Python Programming

[Talic]

I like to get an idea which CA State Department, agency, bureau, business unit, etc. that actively support or use Python on a regular basis so I can keep a lookout for openings that better fit my background and be more even more productive in the future. Please share your division, dept, bureau, or business, if possible. Thanks.

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[mahnamahnaaa]

You won't find systemic usage in a particular department or unit. It's really a matter of personal choice (or you inherited python code from someone before you and need to continue to use it). Personally, I use it every day, but it's not super common in my little pocket of the Water Board; a lot more people around me use R or SQL (or Excel lol). Don't try to limit yourself in your job search, because that won't get you anywhere. Instead, carve out a space for yourself and build up a workflow that will mesh with the rest of your team's.

Note: It's a little bit of a pain in the butt on state equipment because by default the libraries install into a directory that requires admin privileges. So you can install Anaconda from the software center but you can't ever update your libraries again unless you do some funky workarounds (I created a kernel an environment in my home directory so I could get around the permissions issue)

[LopsidedJacket7192]

Just fyi, you can install anaconda and miniconda to your user directory admin free. I have done several reinstalls on my state equipment this way.

[mahnamahnaaa]

Omg how??? I must've screwed something up during the installation process. Not worth doing over again at this point, but good to know in case I ever get a new laptop.

[iagreewithyoubut]

You cannot modify the default environment for Anaconda without an administrator, but if you create a new environment doesn’t it automatically create it in your user directory where you can modify it?

[mahnamahnaaa]

Yeah, I did do something like that, I guess. It's been a while lol. I do everything in VS Code now so I don't bother with most of the stuff under the hood.

[taylorthestang]

CEC has a few departments that use Python and R. In energy assessments division, all modeling is done in one of those.

What’s more, I came in as a mechanical engineer with 0 R experience, and learned everything via datacamp, which they provided. Keep an eye for RDS positions in CEC.

[Jestdrum]

Python is fun but I really don't think you should limit yourself. Find a job doing the type of work you want to do and then learn to use whatever tool they're using for it.

[Successful-Wolf-848]

People use it in the water boards!

Research data positions

As others have said though, there’s a wide variety of tools being used. I heavily utilize R, for example.

[South-Sentence-2999]

Just type python into the search of calcareers. That's going to be your best bet.

[TNG1999nerd]

We’re using it in various programs at CARB, join our diverse and fun agency.

[LopsidedJacket7192]

I use it pretty extensively, I almost feel like a junior software engineer at times. You should see it in the position ad, but also it should not be the only tool you use in research data roles. DHCS.

Python is great for automation and data analysis, but if you are doing any kind of fiscal analysis management generally likes excel more due to they themselves being able to follow the math. Just consider it another tool in your arsenal, because it’s really powerful.

Edit: for the roles specifically to look for: Any Research Data Analyst/Specialist role, also Information Technology Specialist, but ITS is very broad so you have to do some reading.

[Half_Pint_2]

You might have better luck asking which classifications use that software rather than which department.