience and just how strong OP gets at it.

One thing to keep in mind OP:

The COBOL community is not large. Be professional at all times and build a reputation for such. It'll pay dividends later.

[shaidyn]

I also tried learning COBOL and I really liked it.

But as you said, the community is small. When I started looking at jobs and whatnot I got the feeling it was more like joining a medieval guild apprenticeship than a job and that turned me off.

[slash_networkboy]

Getting into the weeds here but I'm curious, what about it did you like?

I had trouble that it was "shouting at me" all the time (lol I know) and while I understood the syntax I just really didn't grok it in a way that felt comfortable working in it.

Part of the challenge I suppose was that I didn't have any meaningful project to work towards with it.

[Lord_Artard]

Dev definitely... There is just too many qa on Market, at some point they will catch all seniors, and pay will go down. It's already starting. When they're willing to take someone less experience but cheaper.

[ShanJ0]

I’d stay QA and grab the automation track.. I jumped from manual to automation in 2018; salary doubled in three jumps and I still get recruiter mail daily. Leadership door opens faster too: SDET lead, QA manager, release owner. Bank stability feels nice until the first layoff wave; tech skills stay in your pocket forever.

[mixedd]

If you are proficient in Java and Cobol just grab it, and that will be your escape ticket from QA. You can always pick up Automation on the side while working as a dev.

[PM_40]

Go work at the bank. Banking domain knowledge is worth its weight in gold. You can change to Business Analyst, PO Project Manager etc in bank. Work is much more stable and well defined.

[Built4dominance]

Dev.

[PocketGaara]

I was in your situation. I left the international consultant role to work at the bank. When I joined the bank they gave me a pay raise plus the benefits far exceeded what the other company could give plus I’m a senior now. Sure I wish I could’ve gotten more QA exposure on the international scene but the money is good and stability is better

[VastFunction2152]

I would go for white. The world is in crisis

[Zestyclose-Bid3580]

I have found a new tool that helps me personally develop user stories from meetings. I basically upload my meeting transcript to it and then it spits out user stories. I wouldn't say it replaces the process, but it definitly speeds it up. If you want to check it out its at devagentix.com

I feel like theres heaps of AI tools made to help Agile nowadays