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Microsoft MTA Exam - 98-381 - Intro to Programming with Python

I've set my sights on my 1st Certification in my journey to the Data Analytics Realm.  With the Microsoft MTA Exam - 98-381 - Intro to Programming with Python.

My Preparation
  • Books
    • Intro to Python 5th Edition - Mark Lutz
    • Programming in Python - Mark Lutz
  • Self Practice
    • Writing Python Apps
Timeline
  • 180 Days (Dec 2017 ~ May 2018)
  • Tentative Exam Date - Early May 2018
NOTE
I won't feel competent in Python until I've spent at least a full year writing serious code.  For now I want to understand the basics and apply them at work.  I have some small projects in mind to 'cut my teeth' with Python and plan to apply them in 2018.  I consider this the 'foundation' step to at least tuck Python knowledge under my arm.

 Update 2/1/18
Got busy @ work and have to push back the Python thing.  Still studying, but progress is slower than I had hoped.  But keep plugging away... 

Update 7/4/20
Such is life...I never got around to taking this certification exam, but I've been using Python more regularly at work.  I've gotten some simple things automated like extracting files from one location and moving the to another, then transforming them into another format.  It sounds complex, but really its not and that's the beauty of Python.


Still...after 2 years of tinkering with this language, I'm by no means a Pythonista and its due to a lack of practice.  After 2 years, I've read thousands of pages of Python books and spent perhaps 200 hours reading and writing code, but none of that was as helpful as I had hoped.  Sure it gave me 'practice' and I learned the basics, but I think an actual project that is of value makes the learning more meaningful.

So back to studying...

Update 7/28/21
Wow…it’s been 4 years since I first began my Python studies and I’m now using it regularly at work.  It’s true, you don’t really care to learn something until you need it and my proficiency in Python has improved considerably since I need it for actual production work.

All those years spent casually studying and coding in my spare time was not wasted and helped me become comfortable with the language and various tools.

I’m now studying for the Microsoft DP-100 Data Scientist certification and feel that is more relevant than an introductory Python certification.
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Comments

  1. zorodzaiJanuary 12, 2018 at 3:41 AM

    Hi, how is the studying going ? I intend to sit this exam end of Feb so am following your journey :-) . I am using "Python Crash Course" by Eric Matthes as my main resource. All the best

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Louis KimJanuary 12, 2018 at 10:22 PM

      Awesome! I hope you make it through your journey. I may have to delay as the books are taking longer to read. You probably will pass the exam before I do and I’ll likely have to ask you for advice.

      I’m hoping the second book will get me more into the ‘code’ and I’ll focus on the the study areas suggested by the Microsoft Site.

      Delete
  2. zorodzaiMarch 23, 2018 at 6:42 AM

    Check this out
    http://pythoninstitute.org/certification/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LKApril 8, 2018 at 5:46 PM

      Interesting. Thanks for the info. I vaguely recall seeing this before and worth a check. Had to put my studies on hold due to work and will resume probably later in the year after some projects are done. How goes your studies?

      Delete
  3. bella juliaJune 25, 2018 at 4:59 AM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete

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