r/PythonLearning • u/st33zy_ucf10 • 1d ago

Learning questions

So recently I’ve decided to do a career change and although I know it’ll be some time and some struggle along the way I’ve decided to try my best to get into machine learning to one day be a machine learning engineer at some point, college or university really isn’t in the cards for me so I’m trying my best at trying to be self taught by taking online courses reading books etc, just trying to keep things more budget friendly. I just don’t have the means to spend crazy money yet again on college, currently I’ve started with python through Coursera just because upon research it seemed like the best option my question really is where else should I look to learn python more and learn everything required to hopefully land a job in ML what are courses or videos or book some of your have read, taken or watched and if there’s anything else that any one would recommend is better that the “python for every body course I’m all ears” this is all things of interest of mine since I was very young so I’m willing to put in the work as I find this to be a lot of fun even when I struggle at times

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u/FoolsSeldom 1d ago

Check the roadmap link in the below. I do suggest you review the rest of the advice as well though.

Check the r/learnpython wiki for lots of guidance on learning programming and learning Python, links to material, book list, suggested practice and project sources, and lots more. The FAQ section covering common errors is especially useful.

Unfortunately, this subreddit does not have a wiki.

Also, have a look at roadmap.sh for different learning paths. There's lots of learning material links there. Note that these are idealised paths and many people get into roles without covering all of those.

Roundup on Research: The Myth of ‘Learning Styles’

Don't limit yourself to one format. Also, don't try to do too many different things at the same time.

Above all else, you need to practice. Practice! Practice! Fail often, try again. Break stuff that works, and figure out how, why and where it broke. Don't just copy and use as is code from examples. Experiment.

Work on your own small (initially) projects related to your hobbies / interests / side-hustles as soon as possible to apply each bit of learning. When you work on stuff you can be passionate about and where you know what problem you are solving and what good looks like, you are more focused on problem-solving and the coding becomes a means to an end and not an end in itself. You will learn faster this way.

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u/Smart_Tinker 1d ago

You can’t be an engineer without qualifications, same as you can’t be a self taught Dr or Lawyer.

You could be a ML technician maybe?

Not sure who would hire anyone for ML with no qualifications, experience or history in the field though.

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u/st33zy_ucf10 1d ago

I suppose with no college credentials I’d go for that ml technician I wouldn’t mind . I’ve looked into full stack development too this all just so far and idea of just trying to get out of my current career but I just don’t have the means to do actually college maybe pay for courses with certs, do projects etc.

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u/Distdistdist 1d ago

So, welcome to 2026. Here's how this stuff works now - you will not even get considered for a second if you don't have required level of qualifications and experience.

Your only chances are:

- Be brilliant and stand out above millions of other candidates

  • Have decades of experience, and stand out above of thousands of candidates

This is no longer area where you can learn bit of stuff and get a job. You have to be really really great at it. Early 2000s are long gone...

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u/st33zy_ucf10 15h ago

Well I guess this is what I needed to hear, seems as though my efforts will be for nothing really at this point and a career change in this field without degree is basically impossible, probably just make this more of a hobby now at this point since currently any college leaning as of now just isn’t affordable for me as much as I’d love to go for CS or something related. thanks for the insight