With salaries averaging $150K/year, web3 has seen a massive boom in adoption worldwide. The demand for web3 developers, be it frontend or backend, is growing day by day. The term “Web3” refers to the “next stage” of the internet, which, it’s anticipated, will be grounded in blockchain technology. If you aspire to be a part of this and make a career in Web3 (or Web 3.0) and/or blockchain careers, you must follow a structured roadmap. In this post, we will discuss how to prepare for web3 careers.
How to Get Started for Web3 Careers and Jobs
Co-authored by Sampurna Panigrahi
Introduction to Web3
The internet space and technology are changing rapidly. These days, the new Internet, also known as decentralized web, Web3, or blockchain-based Internet, is popular. Recent graduates and professionals from a variety of fields appear to be quite interested in learning how to get a job in Web3 and its related subsectors, such as Metaverse, Digital Assets, and Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs).
Like any new topic would, there is a lot of buzz and confusion in the minds of young aspirants with regard to this topic. In this article, we will discuss in brief detail the potential of Web3, job prospects in the technology, and how to prepare for them.
What is Web3?
Web3 relies on decentralized apps that allow everyone to participate without letting them monetize their personal data. Web3 is stateful, permissionless, verifiable, self-governing, and features native built-in payments. Due to its reliance on several networks and servers and the use of blockchain technology, Web3 differs significantly from Web 2.0. Read Beginners Guide to Web3, Blockchain, and Crypto Jobs.
Job Prospects in Web3
According to a study, an estimated 25% of the people on the Internet would spend at least an hour on the metaverse for work, shopping, education, socializing, or entertainment.
Blockchain is enabling new business models and value changes in addition to facilitating paradigm shifts toward decentralized protocols. The increasing use of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology has led to paving a way for a long-term Web3 ecosystem.
Understanding what the future of finance and technology could look like puts you at an unfair advantage in the workplace and in society at large. Additionally, the Web3 industry is still quite young. Hence, getting a foot through the door at this early stage could set you up for a life-changing career.
Popular Web3 Jobs
Some of the job roles that are likely to attract a lot of traction and be in huge demand are:
- Blockchain Core Developer – The blockchain Core Developer creates Blockchain architecture, defines its protocol and consensus mechanism, and determines and implements high-level Blockchain network choices.
- Blockchain software developer – Similar to how a conventional web developer builds web apps utilizing the protocols and design structure established by a core web architect, Blockchain Software Developers build decentralized applications or Dapps using protocols established by Blockchain Core Developers. This is accomplished by creating smart contracts and deploying them on the Blockchain.
- UI & UX designer – Responsible for communication with developers to put your product live out there in the market. Design the product and make it user friendly
- Solidity developer – Responsible for creating smart contracts on specific computer language ‘Solidity’.
- Front-end Developer – responsible for creating visually appealing and functional user interfaces as well as producing well-tested and dependable code. You also have to collaborate closely with UX/UI designers to provide the greatest end-user experience possible.
- Back-end Developer – Responsible for successful extraction and delivery of data to service providers and establishing direct communication with Blockchain.
- DevOps – Responsible for ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality products and upgrades to end consumers. You will assist developers in coding while ensuring that the correct code is placed in the correct location. You will also be responsible for infrastructure maintenance, monitoring, process automation, CI/CD, and deploying software from Github to servers.
- Product Manager – responsible for the introduction of new products (technologies) and checking on the development of new decentralized business models.
- Mobile Developer – Responsible for making mobile apps for Android or iOS systems.
Skills Needed for Building Web3 Careers
Like any other, profession, Web3 careers demand an individual to be in-depth with certain skills. They are:
- Smart Contract Development
- Front End Web Development
- Design
- Art
- Communication Management
- Content Creation
How to Get Started for Web3 Careers
Master the Web2 Concepts
The basic level of knowledge one must have to make a smooth entry to a Web3 career is comprehending fundamental web development. Although it is possible to move directly from Web2 to Web3, it is not advised because you will most likely run into circumstances where some Web2 principles will be necessary.
So to stay on the safer side, understand the basics of web2 by learning the fundamental programming languages used:
- HTML (HyperText Markup Language)
- CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
- JavaScript (JS)
Get Familiar with the Key Terms of the Web3 Ecosystem
- Blockchain: A blockchain is a distributed digital ledger that uses cryptography to store data blocks linked together in a chronological structure.
- Ethereum: Ethereum is a decentralized blockchain with Smart Contract functionalities. The Ethereum blockchain was the first-ever blockchain to introduce Smart Contracts into the blockchain world. The introduction of Smart Contracts started the Web3 era we all hear of today.
- dApps (Decentralized Apps): These apps have a backend that runs on the blockchain or a decentralized network. Their backend is mostly intelligent contracts written in Solidity. Their frontend is built with React or any other javascript frontend framework.
- Cryptocurrencies and Tokens: Crypto tokens are a type of cryptocurrency that represents an asset or specific use and has its own blockchain. Tokens can be used to make investments, store value, or purchases.
- DeFi (Decentralized Finance): DeFi, as the name suggests, is a decentralized peer-to-peer financial system running on the blockchain, primarily the Ethereum blockchain. With DeFi, you can do investments, lending/borrowing, buying insurance, trading assets, etc.
- DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations): DAOs are more like the traditional companies or organizations we have today. The only difference is the rules and regulations of the organization are written in an immutable smart contract. There is no single authority governing the organization. Instead, the DAO is run by the shareholders. To become a shareholder, you must own the DAOs official token, which gives you the right to vote on decisions in the organization.
Learn about Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies
One has to have basic knowledge of how blockchain and cryptocurrency technology work. Just a fundamental knowledge of the field can help an individual to make an entry into the job and then gain expertise in it with working in the field. Many online courses are available on various platforms that deal with the functionality of Blockchain and Cryptocurrency.
Learn About Smart Contracts
Smart contracts are simply programs stored on a blockchain that run when predetermined conditions are met. It’s the process or principle of how you can actually program the blockchain. They are code deployed to the chain, written in some language that blockchain nodes can execute.
Smart contracts can nearly do everything, from fungible and non-fungible tokens to the backend of your next decentralized app. They are, however, different from the code you usually write. They’ll make up a good portion of your future work, so better understand them well.
Get Familiar with the Programming Languages and Frameworks
- HTML, CSS, and JavaScript – The big three. These are the fundamental languages you’ll be using to build the front end of dApps.
- React, Angular, or Vue – You’ll also need to be familiar with any JavaScript frontend frameworks – React, Vue, or Angular. This is essential if you want to work on the frontend side of web3.
- Web3.js or Ethers.js – These JavaScript libraries allow you to interact with smart contracts from the front end.
- Solidity – Solidity is an object-oriented programming language for writing smart contracts.
- Other Programming Languages – Python, Rust, and Vyper are required for software engineers and blockchain developers.
Start Working on Projects and Build a Portfolio
Once you are comfortable with Blockchain, Solidity, Python, Rust, JavaScript, Vyper, and other programming languages, start building projects.
There are numerous project ideas ranging from beginner to intermediate to advanced on the internet. There are also numerous tutorials on YouTube where instructors build real-world web3 apps.
Next, you should showcase your projects. GitHub is an excellent way to store your projects and allow others to review and validate them.
A portfolio should contain the following:
- A frontend
- A smart contract
- Some (Solidity) code optimizations with comments explaining why
- Unit tests for everything
- A local test network setup
- E2E tests that thoroughly test the contract
- Continuous Integration
- Continuous Staging Deployment
- A Deployment to the official testnet
Improve Your Digital Visibility
You also need to work on your visibility if you want to start a Web3 career. Get companies to recognize you. A way to do that would be to participate in conferences, events, meet-ups, and discussions on a global level.
In addition to the foregoing, you can begin posting blog entries on Medium to let others know that you are contributing to the Web3 space. Consistent CryptoTwitter involvement is also an excellent approach to helping people find their potential. As a developer, you may also add your own open-source libraries to GitHub and contribute to other projects.
One very important step to bind up all your work is to build an amazing portfolio for yourself and include all your certifications and experience in your resume.
Opt for Freelancing
You can indulge in freelance work as well which will give you greater exposure. Additionally, it’s a great way to make a handsome amount of money.
You essentially work for yourself and can dictate your own working timelines and live a comfortable life.
Where to Start Web3 Careers?
- Blockchain infrastructure development companies – Companies and foundations that build L1 protocols that enable other companies to build on top of them. Such organizations are Ethereum Foundation, ConsenSys, Parity Technologies, etc.
- Startups – Small companies working on products based on Blockchain. They have been around since the invention of the Blockchain.
- b – Whether they are selling their products or helping businesses tap into Web3, they will need experts to facilitate that.
- Big Tech – These are the companies that have the most to lose if left behind in the Web3 revolution. That’s why we can see them working on various blockchain projects in the last couple of years.
- Financial Sector – This one is self-explanatory. It’s a must for them.
You can also look at various websites like Glassdoor, CryptoCurrencyJobs, CryptoJobs, Upwork, Crypto Careers, etc. Another option is to apply for bounties and hackathons at Gitcoin.
About Sampurna:
Sampurna is currently pursuing PG Diploma in Journalism from Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai. She did her graduation in Journalism and Mass Communication from Amity University, Kolkata. Sampurna has got a great knack for reading, writing, PR, and business development. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.
Featured Image Source: Enlear Academy