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Ask HN: Where are all the Python jobs?

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Re: Ask HN: Where are all the Python jobs?

#21

Post by RiderOfGiraffes »

j_baker wrote: post #14
RiderOfGiraffes wrote: post #11

My experience is limited (although unusual) and my exposure to the current job market even more so. However, it's my impression that there are very, very few "Python jobs." It's becoming more and more the case that multiple skills are required, and frequently Python is one of them. However, it's common to find that people are looking for "C++ and Python" or "HTML, Python, SQL and framework." We're not hiring at the m…

What would that "something else" be? For instance, would "Python and SQL" be a good combination?

Again, speaking personally, not for us. We would need "Python and C++" or "Python and assembler" or "Python and web site management" or "Python and MatLab." For others, I'm sure "Python and SQL" would be a reasonable combination.

But perhaps the real point is that "Named Language" only sells to HR departments. The people who really do the work are looking for people who are "Smart and Get Things Done(tm)." Listing fluency in only one language seems to mark a candidate as someone who doesn't program because they want, but program because they're trained. I've hired someone who couldn't program in any of the languages we cared about, because he could clearly program in a range of other languages, and was a natural problem solver.

I recently read a remark (third hand) from a basketball coach. They said: "I hire tall players. I can teach how to play, but I can't teach height."

Curiousity, puzzle-solving, hacking about, learning, playing withh computers, these are things that show that you are fun, smart, interested, self-directing, and generally have the potential to be useful.

I've got off-topic. Sorry. Hope that helps - there's lots of other advice here.

Re: Ask HN: Where are all the Python jobs?

#22

Post by alttab »

The limit of my response is but of my own humble opinion.

Python is a relatively simple language, with a small learning curve, and many applications. I've seen python used as a tool more than a primary technology for shops (unless they are a web company running Django.)

My advice is that it seems like you are looking at your career a little narrowly if you are simply looking for "python jobs" because it doesn't seem like you are willing to challenge yourself.

Do a little more personal stretching and you may realize there are more real opportunities than you have previously allowed yourself to notice.

Re: Ask HN: Where are all the Python jobs?

#23

Post by Josh0 »

icey wrote: post #18
wensing wrote: post #6

Check out some of the hubbub going on around PyCon. Also, look for Python-related meetups if you're in a major metro. Coincidentally with PyCon, Atlanta seems like a hotspot judging by the number of members of the PyATL and Django meetup groups.

There were also a TON of Python people from the DC area at last year's Djangocon.

Very true, we've got a lot of Django stuff going on around here. Discovery, NASA, PBS, Washington Time, Washington Post, and a number of startups all using Django in one capacity or another.

Re: Ask HN: Where are all the Python jobs?

#24

Post by gabeiscoding »

I doubt this is representative, but we are a C++/Qt4 ISV and I'm looking for a Python/Django intern for the summer to help with some internal web sites and possibly setting up a customer portal (read $12-$15 an hour, no benefits)

In other words, Python is an on-the-side language for us that I would look for say a CS undergrad student to fill the need, where as for our C++ devs I have a much higher bar of required experience/education.

Re: Ask HN: Where are all the Python jobs?

#27

Post by sunny_s »

I have been using python for network related stuff.

From this thread, it looks like python is being used mostly as python/django or for in house stuff only. Also where I come from, I hardly see a python job add without mentioning django. Is it correct to assume that there are very few industry jobs out there for python programmers who are not into web programming?

Re: Ask HN: Where are all the Python jobs?

#29

Post by Josh0 »

jswinghammer wrote: post #4

Depends on where you are maybe? I don't think many places pick Python because there are fewer people who know it. I know some people who use it in their jobs though and their employers sort of just understood that people had to learn it on the job. I wouldn't say Python is a hot skill really but it depends on where you want to work.

Hopefully that will change as a lot of CS programs are starting to use Python.

Re: Ask HN: Where are all the Python jobs?

#30

Post by njharman »

j_baker wrote: post #13
nroach wrote: post #8

What are your criteria? Do you have a geographic location that the employer must be within? Do you have a minimum salary you need to make (before bonus or equity)? We just finished a hiring round, which included Python. I expect that we'll wind up hiring some more in the not too distant future. For what its worth, I post my jobs on Craigslist and at local university offices first, only falling back to the big job boa…

Really?! I never really considered checking craigslist. Also, if you want to get in contact with me, my email is in my profile.

last two (Seattle, Austin) jobs came via craig
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