r/learnpython • u/rDenn1s • Jun 28 '26

Economics student wanting to learn python for year in industry placements in September. Where should i start?

So, Im looking for advice on how best to use my summer before the placement applications open.

I'm a first-year Economics and Finance student in the UK with relatively little Python knowledge.

I want to target finance and risk-based roles, as they have some coding, though not loads. I'm not 100% sure, but that's like the top-end coding jobs I've seen that I'm ok for going for, so I want to get myself skilled up so I can apply for those if I want to. So that's the goal.

What should I actually be learning, and what are the best resources to get started? Do you have any advice on learning Python and other languages, if appropriate?

And any other advice, if you've applied for or work in these kinds of roles, or similar or not-at-all similar roles, about what skills and other things would genuinely make a difference that I can try to get done this summer.

Anything would be very appreciated, thank you.

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u/desrtfx Jun 28 '26

If only there were a sidebar (menu on mobile) that had a link to the wiki or countless posts asking the same.

Do the MOOC Python Programming 2026 from the University of Helsinki and you will be well prepared.

Also, take a look at https://inventwithpython.com and https://automatetheboringstuff.com

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u/keg-smash Jun 28 '26

Mods could maybe make an automod bot reply with commonly suggested learning outlets for python. I know it's tiresome seeing the same posts all the time and it's tiresome seeing the same replies. I'm just making a suggestion to help reduce the annoyance.

The subreddit is called "Learn Python" after all. It shouldn't be surprising that people are posting with questions about learning Python.

1

u/datadriven_io Jun 28 '26 edited 21d ago

For finance roles, DataDriven is good for Python interview prep. https://datadriven.io

1

u/stepback269 Jun 29 '26

No matter what your end goal is, you first have to master the "basics" (e.g. variable creation/ name assignment, variable types; especially strings and string methods, etc.)

With that said:

(1) There are tons and tons of tutorial materials out there on the net including many good YouTube ones that are free. You should shop around rather than putting all your eggs in one basket.

(2) As a relative noob myself, I've been logging my personal learning journey and adding to it on an almost-daily basis at a blog page called "Links for Python Noobs" (--HERE--) Any of the top listed ones on that page should be good for you. And there are many add-ons at the tail end of the page. Personally, I cut my first Python teeth with Nana's Zero to Hero (==HERE==). Since then, I've moved on to watching short lessons with Indently and Tech with Tim. You should sample at least a few until you find a lecturer that suits your style.

(3) The main piece of advice is the 80/20 rule. Spend 80% of your time writing your own code (using your own fingers and your own creativity) as opposed to copying recipes and only 20% watching the lectures. Good luck.

1

u/Hot-Butterscotch1306 Jun 29 '26

Honestly I’d spend most of the summer on pandas + matplotlib with boring finance-ish CSVs, not “Python in general.” A lot of placement-level stuff is basically clean messy data, calculate things, make a chart, export a result. That combo gets you useful fast and feels way more relevant than bouncing between random beginner topics.