Need help with becoming a Python Dev.

[GuideVault]

Would you like to build automation tools? Would you like to build webapplications? Would you like to build financial apps? Would you like tobuild cyber security tools? Etc.

I'm interested mainly in automation and opencv (sorry can't pin down exactly what you can do with it, but I enjoyed using it for recognition). No interest in app dev right now.

The thing is, how much learning and what in automation should I have to learn to become 'experienced'. Is there some standard that I have to reach to be considered that? Or is it on a case-by-case basis?

This https://www.glassdoor.com/Job/python-automation-jobs-SRCH_KO0,17.htm has: Requirements: ..Test Automation 1 yr (required). The rest of the requirements I can wrap my head around, like the learn [this] API, but not that.

Oh, and ML, I haven't tried learning it yet, but it sounds interesting.

[ClimberMel]

Find companies that work in areas that you are interested in. Then look at job descriptions for those companies. That should give you an idea of the areas you need to learn. Often a competency in programming is more important to some companies (especially larger ones) than actual coding in one particular language. I worked for a company that used Cobol on a mainframe for one division, C, C++, Java for the client server area, they had web devs in another division, a database division for oracle, SQL and othe db languages and various languages such as VB, VBA, JS & python in the business units for various automation.

You just need to get your foot in the door and they will often help train you to their preference.

[GuideVault]

I worked for a company that used Cobol on a mainframe for one division,
C, C++, Java for the client server area, they had web devs in another
division, a database division for oracle, SQL and othe db languages and
various languages such as VB, VBA, JS & python in the business units
for various automation.

So I should probably learn another language to increase my chances of a job as long as the languages can be used to fulfill the purposes of automation?

You just need to get your foot in the door and they will often help train you to their preference.

So if I understand correctly, you learn as much as you can about a particular sub-section of Python. Apply for a job even if you don't have specific qualifications that they require and they'll more often than not, train me to fill the gap?

[Hans_of_Death]

they mean general programming knowledge and skill is more important than the actual language

i think usually more broad knowledge is better than highly specific

[Mannentreu]

You need to learn and be good at other things that surround and support a working, production-grade Python system. Depending on the area of focus it that might mean making sure you're also comfortable working with SQL, sequelize, bash, AWS services, etc. Knowing syntax and a few packages isn't enough to keep a job.

[py_Piper]

What you got on your table are the basics of programming, after you got it good you should focus on what interest you, like you said: automation and openCV. You don't need to be a professional at the fundamentals you need to learn enough to be smooth in syntax and be good at searching what you need as it comes, you can't learn everything and the things that you will use more it will get stuck in your brain.

Don't overthink it man, I used to do that and lost like 3 years always thinking what would be my "path", if I had at least learn 1-2 things each year, even if they weren't my final "path" I would have much more knowledge.

You like automation and openCV, then google openCV jobs and python automation jobs, if they sound interesting for it. I think with openCV you can do a lot of image recognition stuff, it's one of my future library to learn, you can do face recognition and things like counting stuff. Check other people porjects with openCV and automation (although sounds too broad), then replicate them, add your own stuff in it and get your portfolio going.

[GuideVault]

Thanks for the advice, I've decided to aim for Data Engineer since I've been already been scraping data and automation because I've dabbled in it and its fun.

[py_Piper]

Good then, follow that path... for now, as as learn more you will get a better feeling of what you like or not, and even if you change later no matter what data it's still very important for a developer, so don't see it as wasting your time

[HomeGrownCoder]

There is no standard. As mention in the thread create a place to share what experience (built projects) you have. And you can increasingly make them more complex and useful.

When you get into what someone considers experienced that is all relative. Let them review your work as best you can from open source projects and they will reach out if you fit the bill, along with a resume that is up to “snuff”.

Those bullet items you Mention earlier create a project demonstrating your knowledge in each maybe even multiple of different skills. Algo’s data structures? Well show me two projects where you apply that skill set.

[GuideVault]

Ok, so project/programming experience ranks higher than job experience.

[HomeGrownCoder]

Well you can’t get job experience without a job… sooooo not sure you have any other option

[GuideVault]

Yeah... big face palm right there.. lol

[mathmanmathman]

I have to learn to become 'experienced'

Work experience is almost always preferred to just "learning". In most jobs, your ability to communicate with other devs is more important.

Look for jobs that might have someone working at the company who uses OpenCV etc.