I started my career in software testing back in 2010 when I was in my second year in college. Back then I really didn’t understand the depth of my job and its impact on the quality of the product. I was seeing the role of a tester more like "repeatable, routine-tolerant" rather than "unpredictable, and meaningful."
There’s this perception that testing is an entry-level job and can be performed by anyone. To some level it’s true, but once you want to master your craft and really take charge and pride of what is being released to your customers, you have to elevate your skills beyond just following script and orders step-by-step. Most of us can do that, but to be 10x better, faster, and stronger we constantly have to keep growing and try out new things.