This. Getting well-known by other pythonistas is very valuable. How you get that recognition doesn't really matter. Stack overflow, a popular blog, contributi

This. Getting well-known by other pythonistas is very valuable. How you get that recognition doesn't really matter. Stack overflow, a popular blog, contributions on the mailing list, working on a lot of open source projects, etc... Personally, I don't think terribly highly of Stack Overflow's award system, since it can be relatively easy to game, but if you're really contributing value, then it's not the badge that matters, it's that value. And so, I would recommend against saying "gold badge in python on Stack Overflow" on your resume, but I would say "Very active contributor to python questions on Stack Overflow", and let the reader see the value you have put into the system beyond from the silly little badge next to your name.