Advice on Breaking into Automation with No Prior Experience
Hey everyone,
I have 5+ years of manual QA experience, mostly in enterprise and blockchain platforms. The only automation I've ever touched was running pre-built scripts in a NixOS CLI that the dev team created. I did not write any of it myself.
Recently, someone reached out and asked me to help automate workflows for their platform. They are fully aware I have no prior automation experience, but they still want to work with me. This is a collaborative opportunity and I would like to take it seriously.
My goals with this:
- Build real, hands-on automation skills I can add to my portfolio
- Use this as a stepping stone as I am transitioning into cybersecurity (Security+ certified) or potentially an automation-focused role
- Actually deliver something useful for this person's platform
I have been looking at tools like Zapier, Playwright, and Cypress, but I honestly do not know where to begin or which one makes the most sense for someone starting from zero. I am also trying to avoid spending money on tools if possible, so free tiers or open source options are preferred.
My questions for the community:
- Where should I start as a complete automation beginner coming from a manual QA background?
- Between tools like Zapier, Playwright, and Cypress, which would you recommend for a beginner and why?
- Any free resources like courses, YouTube channels, or docs that helped you get started?
- How do I approach scoping this project so I do not overpromise while I am still learning?
I have a solid foundation in system analysis, troubleshooting, and documentation, so I am hoping that background carries over. Any advice from people who have been in a similar position would mean a lot.
Thanks in advance!
Edit: Forgot to mention: I will be handing off the automation to him once it is done and he is not technical, so ease of use on his end is also something I need to keep in mind when choosing a tool.