So You Want to Learn Python? (Please Don't Start with "Hello World")

This article challenges the traditional "Hello World" approach to learning Python programming and presents an alternative, goal-oriented learning methodology.

By identifying four distinct learner profiles—the Career Switcher, the Automation Seeker, the Data Enthusiast, and the Side Hustler—it provides customized learning paths that connect directly to real-world applications.

Drawing from personal experience transitioning from anthropology to programming, the guide emphasizes practical skills over theoretical concepts, offering concrete roadmaps for each learner type.

The article includes detailed timelines, resource recommendations, and actionable steps for beginners to advance from basic syntax to professional-level Python programming, all while maintaining focus on actual project implementation rather than abstract programming concepts.