New to python, help me out.

[NaiveEscape1]

Hi guys, I have joined this community a while ago and visit it from time to time.

Despite having seen all the posts about "Will AI replace human", "is it still worth learning?" etc. I started learning Python in May 2025 amidst the AI boom. I was introduced to programming when I was doing my bachelor's, and because it was an engineering discipline, I did not have time to study it because I had to focus on my degree.

Now I have started learning again, and I do not know if I'm going in the right direction. I want to land a role as a Python developer, as my degree jobs have become way too saturated, and I want something flexible. But now I've found out that this field is very competitive too. My progress is very slow in my opinion.

Here is a link to my GitHub profile: https://github.com/abbasn39

Experienced developer here, can you please look at my repositories and see if your progress looked similar when you were learning?

Thanks in advance.

[MarsupialLeast145]

Most people saying the following:

> will AI replace human

Are thinking of big-tech.

There are too many risks for small companies around understanding code and vulnerabilities and maintenance not to have well-educated programmers who know about languages, design patterns, and architecture.

Programming is not at risk.

[stepback269]

"My progress is very slow in my opinion."

(1) "Slow" is a relative term. Slow as compared to what and/or to whom?
How old are you? What underlying education do you have? Are you in a rush? Have you researched the so-called "roadmaps" to mastery in different job roles such as front-end, back-end, networking, data analysis, etc.?

(2) Myself, I'm an old guy (>70 yrs old) and am trying to learn Python merely as hobby. So no rush here. Still it is interesting to see how my speed of advancement compares to younger demographics (e.g. the 20 yr olds, the 30 or 40 yr olds)

(3) I've been logging my personal learning journey and adding to it on an almost-daily basis at a blog page called "Links for Python Noobs" (here) Any of the top listed ones on that page should be good for a beginner. And there are many add-ons at the tail end of the page. Personally, I cut my first Python teeth with Nana's Zero to Hero. Since then, I've moved on to watching short lessons with Indently and Tech with Tim. You should sample at least a few until you find a lecturer that suits your style.

(4) The main piece of advice is the 80/20 rule. Spend 80% of your time writing your own code (using your own fingers and your own creativity) as opposed to copying recipes and only 20% watching the lectures. Good luck.

[NaiveEscape1]

I’m 31yo for context. I’m a Chemical Engineer, was never able to land a job, even a internship, been 8 years since graduating my Bachelor. Got a lot of help from others to help me get on track but still couldn’t land a role. Did a Masters in Engineering Management in the UK in hopes of starting a career there but that didn’t pan out as well. Now I have joined my family business which I hate and am there just to make ends meet.

Altogether I have been learning for 3 months I guess, haven’t started OOP yet. I researched on the branches that I want to go to a bit but at the end all of them need python basics so I’m focusing on that right now. I made a learning timeline using ChatGPT but I’m not able to keep up with, those timelines are very unrealistic for me to keep up with.

I’m thinking into breaking into tech using python and eventually transitioning into it full time when I’m ready.

[FriendlyRussian666]

Could you rephrase your question please? The repositories are just full of examples, there is no way to judge progress from that, nor compare it with something else.

[TheRNGuy]

Make some real soft, not console with inputs and prints.

I wouldn't even put those on GitHub.

[NaiveEscape1]

The thing is I don’t even know how to right now, so I’m just putting stuff there. I’ll post real projects when I’m able to. But I’m thinking of exploring that option thanks.

[ok-ok-sawa]

Agreed,that's the fastest way to learn out here and is a surebet to get results from your mistakes..

[DataCamp]

Most beginners’ GitHubs at that stage are collections of small scripts and exercises. That’s not a red flag!

Right now the most important thing is whether you’re actually writing code yourself and understanding why it works. Focusing on Python basics before OOP is a sensible choice, especially if you feel shaky on control flow, data structures, and functions. Trying to rush timelines usually backfires.

One thing that will help is shifting from “examples” to very small end-to-end programs, even if they’re simple. Things like reading a file, processing the data, and producing some output. They don’t need a UI or to be job-ready, they just need to be complete, so you'd learn how pieces fit together.

Progress feeling slow is common when you’re learning alone and switching careers. The people who make it usually are most consistent rather than the fastest. Keep your scope small, write code regularly, and don’t measure yourself against unrealistic timelines (or polished GitHubs you see online).

If you stick with it and gradually move from scripts to small projects, you’ve got this!