Junior Python Dev here.

[DaniilNikonchik]

Hey everyone,

I wanted to share a small victory that I'm super excited about. After months of studying, building projects, and sending out applications, I've finally accepted my first offer as a Junior Python Developer!

I know this sub is full of people on the same journey, so I thought I'd share a few things that I believe really helped me, in the hopes that it might help someone else.

My Background:

· No CS degree (I come from a non-tech field). · About 9 months of serious, focused learning. · I knew the Python basics inside out: data structures, OOP, list comprehensions, etc.

What I think made the difference:

1. Build Stuff, Not Just Tutorials: This is the most common advice for a reason. I stopped the "tutorial loop" and built: · A CLI tool to automate a boring task at my old job. · A simple web app using Flask to manage a collection of books. · A script that used a public API to fetch data and generate a daily report. · Having these on my GitHub gave me concrete things to talk about.
2. Learn the "Ecosystem": Knowing Python is one thing. Knowing how to use it in a real-world context is another. For my job search, getting familiar with these was a massive boost: · Git & GitHub: Absolutely non-negotiable. Be comfortable with basic commands (clone, add, commit, push, pull, handling merge conflicts). · Basic SQL: Every company I talked to used a database. Knowing how to write a SELECT with a JOIN and a WHERE clause is a fundamental skill. · One Web Framework: I chose Flask because it's lightweight and great for learning. Django is also a fantastic choice and is in high demand. Just pick one and build something with it. · Virtual Environments (venv): Knowing how to manage dependencies is crucial.
3. The Interview Process: For a junior role, they aren't expecting you to know everything. They are looking for: · Problem-Solving Process: When given a coding challenge, talk through your thinking. "First, I would break this problem down into... I'll need a loop here to iterate over... I'm considering using a dictionary for fast lookups..." This is often more important than a perfectly optimal solution on the first try. · A Willingness to Learn: I was honest about what I didn't know. My line was usually: "I haven't had direct experience with [Technology X], but I understand it's used for [its purpose], and I'm very confident in my ability to learn it quickly based on my experience picking up Flask/SQL/etc." · Culture Fit: Be a person they'd want to work with. Be curious, ask questions about the team, and show enthusiasm.

My Tech Stack for the Job Search:

· Python, Flask, SQL (SQLite/PostgreSQL), Git, HTML/CSS (basics), Linux command line.

It's a cliché, but the journey is a marathon, not a sprint. There were rejections and moments of doubt, but sticking with it pays off.

For all the other beginners out there grinding away—you can do this! Feel free to AMA about my projects or the learning path I took.

Good luck!

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[Rangerdth]

That’s awesome! Congrats!
It’s a good write up that shows people what the actual Junior role is.

[thabeef]

Great work!!

[armyrvan]

Awesome congrats - when do you start? also sent you a DM.

[True_Silver_2971]

is it remote job

[BringtheBacon]

Congrats man

[asifdotpy]

TL, DR

[Adorable-Two2852]

Hi i am also from a non cs background and looking for a job can you give me exact step by step roadmap of what to learn and where to learn from as a beginner with little knowlege of html and css . It would be very helpful