Python is a high-level programming language and one of the world's most popular programming languages.
It's particularly popular because its syntax (the rules that define how you write in it) is very readable and the language is also open source, which means its code is accessible to anyone to be altered and improved upon as they see fit.
If you choose to learn Python as your only programming language or alongside other programming languages, here are the kinds of jobs and careers you could potentially work in.
Naturally, not all of these jobs will be immediately accessible just because you know Python and many of them require many other skills and knowledge in other areas, but these are potential options that may require Python coding skills.
Python's Pivotal Role in Artificial Intelligence
It seems like you can't get away from Artificial Intelligence (AI) nowadays and while programming languages like Java, C++, R, Lisp, Prolog, JavaScript, MATLAB, and Julia are also very useful, Python is the most popular programming language for AI.
There are plenty of careers in AI including machine learning, data science, AI research, computer vision, natural language processing, robotics, AI software, deep learning, quality assurance, and even ethics.
If you're planning on working in or with AI, Python is likely to be one of the key hard skills you should have.
With so many different roles and careers springing up in AI, it's difficult to say exactly how much you can earn, but the average salaries paid in the AI sector are said to be around $150,000 per year.
Find out more on how to master the basics of Python in our guide.
Python's Influence on Cybersecurity
Python is a popular choice for cybersecurity as it's used for penetration testing, network security, and writing security tools.
To become a cybersecurity analyst, it's a good idea to learn how to use a programming language like Python and even some other programming languages like C, C++, PHP, Perl, or Java.
Beyond that, there are many different cybersecurity qualifications including college degrees or the cybersecurity qualifications available from the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) such as the Security+, CYSA+, and Network+ are also useful.
Cybersecurity analysts make around $110,000 per year while cybersecurity engineers make an average of $128,000 per year.
Many Data Engineers Use Python
A data engineer works in data management and analytics and will likely design data architecture, develop data pipelines, integrate data, stream data processing, or script automation tools.
Data engineers can also work with data scientists and analysts and in addition to programming languages like Python and Java, they'll also likely need to design effective data models.
Bachelor's degrees in computer science or related fields are useful and you can expect to get into data engineering after 4 or 5 years of higher or tertiary education.
The average data engineer can earn around $127,000 per year.
Python is Essential in Data Science
Data scientists tend to use math and programming to understand complex datasets. They do this through analytics and statistics.
Data scientists need to understand data collection, preprocessing, feature engineering, machine learning modelling, and statistical analysis.
The most common route into data science is through a bachelor's degree in data science, but there are also boot camps and short courses that aspiring data scientists might also want to consider.
Common programming languages for data scientists include R, SQL, Julia, Java, Scala, MATLAB, and SAS.
The average salary for a data scientist is around $124,000 per year.
DevOps Engineers Need for Python
DevOps Engineers bridge the gap between development (dev) and operations (ops). In software development, DevOps engineers typically facilitate cooperation between the development and operations professionals. They also try to make processes more efficient, often through automation.
To become a DevOps Engineer, you need to have an understanding of networks, cloud computing, pipelines, scripting, and people.
As well as Python, aspiring DevOps engineers may also be interested in programming languages like Bash, Ruby, JavaScript, Groovy, Perl, or PowerShell.
In the US, the average DevOps Engineer salary is about $133,000 and DevOps is considered one of the best tech jobs in the country.
Using Python for Financial Analysis
Since Python is really useful for data analysis and statistical modelling, it's often used in the world of finance, especially when it comes to data.
A financial analyst can use their Python skills to retrieve and clean data from a variety of sources like APIs, databases, or the web.
Python can also be used in financial modelling, machine learning in finance, risk management, financial reporting, and natural language processing, which can be used to analyse non-numerical data like financial news reports.
There are quite a few different averages for how much financial analysts earn exactly with salaries ranging between $76,000 and $90,000 per year, depending on who you ask.
Learn about how to use functions in Python in our article.
Explore How Python Enhances Key Aspects of Game Development
When it comes to game development, Python isn't usually the first programming language used. However, Python programming skills can be used in prototyping, automation, and scripting.
For web-based games, Java and JavaScript are popular choices while C++ and C# are often used in game engines.
Game developers usually need a bachelor's degree and while one specifically in game development won't be necessary, majors in math, computer science, software engineering, etc. can all be highly valued by employers.
The average game developer's salary is thought to be somewhere between $90,000 and $116,000.
Using Python as a Network Engineer
Network engineers create and manage computer networks and Python is a commonly used programming language in this area because it's great for automation. For example, network engineers can use Python scripts to automatically configure multiple devices on a network at the same time rather than having to manually configure them.
For network engineering, it's recommended that you study an undergraduate degree or short course in a related field like software engineering, computer science, etc.
Beyond that, you also have the option to look for qualifications specific to network engineering such as CompTIA A+, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+, and CompTIA Project+.
The average salary for a network engineer in the US is around $96,000.
Work as a Python Developer
Put simply, anyone who writes and designs code in Python is a Python developer. This is probably the most obvious career path for somebody who wants to work with Python.
Due to the nature of the Python programming language, Python developers tend to work server-side and support front-end developers.
The average salary for a Python developer is $123,000 a year. However, the salary for entry-level developers is closer to $93,000 a year with the potential for senior Python developers to earn $132,000.
Web Development with Python
Web developers build websites and while they usually use programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, there are applications where languages like Python can also be useful.
As we mentioned for Python developers, the Python programming language is mostly used in back-end web development.
The average web developer salary in the US is $81,000 a year. Backend web developers average $80,000 a year, while front-end developers are earning closer to an average of $112,000 a year.
How to Learn Python
Most of these career choices require at least an undergraduate degree in computer science or a related field. Most college students in these areas will have options to take classes in computer programming and Python.
However, for those who don't or those who learn a different programming language, there are plenty of ways to learn these skills.
Teach Yourself Python
Python is an open-source programming language and the Python community has plenty of resources you can use to learn more about it. The official Python documentation is worth bookmarking and regularly referring to while you learn.
The Python community is also incredibly helpful and you can reach out to them online when you're stuck or need help with whatever you're learning.
You can also look to online learning platforms like Codecademy, Coursera, EdX and other MOOCs, or go old-school and even get books on coding in Python.
Start your learning today and find out more about data structures in Python.
Study Python with a Private Tutor
A private Python tutor can teach you how to code in Python or assist you with your college studies. On the Superprof website, for example, you can find Python tutors all over the US and around the world.
There's a tutor for every student regardless of their level and you can search for local face-to-face tutors or broaden your search to include online tutors.
Generally, face-to-face tutors will charge more than their online counterparts because they usually travel to their students. Online tutors can schedule more sessions each week and don't have to travel, making them more affordable.
For students on a tight budget, you can look for group Python tutoring. While these won't offer the fully tailored one-on-one tutoring that the others offer, they can offer a very affordable alternative to learning Python that will be far cheaper.
The ideal tutoring solution depends on you, how you like to learn, the available tutors, and your budget. Here are some of the pros and cons of each kind of tutoring at a glance.
+ Tailored tutoring
+ Learn however you want
+ Learn at home or in public places
- More expensive
+ Tailored tutoring
+ Cheaper than face-to-face tutoring
- Requires a good and reliable internet connection
+ Cheapest kind of tutoring
+ Learn from and with your peers
- Fewer opportunities for tailored tuition
Still not convinced? Read about why you should learn Python!
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