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Sometimes we want to learn in detail and sometimes we just need to know a little bit about a topic. For instance, if you decide you want to learn more about relational databases, investigate books at your local bookstore or library. You can also go online for continued research. Surveying multiple topics will help you choose what topics to you want to learn in-depth and what topics you want to gain an awareness of.
Additionally, it is recommended that you try and find opportunities to work with the technology you want to know more about. You can read, research via the internet, attend training classes and read tech magazines, but nothing compares to live experience. Seek work opportunities that help you grow.
Look at your current position and determine if there are ways to increase your knowledge with the opportunities that you already have access to. It is recommend to have a mix of learning -- learn technical skills about current technology and learn about testing practices. If you vary your reading, your own education will become more full-bodied and varied. Avoid learning just one area -- say, Java -- in detail without learning more about requirements building or managing a defect process. So many topics are important in the field of software testing that it's nearly impossible to create one list and say, "Here, go and read these books." But it's essential to keep reading and keep learning. Plan several study times for myself each week.
Automated vs. manual testing
Regarding which form of testing is best, manual or automated. There is no one right answer. Here are a few considerations to help you make the assessment whether a task is worth automating.
* Will the functionality need to be tested multiple times due to multiple internal builds before production release?
* Will the functionality need to be tested on different operating systems and/or on different browsers?
* Will the functionality need to be tested with many different types of data?
* If automation is built, will it be used for one product release or for many releases in the future?
* Does your company have sufficient staff to bring a tool in-house?
* Do you have or can you gain sufficient knowledge of the tool and automation techniques in general to put a tool to good use?
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