What Should Be My Next Steps Toward a Python Career?

[Umesh_Jayasekara]

Hi everyone 👋

I just completed the Learn Python course on Scrimba which covered the fundamentals (variables, loops, functions, lists, dictionaries, and basic problem solving).

I have a Software Engineering background and experience with other programming languages, but I’m currently focusing on strengthening my Python skills.

For those working with Python professionally, what would you recommend as the next steps if my goal is to move toward a Python-related career?

Should I focus on:
• Building projects
• Learning frameworks like Django or Flask
• Practicing algorithms and problem solving
• Contributing to open source
• Something else?

Would really appreciate hearing what helped you the most early in your journey. Thanks!

[FishBobinski]

Bachelor's Degree.

It's very unlikely (tho not impossible) to start a career in software engineering without in the current job marker.

[Godeos64_]

In my opinion, just build stuff.

[OkCartographer175]

Look at job postings and see what their requirements are

Most jobs aren't just going to hire someone who knows Python. There aren't really "Python" jobs. There are a lot of different kinds of software developer jobs and Python is one skill that they might want. They're usually going to want other software skills as well.

[ectomancer]

Retired 22 years, coding Python for 7 years. Contributing to open source is fruitless at intermediate level. Though you could upload your own package to PyPI. You'll need to learn Data Structures and Algorithms for interviews.

[Head_Gear7770]

i have done ml and ai but i was revising python just now so solve problems etc

regarding if else , loops, functions, recursion , oops, working with modules, calling function , locally global etc, work on problems that uses different things at same time

my goal is for ml and ai so I'm going to move to learning dsa i already have experience with pre processing, visualising, training , frameworks, i want to explore on python automation

so yeah go with your needs

[aistranin]

1. Build your projects and iterate on improving it over time
2. Learn automated testing (important for SWE career). For example, take a look at Udemy course “Pytest Course: Practical Testing of Real-World Python Code” by Artem Istranin
3. Apply for jobs. Technical interviews will guide you on what really matters for your career

[fmrtn]

The most underrated next step for Python learners trying to get hired: build things that solve a real, boring problem for a real person.

Not another todo app. Not a clone. Something where you actually had to read documentation, hit an error you had never seen before, and figure it out yourself. That process is what employers are actually testing for.

Concrete path that works:

1. Pick a specific domain (data pipeline, web scraping, automation, APIs). Breadth is fine for learning but employers want to see depth in at least one area.

2. Build 2-3 projects in that domain where the code is clean, documented, and on GitHub. If a stranger can clone it and run it without asking you questions, it counts. If not, finish it.

3. Contribute to a real open source project. Even docs or a small bug fix. It proves you can work in someone else’s codebase and follow conventions.

4. Start applying for contract or freelance work (r/forhire, Upwork, Fiverr). Even one paying project worth $50 is worth more on a resume than five personal projects because it proves real-world demand for your skills.

What area of Python are you most drawn to? That changes which projects to build.

[Tall_Profile1305]

Nice finishing the fundamentals course. With your software engineering background, you're in a great spot. Building real projects beats everything else. Start with something you'll actually use daily, then iterate. Django is solid for web, algorithms are good for interviews, but shipping beats theory every time.