Want to start with Automation Testing. Need a roadmap from experienced QAs 🙏
Hi everyone,
I've worked as a Manual Tester only and now I want to move into Automation Testing, but honestly I’m feeling a bit lost about where to begin. There are so many tools, languages, frameworks, and roadmaps online that it gets confusing very quickly.
I would really appreciate guidance from experienced QA professionals here.
These are the things I’m trying to understand:
What should be the very first step for a manual tester entering automation?
Which programming language is best to start with in 2026? Java, Python, JavaScript, or something else?
Which automation tool/framework is most in demand right now?
What topics should I learn step-by-step?
How can I build hands-on experience if my current company only gives manual testing work?
What kind of automation projects should I add to my resume/GitHub?
Is learning CI/CD, Jenkins, Git, SQL, etc. necessary from the start or later?
What mistakes should beginners avoid while learning automation?
How long does it realistically take for a manual tester to become job-ready in automation?
A little background about me:
I have 3+ years of experience in manual testing
I've been unemployed since march due to personal issues.
I already understand SDLC/STLC, bug reporting, test cases, regression testing, etc.
My main challenge is deciding the right path and avoiding wasting time learning outdated things.
I’d really appreciate if someone could share:
a roadmap, learning sequence or even what they would do if they were starting again from scratch today.
Thanks in advance 🌟