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 certificat