Building a career in blockchain technology
In a world fast transitioning into a new, digital age, the blockchain provides a unique opportunity on a never-before-seen scale.
As the world changes, becoming more global than ever, new opportunities are arising in new fields. The demand for virtual services for communication, logistics, and finance is at an all-time high. Innovation is required to keep up with the demand as opportunists rush to fill in the gaps.
These opportunists take advantage of the increasing need for tech services and have applied themselves appropriately as a result. With the advent of next-gen technology like the blockchain, a whole new niche in technology has opened up as a result.
If you have never heard of the blockchain, or know how blockchain works, then this article is for you. Also, if you’re just starting your career and are considering options in technology, you will find great insight here. Read on.
Who hires blockchain professionals and specialists
The blockchain is synonymous with cryptocurrency. Popular as a payment solution and alternative, the general concept of the blockchain has since transcended finance, entering into fields like science, robotics, machine learning, and online gaming.
This diversity ensures that blockchain specialists are highly demanded in:
Industries
These include companies like accountancy firms, insurance, retailers, banks, and certain law offices.
Startups
Various business startups also use blockchain technology to integrate their products, services, and overall business operations.
Tech companies
Several tech companies are looking to streamline their operations to conform with the best blockchain practices of decentralization.
Governments
Despite initial reservations due to the mode of its operation, many governments worldwide are warming up to blockchain technology, employing specialists to overhaul their existing systems and provide necessary software and database updates and integrations.
How to get a job in the blockchain industry: Skills required
The following skills are required to get a job in the blockchain industry:
Blockchain architecture
A developer must understand the features of the blockchain, such as cryptography, distributed ledgers, hash functions, and smart contracts.
In addition, the person must be proficient in the consortium, hybrid, private, and public blockchain architecture.
Cryptography
The person must be able to use high-grade cryptography such as public-key cryptography. They must also have a solid grasp of hash functions such as Keccak-256 and SHA-256 should also be understood.
Data structures
Blockchain developers will regularly work with different data structures like Merkle trees, hash trees, Patricia trees, heaps, and graphs.
Smart contracts
Smart contracts make it possible to do financial transitions on the blockchain. Developers should know about programming languages like Solidity, Chaincode, and Vyper.
Career opportunities
Blockchain specialists and enthusiasts are not predominantly occupied with the cryptocurrency market, as some might think. The blockchain does not solely serve as a platform where investors can buy Litecoin, Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and Ethereum.
The blockchain is a special technology whose impact cuts across different fields. Below are some fields and career opportunities that are available in the blockchain industry:
Blockchain developer
Blockchain developers have the expertise that is required to help different platforms to explore their blockchain potential. A blockchain developer must be highly attentive to tiny details and possess proficiency with a range of programming languages.
For instance, before becoming a blockchain developer to design and code Defi apps, one must have sufficient experience with programming languages like Python, JavaScript, and C++.
Blockchain solution architect
This job involves assigning, designing, and connecting Blockchain solution units or components in tandem with other tech experts like UX designers, network administrators, and web developers.
Blockchain project manager
A blockchain project manager has to connect other experts with Blockchain projects, to enhance blockchain solutions further.
For this role, the project managers need to have the skills of a cloud project manager. In addition, they have to be technically proficient and excellent communicators.
Blockchain UX designer
This role is similar to that of a web UI/UX designer. The only difference is that the blockchain designer has to attune his skills to blockchain software.
They have to design great interfaces that are synchronized with the complex code of the blockchain.
Conclusion
As a tech enthusiast, you should know that there are several career opportunities in the blockchain industry.
However, you should note that it is not an easy task. It requires more than mere enthusiasm. You have to be dedicated to the craft and be willing to traverse the steep learning curves with an open mind and plenty of perseverance.
You also have to begin by learning the basics of web programming, mastering key languages, which can take years to perfect.
Nevertheless, you can delve into this career path in the knowledge that blockchain is the future.
