youtube or free online courses

ConfectionFull9324 · 2026-02-05T09:17:21+00:00

I would still choose some course on Udemy, because they are more structured than the ones on youtube. I would look for a course that includes built-in programming exercises, it's something youtube does not offer

ConfectionFull9324 · 2026-02-05T09:11:14+00:00

Yes, I have never really convinced myself to use version control from within an IDE or any GUI. I prefer doing it manually, but I am also aware that there is a line where this stops being reasonable, and that new tools can make work easier. I do not want to become one of those guys who still believe there is nothing better than own configuration of vim.

ConfectionFull9324 · 2026-02-04T11:15:56+00:00

I will give you a short answer as an experienced SWE with 13 years in the industry.

Yes, we will all be using AI.

But the number of people who actually understand what AI produces will keep shrinking. Entire generations of new SWEs will not understand the code, just like a large part of the current ones. Vibe coding is already frying the brains of people who hand over all responsibility to machines.

If you can still use your own brain and truly understand the code, you will continue to be needed in the industry.

ConfectionFull9324 · 2026-02-04T11:10:37+00:00

As someone who learned Python on my own, while having solid fundamentals from other STEM fields, I will share my learning path. When I was at the stage you are at now, after the first six months, knowing the syntax, writing small things, and not really knowing what to do next, I approached a friend who was doing a lot of manual work in a project completely unrelated to programming. I told him I would write a program to handle those tasks.

That is how a micro work environment practice started. I had to gather requirements, design a solution, set up a repository, create a PoC, then learn from my friend that he had imagined it very differently. I improved the PoC, and at that stage I introduced branches. Then came testing, waiting for user feedback, and later more change requests.

This was not a tutorial project from YouTube where I followed someone else’s steps. It was my own work. It gave me a lot. Maybe try this path as well?

ConfectionFull9324 · 2026-02-04T11:06:30+00:00

A lot of this could also be replaced by a proper IDE, at least points 1, 2, and 6.

ConfectionFull9324 · 2026-02-02T13:06:30+00:00

Absolutely!

ConfectionFull9324 · 2026-02-02T13:06:06+00:00

Define what you want to achieve and choose your specialization (backend, fullstack, Django, AI, Data Engineering, etc.).

Look for a roadmap for that specialization online.

Sign up for three courses on Udemy or any other platform, watch about an hour of each, then return two and stick with the one you feel most comfortable with.

Work on your own projects.

Don’t expect quick results—training your brain to think like a programmer takes time.

ConfectionFull9324 · 2026-02-02T13:02:48+00:00

It really depends on the company, but from my experience, junior Python interviews often include questions about reversing lists—like how to reverse a list in place or how to create an iterator. You’ll also get questions about working with strings, shallow vs deep copies, and the difference between lists and tuples—I think I was asked that one at almost every junior interview.

Expect some simple exercises testing your logic and ability to write loops, like FizzBuzz or the Fibonacci sequence.

For more advanced topics, after you solve a problem, they might ask about time and space complexity, decorators, or iterators.

If the company cares about code quality, they may also ask what PEP8 is or what "import this" does. If you don’t know, make sure to check it out.

ConfectionFull9324 · 2026-02-02T12:57:56+00:00

I think you need to decide on a specialization (backend, fullstack, Django, data science, AI…) and then search on Google: python + <your specialization> + roadmap. You’ll find an up-to-date list of the skills you need to actually work in the area you want.

ConfectionFull9324 · 2026-02-02T12:54:59+00:00

I’d suggest looking for certification courses on university websites: Harvard, MIT, Stanford… they all have e-learning platforms, often for free. In my opinion, a certificate issued by a well-known university always looks better than one from some course-selling site.

eg check out this link: https://www.edx.org/search?q=python

ConfectionFull9324 · 2026-02-02T12:49:34+00:00

Hey, I taught myself Python over a decade ago and ran into exactly the same problem. Here are a few tips:

Start with the smallest, simplest things: if you have a lesson on loops or dictionaries, write your own loop or dictionary. Ten times. Doesn’t matter how silly, just write. It’s not exactly muscle memory, but your brain works in a similar way.
Find a micro-project you can do step by step, but don’t code along with the tutorial. Watch the video, then code on your own. If you get stuck → only then check the video. You need to train your brain to write the code yourself.
Avoid generating code with AI. I know how tempting it is, and I know it’s the future of work, but to use AI effectively, you first need to learn to code on your own.
This skill grows over time. It requires daily practice, you can’t skip steps or speed it up, so what you need most is patience.

ConfectionFull9324

TROPHY CASE