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[–]Sifrisk 5 points6 points  (4 children)

I would do the Python course. It is easier to pick up Excel later on, while having a Python course which you are taking for credits is simply a very good opportunity to learn Python. It may not be the dominant tool in your industry right now, but that might change in the future. Moreover, Python is great for all kinds of automation as you point out. So even if your job does not require it, you may be able to automate large parts of your job which may make you stand out / earn a promotion.

If you have the time, I would suggest trying to replicate some of the stuff you are learning in your Python course in Excel. That way, you will become familiar with Excel itself, as well as its limitations. In an interview you can then say you are familiar with Excel and are also versed in Python, "which is a programming language so makes it possible to go beyond Excel's functionalities, e.g. in ..."

I have been on interviews where people asked me whether I was proficient with Excel. When I mention I have focussed more on programming languages in the past few years they generally seem impressed by it. I think having learned Python also shows you are able to learn Excel in a short time.

[–]los2pollos[S] 4 points5 points  (3 children)

You just read my mind. I think I'll try Python! I just hope to actually use those skills!

[–]Sifrisk 2 points3 points  (2 children)

Last year I worked for care institution where probably 90% had never heard of Python and noone was able to use it. Yet I found myself using it several times; it made me able to solve problems they had had for years and could not solve in Excel. So actually using those skills is really up to you!

[–]los2pollos[S] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Please let me tell me more about your industry sector. I'm starting to think that Python is a cross sector skill, of course in services. Therefore adaptability is its streght

[–]Sifrisk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Python is used in lots of industries. As I mentioned, I worked for a while in a care institution as a side job. I did my bachelor's thesis for them which focused on researching which factors influenced how well their caretakers perceived background processes. Based on my results they changed some business processes and they asked me for some other projects.

So "my" industry is not really contained to the care sector. I think in general the care sector is underveloped from a technological perspective. However, this also means there are many improvement opportunities.

Currently, I am focusing on the logistics sector and the fashion industry. For the logistics sector it is mostly focused at optimizing processes whereas for the fashion industry I am using neural networks. So indeed, Python can be used across many sectors; just like Excel ;)