QA Lead & ETL Tester looking to transition into PM – Need advice

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Hi everyone,

I’m looking to transition into a Technical Program Manager (TPM) role and would appreciate some guidance from people who have made a similar move.

Here’s my background:

– 11 years of experience in QA and ETL testing

– Currently working as a QA Lead, leading a team and coordinating cross-functional testing efforts

– Experience with Agile and Scrum, including working as a Scrum Master

– Strong experience in stakeholder communication, sprint planning, defect management, release coordination, SQL, ETL, Databricks, and data validation

I enjoy driving projects, coordinating teams, solving cross-functional problems, and working with stakeholders, which is why TPM feels like a natural next step.

I’d love to hear from people who have successfully transitioned from QA or Test Lead roles into TPM.

A few questions:

1. How did you make the transition?

2. Which skills should I focus on to become a strong TPM candidate?

3. Are there any certifications or courses that genuinely helped?

4. How can I position my QA leadership experience on my resume and in interviews to appeal to TPM hiring managers?

5. Are there any gaps you think I should address before applying?

Any advice, resources, or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!