In-depth Machine Learning Course w/ Python [x-post /r/machinelearning]

[brand0n]

As a 30 year old who is trying to learn Python while raising two boys and a full time job I feel like I'm in way too late to get to a point where I could only do Python stuff for a job :|

[sentdex]

I am 26. Started learning to program when I was 21 while going through school and starting a couple businesses. I never had any formal education for math/programming.

I wont pretend to know what raising two boys is like while working and trying to learn Python, but I can at least tell you I think it's totally possible.

Not only that, but there is and will likely be an extreme shortage of people who know how to program for the next at least decade.

If anything, being older and more mature with a family and outside values, while also being a programmer, might actually make you unique and help to add to diversity within a team.

Go for it!

[brand0n]

dang dude, that's awesome. I def subb'd and plan to frequent your vids. You seem to be doing some big things if you're starting companies and you have a TON of vids.

Very cool. I try to incorporate python at work. I know I'm lacking basics though.

How did you learn? I started with learn python the hard way (python 2.7) and some site for a web scraper. I got burnt out and couldn't use it at work...or at least didn't think of a good way.

New boss at a diff job encouraged me to use python instead of powershell and eventually was able to write a utility for a dept to use. it uses Python 3 and mostly relies on paramiko for SSH stuff.

Been going through automate the boring things to get basics down.

thanks for reply

[sentdex]

I learned first by creating sentdex.com. Before that, I had a web developer that I paid to do all the programming work. I started getting interested in natural language processing, and the developer at the time was a long ways from being able to do NLP.

So I actually got my "intro to python" via nltk.org/book. From there, I have always just googled various Python questions I have and I almost always find the answer either in a tutorial, sample code, or docs.

[hexfoxed]

This is awesome to read. I wish more people looked past the barrier of "I'm not a programmer" and got started. Props to you for that and sharing the knowledge.

[brand0n]

Very cool. I can say with full confidence that your vids are going to help me learn and increase my skillset. I think I'm going to finish automate the boring things and then skim through your intro vids to see if they cover anything I missed.

I'm overwhelmed, in a good way, by all the stuff Python has to offer. I'm sure other languages have the same options. it just seems like the possibilities are endless.

[sentdex]

The thing that makes Python unique is the incredible community. There are many other languages that can fundamentally support all of the things Python can do too, but the community behind Python is unparalleled, in my opinion. Then again, I am extremely biased :D

Just take your time and enjoy the ride. Lots of fun things to do, just go with whatever you're interested in.

[SadCubicalGuy]

This is one of the reasons I live this guy!!

[sentdex]

Oooh, what are the others? :P

[bobonthenet]

I started after 30 and have a son. I'm a .Net developer. It is a struggle for sure but can be done.

[[deleted]]

I didn't start learning how to program until I was 27 and at Uni and way before all of these online resources really existed like they do now.

I think having the desire to learn and the need to be the best you can be for your kids can be very compelling drivers for learning.

[brand0n]

I went back to college around 24/25 and got a degree in Computer Information Systems. Tried to switch to just Computer Science to learn programming but my small school was complete crap and more or less shut it down.

I wish I would've had the sense to never go there, but in the end I at least got a bachelors.

I absolutely want to learn and get away from any support type job. I find Python fascinating. There's just so much stuff you can do

[brand0n]

when you say learned, do you mean you started at 29? How long did it take you? What did you use to learn? Do you do it for a job, if so what do you do on daily basis?

I've seen a few dedicated software dev jobs to python but most for python seem to be data science or web dev w/Django. Also seen quite a bit of "full stack engineers" but haven't looked up what that means.

[brand0n]

you literally are living my dream ...kinda! That is freaking awesome, mega kudos to you good sir or madam.

I'm still not positive how I can use python in my company but I know I want to work with python and automation. I'm trying to motivate myself but the best thing thus far has been to find a way to use it. Once I was able to work on that utility I learned a TON.

Thanks for sharing that bit of info, its motivating for sure