EXA Python Roadmap: based on Google
Master Python for FREE!
Hi, I’m Jean,
I’m the Founder and host of Exaltitude on YouTube. I was an early engineer at WhatsApp before its $19B acquisition by Meta, then led engineering teams at Meta, where I experienced firsthand how technology evolves and shapes the world.
Now, I’m on a mission to break down how AI is changing our careers, industries, and the future of work. AI will transform how we work, learn, and live, and many are overwhelmed by what this means, especially those without access or context.
My goal is to simplify these concepts and make them accessible to everyone, whether you’re starting in tech, pivoting careers, or just curious about AI’s impact. I’m here to bring credible, practical insights into the conversation, helping you not just keep up, but take advantage of AI opportunities.
No hype. No jargon. Just real-world insights for navigating AI and what’s next.
Stay connected for updates, industry insights, and career advice on LinkedIn and YouTube. Have questions? Reach out on my website!
Part 1. Setting Expectations
Timeline
At Google, this material is taught in a fast-paced 2-day class, with videos split into Day 1 and Day 2 sections. However, if you’re studying part-time, it may take much longer to complete. The time required will vary depending on factors like your experience level, how much time you can dedicate to studying, and how deeply you want to understand each topic.
Set realistic expectations and be patient with yourself, remember, the goal is to learn and understand the material, not just rush through the class.
Companion Video
Goal Setting
When deciding to learn Python, the first and most important step is to define your goal. Are you aiming to become a software developer, a web developer, a data scientist, or dive into machine learning and AI? Each career path requires a different set of skills, so having clarity about your destination will help you focus on what truly matters.
We analyzed 150 job postings to uncover the most in-demand programming languages sought by real companies. Here are some key insights!
Software Developer: Design, create, and maintains software for applications and systems. They are involved in the entire software development process, from the initial concept to the final product
Core skills: data structures and algorithms, object-oriented programming, system design, version control, testing and debugging.
Python is asked from 67% of job postings
Back-end Developers: Build and maintain the server-side logic, databases, and APIs that power the functionality of web applications.
Core skills: server-side programming, database management, data structures and algorithms, system design, and cloud computing.
Python is asked from 82% of job postings
Django is asked from 36% of job postings and Flask is 17%.
Resource: Django Tutorial
Data Scientist and Engineer: Data Scientists analyze and interpret complex data to help organizations make data-driven decisions, while Data Engineers design, build, and maintain the infrastructure and systems needed to process and store large datasets for analysis.
Core skills: statistics, data management, machine learning, and data visualization.
Python is asked from 100% of job postings
Related Libraries: Pandas, Numpy
Resources:
Data Science roadmap video on YouTube by Jean
NumPy Tutorial for Beginners by Jean
Pandas Tutorial by PyData
AI Engineer: Designs and deploys artificial intelligence systems, integrating machine learning models and algorithms into scalable, real-world applications.
Core skills: machine learning, neural networks, deep learning frameworks, and natural language processing.
Python is asked from 58% of job postings
PyTorch and TensorFlow are asked from 17% of job postings
Related Libraries: Scikit-learn, Matplotlib, Seaborn
Resources:
AI Roamap on Substack
ML Engineer: Specialists who create and optimize machine learning models to solve specific data-driven problems.
Core skills: data management, model training and evaluation, and expertise in ML frameworks.
Python is asked from 83% of job postings
PyTorch and TensorFlow are asked from 75% of job postings
Related Libraries: Scikit-learn, Keras, Matplotlib, Seaborn
Resources:
Seaborn TutorialResources:
ML Roadmap on Substack
Before jumping into advanced tools and technologies, it’s critical to build a strong foundation. This roadmap will guide you through mastering the fundamentals and then provide tailored resources to help you dive deeper into the skills needed for your chosen career. At the end, optional resources will be shared for those who want to explore even further.
Start building your Python skills with purpose!
Part 2. Career Preparation and Guidance
This section is important because learning to code and getting a job are two different skills. Coding is about building your technical knowledge and creating projects while getting a job is about writing a strong resume, networking, and preparing for interviews. Balancing both skill sets is key to achieving your career goals.
Resume Writing:
The Ultimate Resume Handbook by Jean (paid): A comprehensive guide to crafting standout resumes tailored for tech roles. Also, download the free Ultimate Resume Template.
Developer Resume with ChatGPT for ATS Success by Jean on YouTube: Learn how to use ChatGPT effectively to optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems.
Engineering Resume Hack (from Big Tech Hiring Manager) by Jean on YouTube: Insider tips from Jean, a former hiring manager, to make your resume stand out in big tech.
Interviews:
Cracking the Coding Interview by Gayle L. McDowell (paid book)
Blind 75 Leet code questions by Leetcode
Python cheat sheet by Leetcode
DSA study guide by Leetcode
System Design Interview Survival Guide (2024): Strategies and Tips (blog)
Join FREE Monthly LinkedIn Live Q&A with Jean:
What it is: An open session where Jean answers your career-related questions live—completely free.
Why it matters: Gain expert insights on navigating the tech industry, job search strategies, and career development.
Next session: January 6, 2025. Sign up here. Follow Jean on LinkedIn to get updates on the newest events.
Job Market Insights:
Tech Salaries Trends for 2025 by Jean on YouTube: Stay informed about the latest salary trends in the tech industry.
Top Machine Learning Engineer Salary by Jean on YouTube: Explore the earning potential of ML roles in various industries.
Career Development:
What Color Is Your Parachute? By Richard N. Bolles (Paid book)
Zero to AI ML Engineer: Get Hired Without Experience by Jean on YouTube: A roadmap for breaking into AI/ML engineering without prior experience.
7 Mistakes that Ruin Your Career as a Junior Software Engineer by Jean on YouTube: Avoid common pitfalls that could derail your early career.
Part 3. Learn Python
Setup
The Python setup guide in Google’s class walks you through installing Python on your computer and configuring your text editor.
