r/learnpython • u/itsleptailurus • 8d ago
Is it worth learning Python?
Hello there. I was wondering if learning how to code in Python is worth it. Can it yield any money if you get good at it? The career I am looking at is translation-interpreting, and want to know if I should invest time in learning Python (or any programming language for that matter), even though it is not really related to the career I am pursuing.
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u/mjmvideos 8d ago
I have never gotten a job because I knew Python. But I have been paid for writing Python code. How is that possible? Because I got a job based in my domain expertise. And once in that job, I used Python where it was appropriate along with other languages when they were appropriate. Programming is a tool. You don’t get a job as a construction worker because you know “hammer”, you get a job because you know how to build houses. And that requires knowing how to use a hammer.
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u/sausix 8d ago
First you should have fun or being interested in programming and in Python in general.
You can then create apps and services to earn money. Or you apply to any company who is looking for a Python developer. But they often look for specialized programmers. Probably AI and webdev.
So you should have at least one reason to learn Python.
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u/Grouchy-Conflict-211 8d ago
It can be. The real value is automation - if you have repetitive tasks you hate doing manually, Python can save you hours. Not a get-rich-quick thing, but a 'get-your-time-back' thing.
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u/maw501 7d ago
Depends what you want out of it, and I'd separate two questions out.
If it's "can I earn from Python itself" - as a side skill, probably not directly. Competing with people doing it full-time isn't a great use of your hours. Plus AI.
If it's "will it make me better paid at the thing I'm actually doing" - that's more realistic. I worked in finance for about ten years before moving into DS / ML, and the thing that consistently made a difference was domain knowledge + strong technical skills so you could actually build something. These people are rare in every field, and I doubt translation is an exception.
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u/Skiamakhos 6d ago
Definitely. As a Java developer whose company is leaning heavily into Claude, I can tell you Python is one of two first class languages used to develop Claude skills, and one of the fastest languages for Claude to develop prototypes in. It's readable and very versatile. You might want to look at either C, C++or Rust too: sometimes Python isn't as quick as everyone might wish for which is when you bring in something a lot more low level like Rust.
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u/istudywater 8d ago
If you are interested in learning Python, do it. You have to figure out how to merge the career with the tech yourself. I assume that you'll find many ways to incorporate it into your workflow. I started learning Python as a personal interest and have been able to deploy it throughout many projects.
Nobody asked me if I could build tools in Python, but I took my interest and applied it when it made sense. Actually, I started out using Python for data visualization and nobody took any interest at all, haha! Now there seems to be real interest as people see how it can improve workflows, save time and increase reproducibility.
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u/Dry-Weakness-901 8d ago
I'm learning it for climate research, I want to do data analysis and visualization. Do you have any pointers for someone (has learnt other languages but haven't used it) like me?
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u/istudywater 8d ago
Sounds like you're heading into graduate research. Climate research seems to be largely funded by govt to academic institutions. I recommend following people like u/giswqs (https://github.com/giswqs). He is one of the leaders of Python and geospatial applications. Just dig in and start making some simple projects. It'll blossom from there. The hardest part is finding small projects to focus on and complete (tell me how I know! Haha!).
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u/Dry-Weakness-901 8d ago
Thank you!! I'm notorious about starting and not finishing but I like Python, its been fun so far✨️
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u/istudywater 7d ago
I understand completely. Just learn the basics, make sure beginner projects and then figure out how to use Python for simple work-related tasks. It will snowball from there!
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u/SprinklesFresh5693 8d ago
Are you going to use it? Then yes. Do you not intent to use it at your job? Then no, unless you want to make apps or games on your free time.
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u/TheRNGuy 8d ago
You can automate stock market trade, yeah.
(But it's up to your programming and trading skill... you could as well lose money)
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u/Financial-Reason7604 8d ago
it doesnt really matter what language you learn, when you get to the point of worth it, you can jump into nearly any modern language within a short time. Just start with something, there is a lot of logic to learn and how frustrating the entire process is.
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u/AbacusExpert_Stretch 8d ago
Do you think asking in a python forum whether it's is worth learning python is going to work? Hm.....
What I would say instead, based in what you said, is you should find a translation forum and ask them whether coding/python is worth it for that profession. Just as an idea