Quality Assurance Jobs and Quality Control JobsWhen it comes to making sure a product is reliable before it is ever available to consumers, it is first subject to quality assurance and quality control. Both jobs are similar and definitely related but there are a few distinctions. First let’s take a look at quality assurance. Quality assurance is the systematic processes during production to make sure a product meets its intended purpose. This is to make sure that a product will meet customer requirements and satisfaction. There are two main elements to quality assurance. The first one is to make sure that a product does what it is intended to do. The second is to make sure that there are no mistakes made in production of the product. Quality control, while similar, emphasizes more the testing of products after production and blocking any defects. While the purpose of quality assurance is to make a product correctly, sometimes it doesn’t always work and quality control steps in. Quality control is responsible for stress testing to see how much stress a product can take before it fails. If it fails after just a small amount of stress, then a mistake was made in quality assurance. Quality control involves not just inspections of products but services and people as well. Quality Assurance Job Qualifications and Descriptions
There are quality assurance jobs in almost every industry that produces products for a client or consumer. There are two main ways to get a quality assurance job. The first is to get promoted with the company that you work for. A lot of these positions are manager or supervisor positions. The second way to get a quality assurance job is to be a freelance consultant. The hiring of a quality consultant has become a more common practice over the years. Either way, some position tiles in the field are quality engineer, quality inspector, quality manager, and quality analyst. Quality Control Job Qualifications and Descriptions
Descriptions for quality control jobs also vary greatly. Most typical positions are quality control technicians, testers, and inspectors. Each title has a specific function but all are concerned with evaluating a product or service. |
Qualifications for quality assurance jobs vary depending on the field or industry of the job. At the basic level, a college degree in computer science, engineering, or industrial design are extremely important and usually required. Most quality assurance positions require a minimum of several years experience in the specific industry. Also, a working knowledge of computer software and programs related to the field are required. Candidates interested in a position in quality assurance should be detailed oriented, have an analytical mind, and be able to “think outside the box”, as the saying goes. 
Like quality assurance jobs, the qualifications for quality control jobs vary greatly depending on the field. Generally, a college degree is required in the specific field. If you are interested in a quality control job in the medical industry, you will need a degree in chemistry and/or biology. If the quality control job is in the computer industry, you will need a degree in computer science. Candidates also need experience in the field. Usually you need a minimum of several years in the field before you qualify for a quality control job.