Stick with it

As we started this workshop, I stated that learning a programming language is just like learning a traditional, spoken language. And just like learning a spoken language, you won't be programming the next Reddit or Google just yet -- but you're on the path! Immerse yourself in the resources listed above. Heck, don't just stay with Python. Try Ruby. Or C. There's so much out there.

And, more importantly, our communities are enriched when "non-traditional" programmers start building and sharing their work. An English Lit major who writes a program that can publish a new book a day, in the style of Dickens or Thoreau. Or an interpretive dancer who writes a web app to help fellow dancers collaborate remotely. I'm making this stuff up, but the real-life stories are much more shocking -- and motivating.

In the words of Zed Shaw:

People who can code in the world of technology companies are a dime a dozen and get no respect. People who can code in biology, medicine, government, sociology, physics, history, and mathematics are respected and can do amazing things to advance those disciplines.

Just keep on learning. Feel free to contact me at Jonathan@JMillville.com.