Pivot from QA Analyst to Software Development Engineer (SDE)

The user is currently in a QA-heavy consulting role but has a technical background and desires to move into Software Development Engineering (SDE) at product-based companies. This is a significant career pivot that offers better technical engagement and potentially higher earning potential. To achieve this, the user needs to actively build a strong SDE skillset (e.g., data structures, algorithms, a primary programming language like Java/Python, system design) and create a portfolio of personal projects to demonstrate coding ability beyond theoretical knowledge. Focusing on product-based company roles will align with the user's desire for coding-intensive work. Expected earnings are generally higher for SDE roles compared to QA-focused analyst positions.