Python is indeed a hot topic and having Python skills can really help kickstart your career in GIS and programming, particularly for the recent grad. One of the most popular features we rolled out over the past few months on GISuser was a piece on Python that highlighted some developer resources, tips, and suggested tutorials (see Programming with Python)
Now Esri has provided the developer and would be developer with another fine resource about Python via the new bookPython Scripting for ArcGIS – a technical guide that provides a clear, step-by-step process for the creation of Python scripts to enhance ArcGIS 10.1 capabilities – no previous programming experience is necessary! See also Amazon for more in this new resource