Python is a computer programming language used by major companies like NASA, Reddit, and even Google. The creator of Python, Guido van Rossum, named the language after his favorite television show: Monty Python’s Flying Circus! Python is more concise than other languages and it is text-based, which makes it easy to read, write, and understand.
Because of this, many professionals consider it the perfect programming language for beginners. It is also an incredibly versatile skill to have when entering the job market. Skills in Python can be applied in areas like data science, graphic design, and artificial intelligence development.
Common Uses of Python
Python is a multi-purpose language that can be used in a variety of ways. One of the most common applications of Python is in web development. Some of the most popular websites in the world were created with Python, including YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest. Python is also ideal for web development because it allows you to automate redundant tasks, leaving more time for bigger tasks and therefore increasing productivity.
Python is also the ideal choice for anything involving Artificial Intelligence (AI) for a handful of important reasons. First, Python is a very simplistic language. This means that AI developers can create stable systems and spend more time focusing on solving complex problems instead of troubleshooting glitches that another language might create. Python also has a considerable amount of libraries and frameworks to choose from. In simple terms, these are pre-written bits of code that developers write and share to make common tasks easier to do.
Careers That Require Python Skills
Regardless of when you’re ready to enter the workforce, learning Python will ensure that you have a wide range of career options waiting for you. The US Department of Labor estimates that over half a million new jobs will be created in this area over the next ten years. This is partly because our world is moving further into a digital space and writing code is no longer limited to computers. Python can be used to develop various household devices, down to lightbulbs and refrigerators. As technology continues to diversify, so too will the available careers that require skills in Python.
Data science is one of the most common career paths that utilizes Python, and it’s also one of the most lucrative: data scientists make an average annual salary of nearly $100,000. But what do data scientists do every day? Generally speaking, their responsibility is to help businesses translate a huge amount of information into solutions they may not have otherwise been able to solve. For example, data scientists have saved major airlines millions of dollars by reducing the time an airplane is spent idling. Data science is also exciting because it can be applied in virtually every industry.
Another career option that requires extensive Python programming knowledge is Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). This field is becoming more necessary as work demands increase in complexity and are no longer able to be done efficiently by humans. For example, the healthcare industry can use AI technology to predict the global spread of multiple diseases. A human simply could not analyze such a large amount of data at once, but AI does not have the same limitations. Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Engineers are offered a wide range of salaries, but they are typically over $100,000 annually.
Pros and Cons of Using Python
Programmers who love working with Python recommend learning this language because it is very simple to learn. You can look up several examples of how to code in Python and then view the same command in another language. Even from a technologically uneducated perspective, at first glance, it's clear that Python is easy to understand. Other proponents of Python argue that its applications are much more applicable to the current job market. Python is the primary language used in fields like data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence; all of these careers pay very well and are projected to grow significantly within the next ten years.
Learning a skill as robust and complex as Python can improve your critical thinking skills and keep your brain healthy. Programming with Python encourages you to use a combination of logical and creative thinking, which activates multiple parts of the brain at one time. Studies also show that coding with Python stimulates the part of the brain that is responsible for logical reasoning, meaning that this strength could be applied in areas outside of Python as well.
Like any programming language, Python has its share of disadvantages as well. It often runs slower than other languages, and it is also used on fewer devices and fewer platforms. Perhaps the biggest thing to consider when deciding if you’d rather learn Python before another language is that many feel the transition to Python is easier to grasp than it is the other way around; because the language is so simplistic, people who learn Python first sometimes feel overwhelmed when trying to learn other languages.
Learn Python With Career Centers
If you’re interested in boosting your Python skills, check out all of the Python courses at Career Centers. There is a twelve-hour Intro to Python Programming course available which was designed specifically for beginners. If you’re looking for something a little more intensive, you could consider taking the Python Programming Bootcamp. This course is also open to beginners, but it covers more than an introductory course would. For a fully immersive experience in Python, you can take a 90-hour Python Developer Certificate course. This course is offered on a full-time or part-time schedule and gives you all the essential skills to become a well-rounded Python developer. Another option for a more extensive program is Career Centers’ Data Science Certificate, which combines multiple Python classes and bootcamps such as SQL, Machine Learning, and Automation.