Learn programming first, then one tool, and apply it at your current job. Roadmaps suggest about four to six months of steady practice, or around three for someone with manual experience. A typical order is one language (Python or Java for Selenium; JavaScript or TypeScript, or Python, for Playwright), Git, then a browser tool, then API testing and CI, ending with a portfolio of automated tests for a real or public app. The most common mistake is trying to learn every tool at once. Your test-design and bug-finding skills carry over, so pitch automation of your own regression checks to your team as a first project.

Sources: Scaler roadmap, QASkills transition guide, Guvi roadmap