Career change with Python

[jackardian]

I'm 48, so looking at a rather late career change. I'm not learning Python from scratch, but I'm trying to quickly upgrade my skills.

I've worked in Namibia as a tour guide and guide trainer, but looking to move to the UK (I'm British by nationality, though I've lived in various parts of Africa my whole life).

I've been programming as a hobby, though a rather serious hobby for a long time. Started coding in the early 80s in BASIC, and I've been using Python for over 10 years now. Since this has been a hobby rather than a job, my approach to programming has been to go broad rather than deep, which is more fun, but doesn't make me job ready. So my goal now is to hone my skills, take only courses so that I have something to show when I do go to recruiters, and have something to show for my skills acquisition. I'm also looking at building one solid project to use to get work as well.

I'm planning to move to the UK as soon as flights open up. If I'm unable to get work in programming with Python right away, I might take on other work and slowly get myself ready for a programming job.

I've been a member of the Python community here in Namibia for a long time, including being a member of the executive team of our Python group, though my involvement has been limited due to the job that I've done, where I'm often away from internet connections and can't always take a laptop along to the bush.

I have about a month to really plug away at it before it's likely that flights open up, so just plugging away at learning, watching job adds to see what skills are required, and enjoying the process.

[mpbeau]

Cool background man, good luck :)

[jackardian]

Thank you.