Most bootcamps and coding sites start with Javascript, HTML, &CSS. Do I need to begin there? Why not with Python?

Not necessarily, Python is a great language to learn first and it's where I started. The syntax is human readable, and it's much easier to learn the fundamentals of coding with when compared to some languages (Like C++ or even Java).. However, learning HTML, JS and CSS is a lot easier to visualize and understand in terms of how it applies to real world applications. These are frontend technologies, so you interact with them every time you use the internet including now, and in a few weeks you' can create something that resembles a real website. Python is used as a backend technology, as well as for applications outside the web, but for most people, it's harder to see how python is actually used in industry when starting out because a lot of its uses require a better understanding of how programs interact on a large scale than JS.

That said I actually recommend you start with python for a few reasons:

1. The teachers are AWESOME, and all the beginning courses are fantastic.
2. You'll be forced to learn good coding practices, while Javascript is notorious for bad practices.
3. Javascript requires HTML and CSS to advance beyond the basics, and that's off putting to a lot of people.
4. Python will make you better at JS, and give you a great foundation.

Really though, that's all pretty minor, what matters is you jump in. Once you understand the basics with any language, it's a breeze to switch between languages, and you'll pick anything up as you need it. The most important thing is to just code, code, code, regardless of language, so don't get too caught up in what's best to learn, just learn. It's almost paralyzing realizing how deep the field is, so just jump in and get your feet wet, you'll be better off that way. I was where you are about a year ago, and my only regret is thinking things over too hard. Once you master the basics, you'll develop an idea as to what interests you the most, if you focus too much on whats "best" right now you'll be treading water rather than moving forward. Good luck!

Python/Ruby is good for back-end writing. I personally prefer writing back-end code, but many coding tutorials nowadays teach front-end (aka js/html/css). As for getting a job, it isn't easier one way or another, it's a matter of personal preference. If you like designing for the web, go for html/css/js. If you enjoy writing code that controls what is going on behind the scenes, go for a back-end language, such as Python, Ruby, Java, etc.

I agree with the other posters and as an aside want to add that it's like anything else. We are all on our own journey and if you are interested in Python right now, that is where you should start.

You're going to see in time that there is a certain paradigm to both procedural and object oriented programming. Starting with Python is really starting on the same concepts that are going to be present in any other language such as variable declaration, data types, conditionals, loops, data structures such as arrays, objects, etc.

Don't let anyone tell you what you should learn. Go the path you want and let necessity be your motivator--meaning if you decide you want to build a game and you discover a graphics framework in C++, than start learning C++. There is no wrong turn and from my experience, jobs are all over the place. The real desire is to have a self motivated learner who isn't afraid to jump in, be lost, and dissect problems and use whatever tools are necessary to solve them.

Cheers!