Vrftjkry

I'm almost 20 and working as an IT consultant for a pretty big multinational company in the Power and Energy business. I have a pretty flexible contract which allows me to work around 8-10 hours a week and still get paid a respectable 600€/month.
But that's not the problem: I'm very happy with the contract itself.

I'm a college student (studying Computer Science Engineering), coming from a high school where I studied Computer Science. It's been my hobby and passion since I was a kid.
I enjoy taking part in hackathons and try to always be working on something new in my free time (I love learning).

And here's the problem: my job has always been somewhat unrelated, but that was fine. I provided my knowledge about programming, computer networks, etc. and applied that to typical problems of an industrial environment, or focused on writing manuals, small courses or making presentations to convey what I know to people who come from very different backgrounds. All while learning things I didn't even know the existence of, like PLCs, Modbus, etc. I enjoyed doing that.

But recently everything started drifting towards an undesired direction.
Now I am responsible for QA of a new web platform that the company is developing. Manual QA. Like, reading how should a feature work, clicking around, input some data and then write a report about what works and what not.
I find that boring, uninteresting and unmotivating. I feel underutilized. I love working as a developer and being told to only test others' code, without even a chance of looking at it is just frustrating.

I know that a big company looks cool on a resume, but In 3 years I have worked here for around 15 months, so it's already written there and people have noticed. As of now, I don't feel like I'm learning anything new or useful: actually, I think this position might hurt me in the long run, as I wouldn't really like to list QA on my resume. I am completely uninterested in doing that.

Would it be a wise choice to look for another job? I know for sure I could find a new one, but of course it will be hard to get this same flexibility and pay.

I should mention that I already told my manager once about this and he replied that he would have made sure that I could get more involved with the actual code. That was 1 month ago and I'm still here writing this from a boring meeting about something I would never want to do in the future.

Would it be a wise choice to look for another job?

Yes.

While in college, your primary goal should be learning and doing as well in your studies as you can. A part-time job is only a secondary consideration. And the pay for that job shouldn't be a major consideration at all.

The best course for students is to gain as much exposure in their desired career as possible. That will serve you well going forward.

I could argue that doing a stint on QA makes for better developers (I have personally seen this in my over 25 years in QA and in many years of hiring co-op students), but clearly that doesn't interest you. So instead, find a new job that helps you learn and develop your long-term career interests.

If that means a little less flexibility and/or a little less pay, then that's a good price to pay for an improved career background.

From

I'm almost 20 and working as an IT consultant for a pretty big multinational company in the Power and Energy business.

And

I'm a college student (studying Computer Science Engineering), coming from a high school where I studied Computer Science. It's been my hobby and passion since I was a kid.

And

I know for sure I could find a new one, but of course it will be hard to get this same flexibility and pay.

I'd recommend you stay put at least for now, with some caveats I'll go over.

WHY?

As a college student, flexibility and pay are extremely important. Your post mentions you don't believe you could match the flexibility and pay elsewhere, which is why I'm suggesting stay. Your main goal should be to finish college with as little debt as possible.

Currently, you've worked here for 3 years (off-and-on), which likely means they feel confident in your abilities and work ethic. When you skip work to finish a project or paper, you'll need the good-will and understanding of your manager (which you likely have). A new job may not be as friendly to your school life.

You may end up doing work you don't enjoy at your next job as well. Here you may have some standing to get on a project you'd enjoy more in the future. The grass always looks greener in the other field.

And now for the caveats...

You should consider getting a new job if

1) You're not paid enough to cover your living expenses and most of your tuition. (your post says the pay is good)

2) They are not flexible with your school schedule. (your post says they're flexible)

3) You get offered a similar job you feel you'd like more

How to deal with the QA job

Now I am responsible for QA of a new web platform that the company is developing. Manual QA.

You may be able to deal with the manual QA job and stay it the same company. You've got 2 main options here.

Option 1

Use the fact that manual QA is probably no one's first choice to negotiate a very favorable work from home part time deal with your manager. Your manager may be quite happy to give you some more perks to keep this position filled. It will also make more sense with your school work

Option 2

Talk to your manager again and express your interest in doing more IT work or coding. They may have a new project in the works for you anyway.

My advice to you would be to stay where you are for now.

You are at a place where you are obviously appreciated (or they wouldn't still have you).

On the job experience is very valuable and in some respects you are getting more of an education where you are than in your school. Every job has humdrum, boring, and irritating things we don't want to do. Consider your current assignments to be part of your education in that regard. You are still very young, and the world out there is rough.

If you were older, and had your degree, I'd say move on, but you're not and that makes all the difference. If they are treating you well except for not challenging you, tell them that you want more responsibilities. They'll accommodate you, I guarantee that.

Don't go rushing off because the grass seems greener in other pastures. It sounds like you've been building up goodwill in your organization, continue to build that and see where it takes you.

You have plenty of time to move on, if you choose to do so, so don't be in a hurry.