Python is one of the most popular programming languages among web developers today. In fact, BrainStation’s  2020 Digital Survey reveals that roughly 25 percent of web developers use Python at work. Because of its simple syntax and overall readability, mastering it is a lot easier. That’s probably why it’s rising in popularity among other languages like JavaScript and SQL.

Now some of you might think that mastering Python can be overwhelming, but fret not! This article will walk you through the fundamentals you need to learn, skills you must acquire, career opportunities, and responsibilities—basically, everything you need to know before landing a job as a Python developer!

What is Python used for?

Before you start mastering this programming language, it’s very important that you know what Python is used for. Known for being a high-level, general-purpose programming language, Python is used for various domains such as software development, web development, AI and machine learning, fintech, and even data science:

Software development

Many software developers use Python as a support language for build control, automated continuous compilation, and testing, as well as bug tracking and project management of software. 

Web and Internet development

Both back-end and front-end developers can utilize Python for web development projects because of its approachable syntax and widespread server-side. Python-based frameworks like Django, Pyramid, Flask, and Plone are ideal for complex web development projects. In fact, huge web platforms like YouTube, Spotify, Google, and Reddit rely heavily on Python in keeping their site running.

AI and machine learning

Python plays a very important role in the development of AI and machine learning. Data scientists can use Python’s prebuilt libraries such as SimpleAI, EasyAI, AIMA, and pyDatalog in creating AI projects. Meanwhile, PyBrain, PyML, SciKit, and MDP can be used for machine learning.

FinTech

Aside from AI, Python is also a common tool in the FinTech realm. Extensive libraries such as Pandas, Numpy, Cython, SciPy, and PyTables are commonly used by financial analysts in

conducting qualitative and quantitative analyses in the market. Top FinTech companies like Zopa, Thought Machine, Robinhood, Kensho, and Stockspot, have Python included in their tech stack. 

Data Science

Python offers a wide variety of libraries that can make a data scientist’s work much easier:

• Data mining – Scrapy, BeautifulSoup
• Data processing – Pandas, NumPy, SciPy, SciKit-learn, PyTorch, Tensorflow, XGBoost, Keras
• Data Visualization – Matplotlib, Plotly, Bokeh, Seaborn, pydot

These tools are vital for data scientists to finish their tasks much easier.

Kick-start your journey as a Python Developer

Now that you already have a background on the different uses of Python in various domains, it’s time to get ready to take your first step as a future Python developer with these steps:

• Familiarize yourself with the coding language.

Before learning how to read and write codes in Python, you must first familiarize yourself with basic coding concepts like syntax, variables, data structures, control structures, and tools. Once you grasp the idea of these fundamentals, learning a certain programming language will be much easier.

• Start writing from scratch.

After having a clear understanding of how Python works, you may now want to start writing Python code from scratch by watching video tutorials or reading some programming textbooks. However, if you want to take learning to the next level, you may take online Python classes, or hire an online tutor to have one-on-one training. 

This can give you the opportunity of quickly mastering how to read and write in Python, as well as the feeling of being a Python master in just a short period of time!

• Try creating simple projects.

Once you master reading and writing Python codes, you can try challenging yourself by doing any of these beginner projects:

• Password generator
• Games like interactive quizzes, design-based games, etc.
• Website
• Alarm clock
• Calculator

The key here is to be able to apply the concepts you learned in creating projects that can be further developed in the future. If a project doesn’t go well on the first try, just keep doing it until it’s 100% polished. Along the process of constantly fixing the project, you’ll notice how your skills are being improved.

• Build and expand your Python portfolio.

Building a portfolio is essential especially for those who are planning on starting their career as professional Python developers. This is going to be the reflection of your skills, which would allow employers to assess how qualified you are in the position you’re applying for. So, if you’re planning on becoming a professional web developer in the future, you might want to focus more on creating web development projects like product landing pages, search engine results pages, SEO-friendly websites, etc.

Is it worth becoming a Python developer today?

Obviously, the answer is yes! As the demand for Python programming continues to grow, more career opportunities can be made available for everyone. Not to mention the high salary that comes with landing a career in this field, having first-hand experience in improving the technology that we have today is a privilege not everyone gets to experience! So if you’re looking for a future-proof skill that’s in-demand across all industries, learning Python programming might be the one for you!

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