Contract-to-hire - viable to break into industry?

Question

I am about to graduate with a BS in software development. I am proficient in Java, javascript, html, and css, but I feel like I'd like to orient my career more toward software testing and QA than actual developing. I've been applying to junior positions here in Dallas, TX and have an interview upcoming for a contract-to-hire position as a junior software QA analyst. On conversion, the salary would be 45k, not sure what it is on contract but will ask at interview. Thing is, I will be leaving a solid, stable job that pays 32k, but it's in a call center. I hate it and it's not at all related to what I want to do with my life. My current company does not have any opportunities that would align with my career aspirations. I'm worried about taking the position and not being coverted in the end, but at least I'd have actual testing experience when it comes time to looking for my next role. Any advice?

Answer 1

You are asking excellent questions before you make a final decision about the opportunity! Here are some other questions to ponder:

IF the job were guaranteed to convert to full-time, would you jump at the opportunity as a "dream come true" next step on your post-graduation career path?

Would you want this new opportunity even if it paid less, say closer to $35k?

What motivates you to steer away from software development, given your degree? Christopher makes an excellent point about the loss of opportunities down the road as your development knowledge and skills become increasingly irrelevant to new development technologies and software.

Here are two ways to look at your decision from my perspective:

1. If the opportunity represents an important step in the right direction of your career goals, it is probably worth the risk and you won't know unless you take the leap of faith in yourself. Caveat: find out from the recruiter whether there is ANY real chance at conversion to full-time employment at the end. You called it "contract-to-hire" so I assume conversion is at least a possibility; find out what the company expects in order to convert and what that real probability is.
2. If the opportunity gets you out of an unhappy role and pays significantly more but it doesn't put you any closer to your career goals, you will have to balance the competing stressors: unhappy vs uncertain.
3. If the opportunity's career and/or circumstantial downsides exceed your tolerance for risk, consider staying where you are and taking this opportunity as a catalyst to get your plans in order for a change. You may have to suck it up for a little while but the act of taking control over your future with a set of clear goals and a well designed change plan will get you through and onto a better path for the long-run.

I hope this is helpful. I am happy to support you in achieving your career goals if you are looking for a tutor/coach.

Best! Dr. K

Answer 2

Why do you feel you need to be in QA if you have development skills? If you become an analyst, your development skills won't get used and they'll atrophy to the point where you won't be able to get hired as a developer.

What is it that you really want to do?

And personally, you have a high tech bachelors degree, I wouldn't accept anything below 50.