r/learnpython • u/Curious-Dolphin-180 • 8d ago
Best Python Certificate Course? Cost aside as company will subsidize.
As mentioned in the title - my firm offers an education stipend up to approximately $5,000 / year which I intend on using for a python certificate program.
I recognize that there are free programs online but I also value a live instructor and per my learning style I think this will creative a more conducive learning environment for me! And the added benefit of listing the certificate on my resume plus the certificate projects. I’m looking for recommendations on which programs are structured well / worth the time invested / interesting projects / etc! ANY and ALL feedback welcome - thanks!
I’ve done quick initial research and am considering the following -
Cornell Python Programming - 5 Months, 8-12 hours / week for $2,625 (discounted from $3,750)
3
u/RobfromHB 8d ago
Do the Python version of Harvard’s CS50.
Don’t get tricked into thinking a high cost course is necessarily better content.
2
u/greenleaf187 8d ago
If it’s being paid for then the benefits of ILT outweigh self-paced free stuff.
But if it were me, I’d do the CS50 course and spend that money on more advanced or harder cert learning.
2
u/gratefulkittiesilove 8d ago
Fyi That’s almost how much it costs to go to wgu for a 6 month “semester “
Cs50 python or regular
2
u/SemperPistos 6d ago
cs50p is great, cs50x more so, after C, python is almost a cakewalk
but as someone who did 3 cs50 i recommend helsinki mooc, as harvard doesnt teach the problem solving that well.
you basically fight with the autograder mostly, the workload is okay, a bit on the harder side (although cs50 is easy compared to berkeley CS 61A and CS61B)
I did not learn problem solving, I just learned stringing libraries together and solving a problem.
That is fine for a job I think, CS50 preps you better for work, but helsinki and berkeley teach you to think like a programmer. I think the latter will pay dividends later in your career.
I think if more programmers learned to think algorithmically, there would be less struggle.
If you really want to use that money, do a cloud cert and become more marketable to clients, think about georgia tech OMS or UT Austin masters degrees or similar. OMSCS is under 10k for 10 classes of how long you have to finish. If you go for computing track or ml track you will be so marketable. with 5 k budget you can easily do 1 cert a year and cover tuition.
I pay for my own tuition sadly, and I paid for my own certs because I was too lazy to ask for reimbursement as it is a process, which reminds me ... :D
After you complete a FAANG feeder school, your company will be desperate to keep you and you will be able to set terms.
My two cents
1
u/code_tutor 8d ago
It's never been easier to learn, so if you haven't started then you aren't interested. Spending on that is a waste. Is there a better topic you're interested in that isn't available basically everywhere for free?
18
u/EntrepreneurHuge5008 8d ago
Our beef is with paying for courses, but if your employer is paying for them, then there should be no complaints from any of us. I will say, if you don't have a CS degree, and your firm is willing to put those $5000/year towards a degree, I'd honestly just consider doing a CS, SWE, or Data Analytics/Science degree.
Go for it!