How to Kickstart Your Career in Blockchain and Web3

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A year or two ago, the Web3 industry appeared to be nothing more than a media frenzy; this has since changed.

Web3 is the third wave of the internet. It represents the next generation of technologies that will change lives and a new way of thinking about the internet as a whole. Web3 has the potential to change the way we trade, communicate, and trust, much like the internet did in the 1990s.

Through its remarkable fundamental principles and use of cutting-edge technology, Web3 not only lays the groundwork for new business models and value relocation but also shifts the paradigm away from centralized client/server architecture and toward decentralized protocols.

Cryptocurrencies, which have been all the rage for some years now, are a classic example of Web3 in action. However, many other examples of Web3 implementation exist: smart contracts, decentralized applications (dApps), and even virtual reality are all part of this new wave.

Several tech giants, including IBM, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Block, are building blockchain solutions for real-world use cases such as identity management, digital asset management, infrastructure security, financial services, etc.

Across multiple industries, from fashion to sports, logistics to finance, there is an uptick in demand for professionals who can work with blockchain technology and dApps.

The impact of Web3 on careers is still being determined because we have yet to see it become widespread enough. That said, there have already been some significant changes to career paths within several industries as they embrace this new technology.

This article will walk you through starting a career in blockchain and Web3. It also highlights some of the industry’s most in-demand jobs as well as the top skills needed to build a successful career in blockchain and Web3.

An Increasing Demand for Blockchain and Web3 Jobs

Web3 has the potential to deliver game-changing innovations. This paradigm shift will likely result in the creation of new services, businesses, and more effective collaborative methods.

The buzz surrounding Web3 has increased demand for industry professionals. Several people are now interested in launching a career in Web3, learning about and participating in blockchain projects, and developing blockchain-based products.

Many professionals are considering a career switch to the Web3 sector. Most, however, are hesitant to take the leap because they have yet to find a way to acquire the requisite skills.

6 Top Careers in Blockchain and Web3

When considering a career in Web3, it is important to choose a niche. We evaluated the most in-demand roles in the industry and compiled this six-item list.

Smart Contract Development

A “smart contract” refers to an agreement between two or more parties that is executed on a blockchain platform such as Ethereum or Solana. It comprises many lines of code that run automatically when certain conditions are met.

They facilitate anonymous and secure transactions and contracts between parties without the need for centralized authorities (like banks or the government).

A smart contract developer must be well-versed in the inner workings of different blockchain systems. They must be able to easily identify and recommend the best platform for development based on the project’s use case, specifications, and other requirements.

This career requires knowledge of computer programming languages such as C++, Solidity, JavaScript, Java, Golang, Vyper, Rust, etc.

There are numerous online resources available to help you learn this skill, including:

YouTube: Suitable for students who prefer to learn through visual media. Here are some examples of resource channels:

Blogs: Detailed articles comprehensively explaining smart contracts and their functionalities.

Communities: These communities are populated by smart contract experts and enthusiasts who share useful information to make learning easier. Here are some examples of smart contract developer communities:

Bootcamps: Platforms like ChainShot simulate real-time classroom teaching, providing accelerated, intensive programs that teach students the A-Z of smart contract development.

Hackathons: An event in which people participate in rapid and collaborative engineering over a short period. Examples of smart contract development hackathons include:

Academies: e.g., Udemy, Coursera, etc.

Writing

You can make more money as a writer in the blockchain space than you could in regular content or technical writing.

Reading is a prerequisite for writing. Research the basics of blockchain technology, such as:

Explore the free and paid learning resources on sites like Khan Academy, Coinbase, and Coursera to learn the common terms and get a deeper understanding of these topics.

Also, write sample articles on blockchain and Web3 to demonstrate your knowledge of the topics. This will be both a test of your knowledge and a chance to practice what you’ve learned.

In addition, publish your content on popular social media sites like LinkedIn, Medium, Twitter, Reddit, and Quora to reach a wider audience while still narrowing your focus. You can also create a portfolio of your best articles using content marketing platforms like Clear Voice, Contently, Journo Portfolio, etc.

When you feel comfortable with your writing skills, you can submit article proposals to major publications like Espay Exchange, Binance Academy, Changelly, CoinDesk, and ICO Listing Online. This will make you more popular on social media and online, leading to more people checking out your portfolio.

It would help if you also considered applying to blockchain and Web3 content writing jobs advertised on Upwork, Reddit, FlexJobs, Crypto Jobs, LinkedIn, and Crypto Careers.

Front-End Web Development

“Front-end development” refers to the part of web design and development that is directly visible to site visitors. The idea is to turn a set of codes into a familiar graphical interface for the site’s visitors so that all of the site’s content can be shown in a way that is both strong and easy to understand.

There is no point in studying to become a front-end web developer if you are not going to put what you learn into practice. Therefore, commit at least an hour per day to coding.

In addition, you should participate in hackathons and other similar competitions. Such activities are an excellent way to put your front-end development skills to the test. You would also learn essential soft skills such as mentoring, teamwork, leading, and communication.

It is also strongly recommended that you develop a portfolio. This showcases a subset of your skills to potential employers. Your portfolio can contain more than just client work. You can, for example, reinvent and improve an existing website.

You can get all the help you need on your quest to become a proficient front-end developer by joining a community of like-minded individuals. Some of these communities include Andela, Stack Overflow, and GitHub.

Here are some online resources for learning front-end web development:

Videos

Courses

Books

Blockchain Data Engineering

A blockchain data engineer’s responsibilities are the administration and processing of blockchain data. They must be well-versed in Java, JavaScript, and Python, as well as blockchain technology.

Here are the steps you should take if you want to build a career in blockchain data engineering:

Learn as much as you can about computer science and digital currencies

It would be beneficial if you began to educate yourself on blockchain technology and cryptocurrency fundamentals. Investigate the underlying technology of blockchains and the role of computer programmers in blockchain technology.

Get a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Consider obtaining a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field if you want to work in the blockchain data engineering industry. Most employers will require this degree before considering you for an entry-level position.

Learn how to develop and use smart contracts

Smart contract development is a critical component of blockchain technology. Undergraduate students may choose to study software engineering or programming languages as electives. However, you can learn more about blockchain by reading blockchain guides.

Read extensively about blockchain technology

Blockchain technology and digital currencies are rapidly evolving. You can find out more about blockchain technology by visiting websites with informative articles. Also, broaden your horizons by actively participating in blockchain-related online discussion forums and communities.

Keep working on projects

Participating in actual projects provides the best opportunity for practical training. You can also look for internships or full-time positions as a blockchain developer with companies that interest you.

Here are some of the resources you can use for learning:

Product Management

A product manager oversees the creation and distribution of a product. Anyone interested in this career path must have worked in marketing, business analysis, and product management.

Knowing how to manage a team of developers and communicate effectively with the people vested in the project’s success is also essential.

Here are the actionable steps that can be taken to become a product manager:

Develop your background knowledge

Getting experience in a field related to product management is an excellent way to get started in the field. Learn about the product life cycle, the development process, basic product management principles, and product roadmaps by reading blogs and books and listening to podcasts.

Develop your product management skills

Aspiring product managers should examine their current skill set concerning the most important product management skills. All the skills they already possess and the ones they still need to develop should be listed.

Now that they know where they are lacking in skills, they can actively work to fill those gaps. If they are currently employed, they can find tasks that will allow them to practice these abilities. This is especially helpful for soft skills, which can be used and honed in various ways.

Here are some free courses to get started:

Obtain a product manager certification

Employers are looking for more than just technical expertise from their potential hires. They should trust that a prospective product manager can get the job done because of their practical experience.

For aspiring product managers, earning a recognized credential is the best way to break into the industry.

Some certification courses that can help in this situation are:

Create a portfolio

Aspiring product managers need to be able to demonstrate their product management skills to potential employers. A product management portfolio (that details the work they’ve done) can serve this purpose.

Here are some examples of product management portfolios that can serve as inspiration:

Build connections in the field

Networking is essential for aspiring product managers. Valuable mentorship, advice, and industry insights can be gained through networking.

Here are some communities that aspiring product managers can join to network:

Apply for product management jobs

Aspiring product managers should focus on the most important skills for product management jobs and show how their past experiences are relevant to the jobs they are applying for.

This is especially important if they are changing careers; their product manager resumes and cover letters need to show that they have relevant skills that can be used in the job even though they don’t have much experience.

These job boards can be explored for relevant positions:

Tips for Kickstarting a Career in Blockchain and Web3

Be an Early Adopter

Getting a foot in the door at a reputable blockchain or Web3 company starts with laying the groundwork in the industry’s early stages of development. This means accepting and adapting to new things in the Web3 space, such as new use cases or protocols.

To be an early adopter, you must be willing to stick around for the long haul, which means you will need to make decisions using data-driven information. Subscribing to reliable Web3 news channels could help you save time and keep up with the latest developments in the blockchain and Web3 sectors.

Gain Industry Experience Through Internships

Gaining work and academic experience at a blockchain firm is a great way to learn more about the industry and decide what career path to take.

It’s a great way to meet influential people in the field and determine whether or not a job is a good fit.

Participate in Active Groups of Industry Professionals

Becoming an active member of multiple crypto communities on Twitter and Discord is an important step toward becoming a blockchain or Web3 professional and landing gigs.

Users can feel like they’re a part of something bigger by joining online communities on Discord, Twitter, and Reddit.

Some of the best channels are Cryptohub on Discord, R/BitcoinBeginners on Reddit, and many more reputable accounts on Crypto Twitter.

Get in Touch With Teams You Want to Work With

The best way to contact a company’s team is through its official channels, which are open to the public.

The first step in sending a good pitch is to do some research on your target audience.

Those interested in a career in blockchain and Web3 must learn everything they can about the company they want to work for and then tailor their messages to the specific division of the company.

When competing with unrefined cold emails, tailoring pitches to the major players within a specific Web3 or blockchain company will give you a competitive advantage.

Where to Look for Blockchain and Web3 Jobs

Wellfound (formerly AngelList)

Wellfound (formerly AngelList Talent) is one of the best online resources for finding work at blockchain or Web3 startups. It’s a U.S.-based hub for early-stage companies, wealthy backers, and ambitious new hires in the startup industry. It launched in 2010 and has since aided entrepreneurs, investors, and people looking for work.

Facebook Groups

Facebook is the most widely used social network. As a learning tool, web3 enthusiasts can take advantage of a wide variety of trustworthy communities. In addition to answering one’s questions about Web3, most of these groups provide helpful information on investing, such as videos and blogs. They also disseminate information such as job listings and price forecasts. People new to Web3 can find groups to join for help getting started in the industry.

LinkedIn gives its users many tools to stay up-to-date, network effectively, and make their resumes look good for potential employers and investors.

Through its “easy apply” function, the platform has simplified the application process for users seeking employment. Job seekers can create a CV and have it automatically uploaded to the platform, saving time and effort.

BeInCrypto Jobs

Employers and job seekers can establish safe and quick connections through BeInCrypto. Numerous notable blockchain and Web firms are hosted on the platform. These companies include CoinGecko and Unstoppable Domains.

Available job listings are divided into categories, and labels indicate whether they can be done remotely or require physical or on-site presence.

Skills Required for a Successful Blockchain and Web3 Career

Skills for Tech-Related Roles

Programming Skills

This skill requires learning to write the kind of code that can run decentralized apps.

Cryptography Skills

Those that want to develop blockchain apps must be proficient in cryptography.

Skills for Non-Tech Roles

Effective Communication and Writing

People who work in content creation, community management, and user experience design must be able to communicate well.

Research and Analysis

Professionals in fields like data science, research analysis, and product management rely heavily on the ability to sift through and interpret large amounts of data.

Graphic Design

The visual components of decentralized apps are the responsibility of graphic designers.

UX/UI Design Skills

User experience designers (UX designers) are tasked with developing intuitive interfaces for decentralized software.

Product Management Skills

Product managers are in charge of managing decentralized app development.

In Conclusion,

Without a doubt, Web3 has enormous potential as a catalyst for change in the IT sector. However, those interested in getting a job in crypto, blockchain, or Web3 must have diverse technical competencies and an in-depth understanding of blockchain technology. It’s important to start working on developing those skills.
The exciting world of Web3 is waiting for people with the proper skill set and a willingness to learn.

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