How Malcolm Transitioned into Software QA with Careerist

After more than a decade in quality assurance, Malcolm McGhie wanted to work in software QA and pursue a path to remote work. He enrolled in Careerist’s 10-week Manual QA Bootcamp to translate his background into a career in software testing and successfully pivoted into the tech industry. Now a QA Engineer at Align Ops, Malcolm shares why he chose a bootcamp, how Careerist’s internship and structured job search support helped him land interviews quickly, and why he believes QA testing remains essential in an AI-driven tech landscape.

Malcolm, before starting Careerist, you had experience in QA across multiple industries. What gaps or limitations did you feel in your skillset that pushed you to a bootcamp?

Well, after about 10 years in highly regulated industries like nuclear, aerospace, and defense, I experienced burnout and was ready for a change. I also realized during COVID that I loved working remotely, but my industry often required me to work with hardware in the office. Since 2022, I'd been looking for a way to transition into remote work, but the heavy regulation made it extremely difficult to find remote QA jobs in my field, even domestically.

By 2023, I was actively seeking a career change. I kept hearing about Careerist on YouTube and, in 2025, finally made the decision. Although I had quality assurance experience, I lacked specific knowledge in software QA – how to effectively apply my skills to a tech role. I knew there was a lot of information online, but I wanted a concise, streamlined program focused on job placement to avoid wasting time. That's why I chose Careerist, and it paid off.

Once you decided on Careerist, which course did you take?

I chose the Manual QA Bootcamp. The manual course felt like the most straightforward and easiest transition for me. I consider myself a unique case because I already have quality experience; I'm just transitioning into the software and tech world.

The Manual QA program was only a 10-week course. The key factor for me was their focus on job placement. I found the course very practical, not theoretical. They emphasized "need-to-know" information, which really helped with the process and understanding the requirements. I believe anyone can do this type of work.

Careerist was very helpful. Though I was the only one with prior quality experience, everyone in my class quickly grasped the concepts and the lingo. It took me some time to learn the new software terminology, but Careerist made the information easy to digest. The coursework and homework made it easy to quickly pick up and understand what we were doing.

What does a typical week look like in the Manual QA program?

There were about two live courses a week. They covered key quality engineering functions like quality testing, manual testing, writing bug reports, and writing test cases. If you couldn't attend the live session, it was always recorded. This flexibility was really helpful, allowing me to watch courses after work or whenever I had time. Every week had a structured plan: attend the live class or watch the recording, and complete the homework and assignments. All assignments received feedback, making it easy to overcome any misunderstandings and progress to the next step.

Who were your instructors, and how did they guide you through the course?

The instructors were current industry professionals who took on this role with Careerist to help others learn about software quality engineering.

They were extremely helpful. As I mentioned, the course is very practical and light on theory. They were very straight to the point about what we needed to know. As someone who prefers a practical approach, I really appreciated focusing on real-world application without excessive filler. The coursework also included supplementary lessons to help us further ramp up our knowledge of quality engineering.

With your prior experience, when did things start to click for you and others as you went through the program?

I think things clicked pretty quickly for me – after a couple of weeks, I had the new terminology and vocabulary down. I didn't have to mentor others because the job is pretty straightforward, and most of the other students also picked it up very quickly. This was clear through our discussions, their questions, and their completed assignments.

Anyone with attention to detail who can read and follow instructions can do this job.

When did you start your internship at Careerist? 

The internship is automatically included in the program after completing the initial coursework, which I loved because it immediately added experience to my resume. It lasts a minimum of two weeks, but students can choose to extend it as long as needed, which is helpful while job searching for several months to continue practicing QA.

The internship work was basically the same as what we learned in class. The instructors were directly connected with Careerist, so it felt more focused on real-life testing practice rather than impacting the company as a whole. While some might want an experience with more measurable impact, for me, the two weeks were invaluable for practicing what I learned. Going to daily stand-ups and discussing our work was extremely helpful and is exactly what I do in my current job. So, the internship was beneficial, even if it might not offer the high-impact experience some are seeking.

How did Careerist's job search support change the way that you approached QA job applications? 

With Careerist, we had recruiters who shared best practices for the job search. A key takeaway was to apply to at least 20-30 jobs daily, Monday through Friday, and rest on the weekends. They emphasized that applying earlier in the week, as jobs are posted, increases your chances of getting a response. I previously did the opposite, applying mostly on weekends, and their method proved totally right.

Given my existing QA experience, I felt confident and started applying within two to three weeks of starting the course, landing interviews before the course finished. The coaching included mock interviews and preparation for both the interviews and the job itself. I received my job offer about a month after completing the course. Careerist gave me the confidence that the job was straightforward and doable.

They also provided essential study tools very early on, including a list of top interview questions to read, understand, and even memorize. About 85-90% of my interview questions came from what they told us to study. Following their instructions made the process very successful for me.

My current job is a perfect example of their support. I interviewed in October (HR, manager, and team interviews). Although they initially went with another candidate, HR was impressed and told me they would likely have positions again in January, so I should reach out. A month later, they posted for another quality engineer position. I called them, and the deal was done without needing to re-interview. It was a seamless process, and the second company I had interviewed with. I truly believe Careerist made this happen, and I am grateful for their process of getting their students hired.

Could you describe a typical workday in your current role as a QA Engineer?

I'm currently at a construction management company that tracks tools, fleets, and timekeeping. A typical day starts with checking emails and Slack messages. Then, we have a daily standup meeting to review the previous day's work, what we're currently focused on, and any blockers. This practice helps me stay accountable. We also have daily meetings with our overseas and onshore developer teams, as well as product managers and owners.

After meetings, I work on assigned tickets in order of priority, with critical app functionality addressed first. I often collaborate with developers who have questions about tickets. A great aspect of the software industry – and of this company – is the supportive culture: everyone is helpful and willing to answer questions, no matter how small, to ensure a successful product release.

The daily routine is generally consistent. We deploy our app every couple of weeks, which sometimes requires working a bit later to ensure a smooth application release. Overall, it's a straightforward job. I appreciate the flexibility of working remotely and their understanding if I need to take a break or handle a family matter, as long as the work gets done, everything's kosher.

What’s the difference between a QA Engineer, a QA Tester, and an SDET (software developer in test)?

Fundamentally, we're all doing the same thing: testing software and ensuring quality. I don't see clear distinctions in the titles themselves.

I recommend applying for all those roles if the job descriptions seem like something you can do and are interested in, especially if the salary is what you're looking for. I don't think the specific title – whether it's quality engineering or quality testing – should be a barrier if the work aligns with your goals.

With AI dominating tech and many industries, have you seen QA change over the years?

When I started in 2014, QA was heavily paper-based, even in a nuclear company, with hundreds of thick binders. The first major transition was moving everything electronic, replacing physical paper checks with online verification. Following this, QA shifted its focus to software.

I believe AI's role is primarily in automation. For manual testing, I see less of an immediate impact. Even as AI makes software building easier, every program and company will still require humans to check the quality of software and AI. AI will likely play a larger role in the future, but I believe we're still in the early stages, despite recent rapid advancements. Ultimately, humans will remain essential for testing software and overseeing quality. I'm not concerned about AI taking manual jobs; its impact will be greater in automation, and even then, human involvement is necessary.

I recently discussed AI with a manager, who recalled the early concept – perhaps dating back ten years – that AI would eliminate many jobs. In reality, AI is currently enhancing our work. While some jobs have seen minor reductions, the overall impact hasn't been as drastic as predicted, and future impacts will manifest differently than we might assume.

My advice is simple: embrace AI, but don't fear it. We should integrate it into our work, confident that our roles remain secure.

I had the opportunity to interview another Careerist graduate, David Heidkamp, a few months ago, who completed the QA bundle. He essentially said the same thing, especially regarding manual QA: you need humans as a second pair of eyes to ensure quality.

With your QA experience, your experience with Careerist, and your current work in software QA, would you hire other graduates of Careerist's QA programs?

Yes, I would definitely hire someone who completed the Careerist course and is job searching. The fundamentals we learn at Careerist cover everything needed for manual testing. Therefore, any graduate has the foundational knowledge to take on any manual testing role.

Of course, every company has its intricacies, requiring different learning. However, if they complete the QA course, they can find a job quickly at any company. If my company were hiring tomorrow and it were between a Careerist graduate and some other random person – both with the same, usually zero, experience – I'd pick the Careerist applicant. I know they have a good foundation, the tools, and experience from the internship, homework, and course material. So yes, I would definitely hire someone.

Would you say Careerist was worth it for you?

For me, Careerist was 100% worth it. While many people focus on salary increases in software careers, that wasn't my motivation. I was already working at a Fortune 500 company in California and actually make less now. For me, the main reason I chose Careerist was the freedom and flexibility of working remotely, especially since my partner lives outside the US. This flexibility allows me to visit them more often. For that reason, it was 1000% worth it. I'd do this 10 times over again, and I'm honestly frustrated it took me so long to take the plunge after knowing about the program for a year.

If you are serious about changing careers and want a program that is straightforward and supports you throughout the whole process, Careerist is definitely 100% worth every penny.

Find out more and read Careerist reviews on Course Report. This interview was produced by the Course Report team in partnership with Careerist.