How to become a Python developer

Learn how to become a Python developer with these 8 practical tips. A Comprehensive Guide to Skills, Career Choices, and Securing the Best Job Opportunities.

June 23, 2023

9 minutes

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How to become a Python developer

A young black woman, developer, working at the office, writing codes on her white Macbook with colleagues around her.

You can become a Python developer without a specific background or experience. It all starts with your abilities and Python programming language. 

Python is one of the most popular programming languages. If you love computers and want to advance your career, Python is the perfect choice. In this post, we will help you how to become a Python developer regardless of your experience. Let’s start.

What does a Python developer do?

Python developers can create web and game development. They can also write a new programming language or do quantitative analysis. Such developers can do various programming tasks. This includes machine learning (MI), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, data analytics, and visualization.

A Python developer is a software engineer. They are working in Python programming language. They can work on various projects. From large-scale corporate apps to small, personal projects. A Python developer's job is also to:

  • Write code that automates tasks;
  • Design and create computer apps;
  • Design and create mobile apps;
  • Locating and correcting errors
  • Improve efficiency;
  • Improve the user experience.

Is It hard to become a Python developer?

If you already know other programming languages, becoming a Python developer will be easy. This includes knowledge of Java and C++. If not, you can still learn it. It all depends on your skills and time. Without experience, you'll need more time to learn the language and its syntax. The good news is that several resources are available to assist you.

Online courses, videos, and training can help you quickly learn the language. An average programmer can master the basics of the Python language in six to eight weeks. A bachelor's degree will take four years and a year or two of employment experience.

Are Python developers in demand?

Yes, Python developers are in demand. Companies are searching for Python developers. This is because they need front-end and back-end development. According to Indeed, the average annual Python developer salary in the US is around $115,000. Because of the strong demand and high income, learning Python in 2023 is a wise career option.

Top firms like Google and Netflix use Python for back-end services. Here is why Python is so popular and is in high demand. 

  • Python is simpler than Ruby;
  • Python is more responsive than Java;
  • Python provides greater readability and versatility than PHP;
  • Python is more suitable for machine learning tasks.
  • Python is popular among startups since it is cheaper.
  • Python, unlike C, is becoming a dominant language.

All these advantages make Python popular. Also, it helps developers to choose Python as their career. Thanks to its popularity, Python also has a massive community. You can start off by searching for freelancing as a Python developer. Once you get experience, start your search for the Python position. 

How to become a Python developer?

A picture of a woman with her wedding ring on, writing codes, developing at the office on her two computer screens next to a coffee cup.

Here are 8 steps on how to become a Python developer

What type of Python developer do you want to be

Here are the 5 most popular career paths you can choose as a Python developer.

DevOps engineer

As a DevOps engineer, you will be in charge of automating and simplifying the software development process. This includes establishing and managing cloud infrastructure. But it also means writing and maintaining scripts for a variety of tools.

AI and ML

You can become a developer of artificial intelligence and machine learning. You will be responsible for designing and developing systems that use such algorithms and techniques. They test data and create models which they test.

Software developer

Python software developer design, create, test, and manage programs. But, they also

  •  Write codes;
  • Fix problems;
  • Test software applications;

They can also do software design and collaborate with other front-end developers.

Data analyst

Python data analysts gather, organize, and analyze data. Data analysts can advance in their careers. They can also work as software team lead or manager. This means supervising the work of other data analysts and advising them on how to solve problems.

Data scientist

Data scientists create and use machine learning models and data analysis. These activities involve:

  • Data organization; 
  • Cleaning;
  • Preparation for analysis;
  • Develop and optimize predictive models;
  • Present data;
  • Convey the results to stakeholders.

Learn the basics of Python

Start learning the language. How to write, read and understand its syntax. Python is a language with many syntax specifics that can confuse newbies. Learning how it works can assist you in avoiding typical errors. This will also save you time in the long run.

You can start learning the basics of Python by taking:

  • University degree;
  • Python programming courses;
  • Online tutorials;
  • Coding Bootcamp.

It will help you learn how to read and write in the Python language. 

Develop your skills

Work on Python projects to develop your skills. You can:

  • Try to make a game. There are some great libraries available (like Pyglet, Panda3D, and Pygame) to help you create a game with Python.
  • Create a website. Come up with a website concept and build it. Using frameworks like Django or Flask is a great way to get Python skills.
  • Build a web service. Another way of developing your skills is by building a web service.

Explore Python frameworks

Explore frameworks. Frameworks are pre-packaged collections of code and functionality. They help you create complex apps.  By experimenting with Python frameworks, you can learn the syntax and structure. You can also have a better understanding of how to develop programs.

Read Python coding books

Even if you're a professional Python developer, there's always something new to learn. Python coding books can provide you with new information. You will become more confident as you learn more.

Here are some of the most popular Python books:

  • Automate the Boring Stuff with Python
  • Fluent Python;
  • Python Cookbook;
  • Head First Python;
  • Python Distilled.

Create GitHub profile

GitHub is a platform where developers share their knowledge. They also communicate with each other, discuss and create. As a Python developer, having a GitHub profile is essential. It allows other developers to see your work portfolio.

It also enables employers to learn about your skills and coding style. Furthermore, you can use a GitHub profile to show off your contributions. This is great when you are searching for a new job.

Expand your Python knowledge

Constantly improve your Python experience. Stay competitive with the following Python libraries:

  • Theano
  • TensorFlow
  • NumPy

Knowing all the libraries would be ideal. But starting to learn one by one will be enough. Create projects based on what you learn in these libraries. Share them on GitHub. This will help your GitHub representation.

Contribute to open-source projects

Contribute to other people’s GitHub repositories. This will show your ability to operate as part of a team. Some prominent open-source Python projects to which you can contribute are:

  • DataFrames Pipenv: Python Development Workflow for Humans
  • Chatistics: Python scripts to turn your Messenger/Hangouts/WhatsApp/Telegram chat logs into DataFrames.
  • Py2bpf - Python-to-Berkeley Packet Filter bytecode (BPF) translator.

Where to find Python developer jobs?

Two colleagues, developers, at the office, working, and developing on their computers in the office.
Image by yanalya on Freepik

You can find Python developer jobs on many platforms. From freelancing to that remote job as a Python developer. Here is where to look.

Job boards

There are several employment sites where you find available job positions.  Some of these sites are:

  • AngelList 
  • Indeed
  • Glassdoor

They allow you to set up alerts. These alerts will notify you when there are new job openings that match your interests and skills. To prepare you for your job, check our article about Python developer interview questions.

LinkedIn

With over 600 million professional profiles, you can easily find a job ad. LinkedIn will also help you find a job faster. This is because most hiring managers and recruiters use this platform.

You can easily find job positions thanks to LinkedIn filters. These filters include:

  • Location
  • Job title
  • Skill set

Slack communities 

Check Slack communities. Indie Hackers and #devchat are great groups. Their focus is on software development. You can meet other developers and learn best practices. They're also great for asking questions and solving problems. 

In conclusion 

Python programming language is becoming more and more popular. Many people are choosing this as their career path. If you are one of them, we are here to help. Python is much simpler than Ruby. It is more responsive than Java. Its community is getting bigger by the day. 

And, the best thing, it is easy to learn. Much easier than Java. Read these 8 tips on how to become a Python developer. Master your skills even without any prior experience. Choose what type of Python developer you want to be. And, start your search for a Python job!

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