How to build technical and career skills for Web3 and Blockchain
Blockchain-based businesses are springing up everywhere as large technology companies adapt their modus operandi and create new applications in the industries. Cory Hymel, VP of Product at Gigster, explores the growing need for technical talent in this autonomous, decentralized and transparent space to create digital products and services and why you should be a part of this new universe.
Worldwide adoption has led to a steady but massive boom in Web 3 and blockchain. This has led to an avalanche of jobs as the demand for front-end and back-end developers grows by the day.
New career opportunities in Blockchain and Web3
From the humble beginnings of the simple Web1 that introduced the world to emails, followed Web2, an improved version of the Internet that incorporated social media and the era of user-generated content. Blockchain and Web3 are relatively new and have yet to be fully explored. They are behind the explosion of NFTs, Metaverse, virtual reality and other 3D modeling technologies. While blockchain and Web3 are still in their infancy, the space holds a wealth of exciting career opportunities and specialized roles.
The nascent blockchain and Web3 is a gateway to some exciting expert roles in the future. These include entrenched entry-level career opportunities and specialized technical disciplines such as design, community management, data analytics, software development, web development, etc. The primarily untapped potential reasons are enough for anyone looking to gain a competitive edge over their peers to scout the blockchain and Web3 market for different possibilities across the domain.
See more: Web3 for B2B: Hype Versus Reality
Why you need to see the new Web3 site
By enabling users to share information and interact using audio and video images via an immersive 3D environment, Web3, the next generation of the Internet, has attracted enormous interest from leading technology firms and venture capital firms. According to a report from Emergen Researchthe global market size of Web3 is projected to grow by 43.7%, from $3.2 billion to $81.5 billion by 2030. Add in the growing popularity of blockchain and cryptocurrency, and you have a technological landscape that is literally in fire.
It would be best if you consider acquiring technical and career skills in this area, because as the next generation of the Internet is happening before our eyes, many large technology companies have taken the front seat and are looking for ways to use the technologies. The favorable investment opportunities mean that companies that are pioneering in the blockchain and Web3 fields are on a hiring spree. There is now a growing need for skilled labor to fill the space with new, innovative products and services to create new ways of online businesses and interactions.
Examples of technology companies investing in Web3
While most blockchain and Web3 companies are typically startups, some established firms across multiple industries, including healthcare, entertainment, finance and public services, have already claimed a seat at the high table. Companies such as IBM develop tools and infrastructure for decentralized systems. Other prominent examples include:
- Amazon: Creating a service to develop blockchain networks that support private and public blockchains
- Sony: Plans to introduce crypto for gaming systems in eSports.
- ConsenSys: Provides consulting services for web development teams, building applications on the Ethereum blockchain
- Netflix: The video streaming company plans to use Web3 for a decentralized approach to viewing its original content.
Other tech and fintech companies dabbling in blockchain and web3 include titans like PayPal, Instagram, Meta, NVidia, Spotify, Alphabet, Unity Software, Steemit, Tesla, Apple, etc.
Is it difficult to join the Web3 Bandwagon?
Newcomers would join a rapidly growing army of talented experts shaping the new technological landscape. The hype around blockchain and Web3 continues to gain momentum as users embrace the technologies that are changing the way we use the internet. The effect is a greater opportunity for Web3 careers to dominate the job market in the coming years for anyone looking at a career in technology before the skills gap closes.
So, is it difficult for a beginner to get into blockchain and Web3? Maybe it is, but not necessarily. As in any new field, you’ll face fewer guarantees since the workforce is still technically evolving, and the past for long-term career progression isn’t as clear. But on the plus side, early birds will join the early professional cohorts while the job market remains less competitive than other technical disciplines. Since you will meet fewer candidates applying for blockchain and Web3 roles, you have a better chance of landing a job and negotiating more lucrative salary offers.
Technical skills required for Web3 Professionals
The growing demand for Web3 products from both developers and consumers provides credible evidence that it is a lucrative appeal for professionals. It would help if you learned to have the necessary skills to help you land one among the existing jobs in the field. From application design and smart contract development to content creation, there’s an ever-growing list of the broad categories that comprise Web3 positions. Other types include careers in non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and decentralized finance (DeFi) development, all of which require specific skill sets. The skill sets can be categorized into two:
Technical skills
You need two technical skills right now to qualify for a career in Web3. First is programming skills that include coding if you are interested in Web3 development roles for unique use cases such as decentralized applications (DApps). The second will be knowledge of cryptography, so you can get involved in jobs involving user data security and privacy.
Other technical skills you need for entry-level jobs in Web3 include blockchain basics & Ethereum, solidity, writing smart contracts and front-end web development. You will also choose skills in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, JavaScript Frameworks, etc., as well as marketing, sales, finance, operations and analytics.
See more: Everything you need to know about Metaverse and Web3
Non-technical skills
While most salary estimates for blockchain and Web3 jobs involve developer duties, several other roles do not require expertise in coding. The non-technical skills necessary to build a career in this field include excellent writing and communication skills and the ability to work as a team. Since Web3 is mainly about decentralization, there is a good chance that you may end up working remotely with teams spread over large geographical locations. As a result, you need to develop soft skills in addition to your technical knowledge. Creativity is essential to quickly adapt to the ever-changing Web3 landscape.
fertile ground for a new career
Blockchain and Web3 are not overhyped buzzwords; they are well-established technological areas full of inexhaustible potential to change how we interact with the web forever. The growing list of major tech players who have recognized the value of these new technologies and jumped in is proof enough that it’s a safe field to venture into, as it’s here to stay.
There is a growing demand for Web3 professionals, and there is a good chance that it will soon become a breeding ground for new career opportunities. With exciting projects, remote work opportunities, potentially lucrative salaries and a future-proof career as compelling factors, you may want to dip your toes in sooner rather than later if you feel passionate enough about this as a potential career path.
What new technological skills are you focusing on to exploit the potential of Web3 and the blockchain? Share with us on Facebook, Twitterand LinkedIn.
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