How to Learn Python for Data Science In 5 Steps

Why Learn Python For Data Science?

Before we explore how to learn Python for data science, we should briefly answer why you should learn Python in the first place.
In short, understanding Python is one of the valuable skills needed for a data science career.
Though it hasn’t always been, Python is the programming language of choice for data science. Here’s a brief history:

• In 2016, it overtook R on Kaggle, the premier platform for data science competitions.
• In 2017, it overtook R on KDNuggets’s annual poll of data scientists’ most used tools.
• In 2018, 66% of data scientists reported using Python daily, making it the number one tool for analytics professionals.

Data science experts expect this trend to continue with increasing development in the Python ecosystem. And while your journey to learn Python programming may be just beginning, it’s nice to know that employment opportunities are abundant (and growing) as well.
According to Indeed, the average salary for a Data Scientist is $127,918.
The good news? That number is only expected to increase. The experts at IBM predicted a 28% increase in demand for data scientists by the year 2020.
So, the future is bright for data science, and Python is just one piece of the proverbial pie. Fortunately, learning Python and other programming fundamentals is as attainable as ever. We’ll show you how in five simple steps.
But remember – just because the steps are simple doesn’t mean you won’t have to put in the work. If you apply yourself and dedicate meaningful time to learning Python, you have the potential to not only pick up a new skill, but potentially bring your career to a new level.

How to Learn Python for Data Science

Step 1: Learn Python Fundamentals

Everyone starts somewhere. This first step is where you’ll learn Python programming basics. You’ll also want an introduction to data science.
One of the important tools you should start using early in your journey is Jupyter Notebook, which comes prepackaged with Python libraries to help you learn these two things.
Kickstart your learning by: Joining a community
By joining a community, you’ll put yourself around like-minded people and increase your opportunities for employment. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, employee referrals account for 30% of all hires.
Create a Kaggle account, join a local Meetup group, and participate in Dataquest’s members-only Slack discussions with current students and alums.
Related skills: Try the Command Line Interface
The Command Line Interface (CLI) lets you run scripts more quickly, allowing you to test programs faster and work with more data.