In 2018 Python became the most popular programming language in the world. This ultimately impacts the increasing need for the Python developer profession to date.
The popularity of Python is not only because the programming language is quite simple and easy for novice programmers to learn.
However, Python can also be applied to several operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, and Mac.
Python’s advantages are what made this programming language begin to be used by many large companies such as Google, IBM, and Netflix.
This is also why, over the last few years, the profession of a Python developer has begun to be sought after by companies.
Interested in this rising profession? let’s take a look at the full explanation below, starting from the responsibilities to the skills needed.
How To Become Python Developer
Becoming a Python developer is a great career choice, as Python is one of the most popular programming languages in the world.
It is widely used in web development, data science, machine learning, and many other fields. If you’re interested in becoming a Python developer, here’s a complete guide to help you get started.
1. Build Your GitHub Repository
Your GitHub repository can serve as a powerful tool for showcasing your skills and experience when you’re applying for a position as a Python developer.
Recruiters can easily access your repository on the developer platform to view your work, eliminating the need to send samples of your work in separate files.
To make the most of this opportunity, be sure to add all of your Python projects and practice work to your GitHub repository. This includes everything from simple code snippets to larger projects that you’ve worked on.
Every piece of work you include can help demonstrate your skills and abilities to potential employers.
2. Write Readable Code
Writing clear and readable code is essential when you’re looking to build a career as a Python developer. When recruiters view your code on GitHub, they need to be able to understand what you’ve done and how you’ve done it.
To help you write code that is easy for others to read, you can use guidelines such as PEP 8 style guidelines. These guidelines provide recommendations on how to format and structure your code, including best practices for:
- Indentation
- Tabs and spaces
- Maximum line length
- Line breaks
- Blank lines
- Source file encoding
- String quotes
- White spaces in expressions
- Trailing commas
- Naming conventions
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that your code is easy to read and understand, which can help you stand out to recruiters and other potential employers.
3. Create Proper Documentation
Documentation plays an important role in making your code easy to understand and navigate. A good practice to follow is to include a README file within your GitHub repository.
This file should provide an overview of your project, including information about its purpose, the libraries used, and any other relevant details.
This will help others quickly understand the purpose and functionality of your code, and make it more accessible.
4. Read Other People’s Code Around Your Skill Level
Learning from others is a great way to improve your coding style as a Python developer. One of the best resources for this is GitHub, where you can find a wide variety of coding styles from developers of different skill levels.
You can start by browsing through code that is similar to your own skill level, and take note of the different styles that are out there.
Some popular developers on GitHub to check out include Fredrik Lundh, Kenneth Reitz, Armin Ronacher, Raymond Hettinger, Doug Hellmann, and Daniel Roy Greenfeld.
Each of these developers have unique and well-organized coding styles that you can learn from.
5. Read Books On Python Coding
As a Python developer, it’s important to always be open to learning new things. Even if you have a lot of experience, there’s always something new to discover in the world of Python coding.
One great way to continue your learning is through books. Reading books on Python programming can help you stay up-to-date on the latest developments and best practices, and increase your knowledge and confidence as a developer.
Here are some recommended books that you can consider to read:
- Python Crash Course by Eric Matthes
- Fluent Python by Luciano Ramalho
- Python Tricks: A Buffet of Awesome Python Features by Dan Bader
- Effective Python: 59 Specific Ways to Write Better Python by Brett Slatkin
- Python Cookbook by David Beazley and Brian K. Jones
- Automate the Boring Stuff with Python by Al Sweigart
- Python for Everybody by Dr. Charles Severance
- Think Python: How to Think Like a Computer Scientist by Allen B. Downey
- Python Machine Learning by Sebastian Raschka and Vahid Mirjalili
- Deep Learning with Python by Francois Chollet
6. Grow Your Python Skillset
To stay competitive and continue improving your skills as a Python developer, it’s important to actively grow your skillset. While it’s ideal to learn as many libraries and frameworks as possible, you can still make significant progress by mastering a few key ones.
One effective way to do this is by creating projects that utilize the libraries you are learning, and then sharing them on GitHub for others to see.
Not only does this help to improve your GitHub repository, but it also helps you retain the new knowledge by putting it into practice immediately.
You should understand how to work with some of the following Python libraries:
- NumPy – a library for numerical computing and scientific computing.
- pandas – a library for data analysis and manipulation.
- Matplotlib – a library for data visualization.
- Seaborn – a library for creating statistical graphics.
- Scikit-learn – a library for machine learning.
7. Master AI and Learning Machine in Python
Simply learning a programming language is not enough to become proficient in it. To truly master Python, you must also practice using it.
Two key areas where Python is widely used are Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning. To enhance your skills in these areas, it’s important to learn about the various algorithms used and then implement projects that utilize them.
This will not only help you to improve your understanding of Python but also to develop your skill set in these cutting-edge fields.
Some standard algorithms include:
- Liner regression
- K Means clustering
- Neural Networks
8. Accept Freelance Project
Gaining experience by writing code and creating projects is important, but it’s not the only way to become a Python developer. Another key aspect is to take on freelance projects from others. These projects, whether paid or unpaid, can provide valuable experience and help to build a portfolio of completed work that you can showcase to potential employers.
There are several platforms that can help you find freelance work as a Python developer, such as:
- Freelancer
- Upwork
- Twago
- PeoplePerHour
- Fiverr
- Truelancer
By taking on freelance projects through these platforms, you can gain real-world experience and build a portfolio of completed work, which will be beneficial in your journey to becoming a Python developer.
9. Make Open Source Contribution
One way to further develop your skills and showcase your abilities as a Python developer is by contributing to existing open-source projects on GitHub. By collaborating on others’ repositories, you can demonstrate your ability to be a team player and add value to existing work.
There are many popular open-source Python projects that you can contribute to, such as:
- Pipenv: A Python Development Workflow for Humans
- Chatistics: A set of Python scripts for parsing chat logs from Messenger, Hangouts, and Telegram into DataFrames
- Som-TCP: A project that uses self-organizing maps to solve the traveling salesman problem
- Py2bpf: A python to bpf (Berkeley Packet Filter bytecode) converter
By contributing to these or other open-source projects, you can gain valuable experience, build your skills, and showcase your abilities to potential employers.
10. Start a Blog and Write What You’ve Learner
Starting a blog can be a great way to establish credibility as a Python developer and showcase your skills and experience to potential employers.
Through your blog, you can share your journey as a developer, including your background, how you got started, the resources you used to learn, the projects you’ve worked on, and any other relevant information.
It can give recruiters a better sense of your coding style and experience, and help them to quickly understand your qualifications and potential as a developer.
11. Follow A Daily Schedule for Practice
Even if you have a strong grasp of the Python language, it’s important to continue coding regularly to maintain and improve your skills.
One way to do this is by setting aside time each day to write code, regardless of whether it’s simple or complex.
By doing this, you will keep the different aspects of Python fresh in your mind and you will be able to retain new lessons better by putting them into practice. This will help you to build your skills and become a more proficient Python developer over time.
12. Keep Your Resume and Profile Updated on Job Portals
When looking for job opportunities as a Python developer, it’s important to keep your information up to date on job portals such as LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and CareerBuilder.
This includes ensuring that your resume and profile are current and highlight your relevant skills and experience.
By keeping an eye on job postings on these sites and being prepared with an updated resume, you increase your chances of being noticed by recruiters who are searching for qualified Python developers.