Teenager’s parents asking for tech: Python vs Excel.

Question

I met a nephew of mine for Christmas after a few years, he is now a teenager and does not want to study at university level, so his parents asked me for a technological path forward and a job. I am torn between suggesting the Python language as a scalable ecosystem (easy enough to pick the basics, good in the case he will reconsider studying in the future) and the MS Excel as a swiss-knife, door-opening skill for employment. What do you think about? Thanks and Happy 2020!

smt88 · Accepted Answer

In the US, someone with no college degree and Excel skills is going to get a data entry job. He will not work on any satisfying technology job, at least not without a lot of blood, sweat, tears, and extreme luck first.
There are unpaid internships that require Master's degrees these days. A college degree has become as vital now as a high school diploma was in the 80s.
Python is a better bet, but there are still tons of grads to hire with Python skills. I recently posted a data science opportunity and got 250 resumes before the end of the day, many of whom had Master's degrees or PhDs.
If your nephew insists against college, which is a huge mistake (there are lots of easy, nearly-free public schools he could attend), he should look into trade schools. Our country has a shortage of electricians, for example.

tomohawk · Answer

If teenager is interested in hands on and technology includes the skilled trades, then apprenticeship in a trade is a really good route. Plumbing, electrical, mason, carpentry, welding, ... many choices here.Another possibility is to get into the military. You can learn technical skills and achieve postings where a security clearance is required. You can then transition to a decent living as a contractor. Being in the military also may clarify what the teenager does or does not want to do.

NPMaxwell · Answer

For the Python route -- or Javascript -- there are a huge number of introductions and learning projects, some of which will appeal to a teenager. For MS Excel, I've never seen any training or learning materials that are interesting even to already-employed office workers. Maybe there is a local small business that would be willing to have him help with their finances? A value of MS Excel as an introduction to programming is the ability to create macro scripts by recording what you're doing. This can help establish a mental model of scripting as writing out what gets done.

utopian3 · Answer

Both. Sometimes I use Python, sometimes I use a spreadsheet. Sometimes I ingest the spreadsheet into Python, and sometimes I ingest it via a bash one-liner. The right tool, for the right job.

szferi137 · Answer

I think these are good, reasonable choices. You can even show ways how python can automatize some Excel tasks. A bit dated but good into to the subject is 'Automate the Boring Stuff' book. https://automatetheboringstuff.com/chapter12/