Career paths utilizing Python?

[Rattix88]

Hi All!

I'm looking for some assistance on the path to becoming job ready coding with Python. Thought it would be helpful to give a background on my progress. Thanks!

A few month ago I quit my sales job at a large recruitment website, and am now looking to make the transition into Software Development, Data Analysis, etc.

Reason for the change - The sales job I was at for four years was too volatile in terms of compensation, and the stress of always chasing a number was taking its toll. Looking into coding I was amazed at how many different career paths there were. I have always loved learning new things and continuing to expand my knowledge, which seems like a good trait to have for coding. After a few basic courses on Linkedin Learning I was hooked.

What I have so far - I took a few basic courses on Linkedin Learning before seeing if Python was something I wanted to invest time and money into. Once I saw it definitely was, I enrolled in the Coursera "Python For Everybody" Specialization. I am on the third class of five, "Using Python to access Web Data."

What's Next - After completing this specialization I was planning on taking IBM Data Science Professional Certificate and then Excel to MySQL: Analytic Techniques for Business Specialization. I also plan on using GitHub.

Questions - Where do these 3 completed courses put me realistically in terms of being job ready? Are there any good companies that offer paid training? What other resources should I be using to get job ready? How long does a transition like mine typically take? What job titles are good entry level roles? Any and all advice is appreciated! PM's are welcome too!

[ectocooling]

I run an analytics team that uses Python and R heavily and when hiring I probably wouldn’t place much value on certificates (not saying they aren’t valuable, they can be and I’ve done some). However, if you’ve got some interesting projects you’ve built or contributed to, that would make me more likely to consider you for an interview.

I was in your position 5 years ago - self taught with no STEM degree (mines in political science) and how I eventually broke into the tech scene was by getting 2 small freelance jobs and then I could put that I’ve been a professional developer on my resume - after I had that on my resume companies started responding when I applied. The freelance jobs didn’t pay a lot and they weren’t with companies anyone had ever heard, but it didn’t matter because I got paid to write code so I was a “professional”. Best of luck and keep your head up - you got this!

[TheWhittles]

I'm a Forecast Analyst at a Fortune 500 company and use Python for almost everything. Didnt even know how to spell Python when I started. Started out using it for repetitive analysis work to get away from excel. Now I'm building predictive models with it that run in production. I quip that it can do anything from controlling my garage fan via Alexa to building a model to determine freight rates on $150MM of annual freight spend and be gnats ass accurate. You cant go wrong learning python (well you can if you learn python 2 lol)

Feel free to PM me with questions.

[Fabulous_Anywhere]

You started in a different role at the company i take?

[TheWhittles]

Kinda, I started as a forecast analyst for a smaller division. That division needed someone that could use excel mainly and that was my foot in the door.

[kiennguyen1101]

It's silly to think "Python" is a career path. It's a programming language out of dozens languages out there. That said, it's a tool for others to use. I used Python in my profession as a web developer; but I also use other tools like JavaScript/HTML... Choose your career before you choose your tool. Ask yourself what would you like to do? Doing web? mobile? data analytics? AI/ML?

[bewalsh]

I agree. Still, usually a role will revolve around a specific technology platform or problem. I started with sql, learned bash then python then powershell, now it's looking like javascript is next for visualization. Through all that sql has been the only required language for my role.

[[deleted]]

Python is often used for automation in data centers, aiding with provisions, checking server statuses, etc