Algorithm design aptitude – IMHO second most important ingredient for an SDET \/ Engineer<\/p>\n

My definition algorithm design aptitude: Ability to design a complex solution using small building blocks.<\/p>\n

And to do this, you don’t have to start with Java. The first language I learned in high school was HTML & CSS.<\/p>\n

I learned how to find small building blocks, connect them and create a solution.<\/p>\n

Those fundamental lessons I used everywhere – at Uni in my engineering, on job in test automation, testing, web development, big data, you name it.<\/p>\n

And this is what I teach and stress upcoming engineers \/ SDETs to learn – languages will come and go, tools pop like mushrooms all over<\/p>\n

What will stay with you, and help you through all of that – ability to visualize & design solutions using existing small building blocks..<\/p>\n

Oh, and by the way – We all do have an aptitude to design things – we just need to learn to harness it.<\/p>\n<\/div>