What do Python developers do?

Python developers are in charge of creating software using the Python programming language. They are generally focused on the back end of websites or applications, i.e., the architecture, unlike front-end developers, who manage the visual aspects. 

A Python developer’s role includes:

• Designing programs to function as clients need them to.
• Using critical thinking and creativity as you code.
• Identifying and implementing optimal tools for building or enhancing powerful, modular applications.
• Using tests to monitor applications and ensure the highest quality service.
• Providing technical and functional documentation of an application for clients and colleagues.
• Staying up-to-date with quickly evolving technologies - developers are lifelong learners!

Why complete this training?

The number of software developer jobs is projected to grow by over 20% from 2018 to 2028 due to unprecedented growth in the tech sector (source: US BLS). In particular, Python programming is one of the most in-demand skills in the current job market.

Here at OpenClassrooms, our mission is to make education accessible. OpenClassrooms is a global online education-to-employment platform, designed to teach the skills needed for the most in-demand jobs. We pinpoint the key skills needed to succeed in the job market and create world-class online programs to train our students on those skills. 

That’s why we've developed this 12-month bachelor-level diploma in Python development, which you can complete entirely online with the help of a dedicated mentor.

This training was designed and created by our learning design team in collaboration with a committee of Python experts. It consists of 13 projects of increasing complexity. Each project is based on a concrete scenario from the professional world and will allow you to acquire specific skills. Your mission: find solutions, produce professional deliverables, and present them convincingly to a mentor. You will be able to directly apply your experience to the workplace.

What you will learn

By completing this path, you will develop the following Python developer competencies:

• Set up your development environment using virtual environments and PyCharm.
• Create web applications using the Django and Django REST frameworks.
• Develop a secure PostgreSQL database.
• Enhance applications with testing, debugging, and refactoring.
• Use technologies like GitHub, Postman, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and CircleCI.

...and much more!

At the end of this training, you will have a portfolio of professional projects and earn the Python Developer OpenClassrooms certification.

Salary of a Python developer

Software development can be a lucrative career as many opportunities become available the more you gain experience. Here are average salaries of Python developers in 2020:

	Python developer salaries in the U.S.	Python developer salaries in the U.K.
Beginner	Junior: $70,000	£50,000
2-5 years	2-5 years: $100,000	£65,000
5+ years	5+ years: $125,000	£80,000
Sources	Daxx, DevSkiller	CWJobs, Indeed, Reed

Career advancement

By following this training, you will be able to work as a Python, Django, Web, or Back-End Developer. 

In the future, you will be able to evolve your career in different ways, including:

• Diversifying your technical skills to become a full-stack developer, i.e. covering both the back end and the front end.
• Specializing in a particular technology; you’ll focus on the Django web framework in this training, and there are plenty of others, such as Big Data and DevOps.
• After a few years of experience collaborating with other developers, you may also choose a more managerial role, as a Lead Developer or a CTO.

Prerequisites

To be eligible to earn this path's diploma, candidates must demonstrate proof of one of the following prerequisites:

• an associate's degree, or equivalent, in computer science, web development, or software development
• or a high school/secondary school degree, vocational certificate, or equivalent, and at least 2 years of professional experience in IT, web development, or software development

All other candidates will need to go through a specific admissions process. These candidates must have:

• an associate's degree, or equivalent, in any subject and at least 1 year of professional experience in any field
• or a high school/secondary school degree, vocational certificate, or equivalent in any subject and 3 years of professional experience in any field
• and a completed placement test consisting of:
  • OpenClassrooms course completion certificates from Build Your First Web Pages With HTML and CSS, Think like a computer: the logic of programming, and Manage Your Code Project With Git & Github
  • a personal programming project, accompanied by a 10-minute recorded video that explains the project itself and the code behind it

• Language: You will need to provide a certificate not older than 2 years to demonstrate a minimum level of English B2.

  Certificates accepted:

  • English Diploma from a secondary institution (private or public) or an accredited higher learning institution
  • Linguaskill minimum score: 160
  • BULATS minimum score: 60
  • TOEIC minimum score: 785
  • IELTS minimum score: 6.5
  • TOEFL iBT minimum score: 88
  • Cambridge FCE / CAE / BEC HIGHER / BEC VANTAGE minimum score or grade: B or 160
  • Certificate from a language center demonstrating a minimum level of B2 (including the number of training hours completed and the company signature or stamp)

  Don’t have one of these certificates? Find out where to take an exam.

• Equipment: Candidates must also have access to a computer (PC or Mac), headphones, a microphone, a webcam, and a good internet connection for mentoring sessions (3.2 Mbps upload and 1.8 Mbps for download). In addition, to master the skills on this path, you will need to:
  • Have at least 8 GB of RAM (16 GB is more comfortable) and 100 GB of storage space available on your computer.
  • Have administrator rights to your computer in order to install required programs.