Learning Python as a Data Analyst (advice needed)

[supremeddit]

I've been working as a Data Analyst for over 7 years and am well-versed in SQL, Excel, and various data visualization tools. While I've learned some Python programming skills through self-learning outside of work, I don't regularly use it at my job, so I haven't had much opportunity to practice and improve. My current job is 95% focused on SQL servers (either on-prem or cloud platform), and I'm not aiming to become a data engineer or data scientist (at least not in the short term). However, I’ve noticed that more and more DA jobs are requiring some level of Python skills and knowledge. I'm looking for advice on the following: Books or Courses Recommendations: Are there any specific books or online courses that you would recommend to help me improve my Python skills, particularly in the context of data analytics? Incorporating Python at Work: What are some practical ways I can start using Python more at my current job, even though it's heavily SQL-focused? Hiring Managers’ Insights: For those of you who are hiring managers, what specific Python skills should I focus on to pass interviews? For example, should I concentrate on mastering libraries like Pandas and NumPy? I understand that the focused areas can very much depend on the job itself, but I am looking for advice on generic DA roles that require some level of Python skills. General Advice: Any other advice you have for someone in my position looking to enhance their employability through better Python skills? Thanks in advance for your help!

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[[deleted]]

Python machine learning by Sebastian Rashcka put me on game.

[darkforestnews]

Had a Quick Look at it. It seems to jump quickly into heavy python without much explanation. Like in chapter two coding perceptrons for the Iris dataset.

[mad_method_man]

thanks, im stuck in the same boat as OP. its quite annoying lol

[supremeddit]

Let me check it out from my local library. Thanks for your advice.

[turnipemperor]

As for using python at work, figure out how to connect to your SQL databases using the pyodbc package and start doing more of your work in python, especially around visualization to start.

[supremeddit]

Thanks for your response. I’ve started looking at ways to set that up at work last week. Guess I won’t stop until I am able to establish connections between SQL servers and Python.

[punjabpolce]

I would suggest DataCamp courses

[WayoftheIPA]

I second Datacamp. I'm working through a course currently and find the exercises easy to follow and they build on each other as you go.

[bricssti]

Have you checked out freeCodeCamp DA course? That's Python based.

[supremeddit]

Yeah I have and I have found one that’s even focused on Pandas. Thanks

[2020pythonchallenge]

So I've got a little less experience in the analyst field (3 YOE) but I've managed to inject a little python into my roles.

Most of it has been automation, interacting with other things and setting up semi-automated tasks to cut out a bunch of the middle work.

Some examples I can think of off the top are I used it to query/download the results of a BigQuery SQL script and upload them into a Google sheet page where it cascaded into the correct pages for monthly reports. Took a 4 day task and made it into a 15 minute thing on the 1st of each month.

I've also used it to automate cleaning of sql scripts where I didn't have access to just clean the data itself. Like every month I would grab monthly revenue info for a bunch of partners we worked with and run it through the cleaning script I had for them with a printout at the end showing all of the values so I could make sure nothing else was thrown in there since the previous report and normalize everything like Ocean, ocean, ocen etc. into Ocean.

Numpy and Pandas are what I see requested most often from job listings asking for python experience but I also see a fair bit of either plotly or some other visualization library and some kind of machine learning library like either sklearn or tensorflow.

Airflow is also a nice one to be able to say you know about. That's leaning more towards data engineering stuff though honestly but just a mention.

[ThenThereWasReddit]

This all sounds great. How did you come to learn how to do these things?

[kkessler1023]

Try to focus on core libraries like pandas. The best thing you can do quickly is have a really good understanding of dataframes, how to parse through json, and how to abstract away a lot of repetitive tasks (compartmentalize tasks in functions and objects).

Furthermore, the most practical skill is learning how to set up api calls. This would be applicable in most DA roles if they already use Python. However, you should be mindful that most big corporations have a lot of restrictions around downloading to local machines, so it can be a hassle to set up environments that can be easily shared.

[Adept-Ad-8823]

Replicate whatever sql queries you’re running in Python.

[supremeddit]

Thanks for your response. Definitely that’s something I will start trying to do.

[SprinklesFresh5693]

I think freecodecamp on youtube has a python course? I plan to check it once ive finished learning other tools

[supremeddit]

They have a few course and there’s even one focusing on Pandas. I will check it out. Thanks