If you’re looking for a job in the crypto industry, you’ve probably enrolled in some programming courses. Great idea! However, there are plenty of careers connected with blockchain technologies that don’t require special engineering skills. It’s enough to have a basic understanding of how does the distributed ledger work. And if you’re an accomplished web designer, product manager, or legal consultant, you can find your place under this digital sun. Let’s have a look at the top skills needed for career opportunities in blockchain. We’ll start from the simplest one, understanding the nature of cryptocurrencies.
Skill 1: Knowing the main principles of blockchain processes
Why do we start from cryptocurrencies and not from cryptography? Cryptography is a method of hiding knowledge in private messages from third parties. Yes, crypto algorithms are the basics of blockchain architecture. And no, you don’t necessarily need to be able to encrypt and decrypt data to start using and working with the blockchain.
It’s much easier to understand how does distributed ledger works by getting familiar with cryptocurrencies. Because everyone knows how to earn, store and transfer money. And cryptocurrencies are well-known funds, but circulating online and without a single controlling party (like the government or banks). There are the main things every crypto enthusiast have to know about the industry:
- Blockchain is a secure database. All the files are encrypted and only the owner can access them. For example, every wallet address is a unique set of symbols, and every operation should be confirmed at least twice — by the private signature of the owner (a private key) and by network validators (miners). In addition, the history of records is copied between all the network participants so DDoS and other online hacks are literally impossible.
- The protocol is open-source. That means everyone with an internet connection can view it and use it to launch their own projects. DApps are the best real-life examples.
- Crypto transactions are anonymous and irreversible. If you send funds to another wallet, the transaction can not be canceled or reversed. Because records in the distributed ledger are ordered chronologically and no one can change them.
- Blockchain provides automated solutions for different spheres. Starting from decentralizing the finance services to monetization of intellectual property. Just have a look at the list of top DeFi projects, maybe you’ll find the one you’re willing to work with.
If you’re looking for a place where you can find more details about crypto projects and blockchain technologies, you can visit one of the trusted crypto platforms, like the CEX.IO crypto exchange. In their support center or blog, you can find a lot of useful tips for working with cryptocurrencies as well as different crypto project researches.
Skill 2: Experience in blockchain architecture and smart contracts
Knowing the blockchain architecture is mandatory for all specialists, starting from developers to support managers.
To go through the complicated blockchain structure backward and towards, future experts should read the whitepapers. However, these documents may involve a high level of complexity, so the supporting articles and blogs will be your helpers there.
What you’ll need to know and practice when employing a blockchain career:
Working in peer-to-peer (P2P) networks — two or more computers directly connected with the aim to share and store files without a central server. In P2P networks, all the nodes (parties) usually have equal powers and can manage the same tasks.
Understand blockchain mining — the process of validating the transactions and extracting new coins.
Know the consensus algorithms. The most popular are Proof of Work (PoW) and Proof of Stake (PoS). The first one uses miners, hashing, and computer powers to validate the transactions. And the second one based on the number of coins a validator has in his wallet.
Creating and using smart contracts. This instrument can help different businesses to launch cryptocurrencies, build dApps, initiate fundraising, draw up contact, and much more. You can find a range of detailed guides on the Internet.
Skill 3: Implementing distributed ledger in various use cases
Knowing where and how you can apply the distributed ledger will give you a sustainable advantage over other candidates. Even if you don’t have practical experience in implementing blockchain solutions, having a primary understanding of the use cases will help you in your future career. You just need to get familiar with the services of existing blockchain projects and use some creativity to find insights on how it can help the company offering you a job position. The most common spheres for using blockchain technologies are:
Finance system: money transferring, loans, savings accounts, even pension funds are now available even on decentralized crypto platforms.
Business sector: real-time tracking of the supply chains, accounting, drawing up the agreements, accepting payments.
Healthcare: save storing and sharing data between clinics.
Entertainment: broadcasting platforms and protected intellectual property ownership.
Elections and all that government stuff: automatic tracking and counting votes, meanwhile preventing frauds and falsifications; transparent fundraising for non-governments, simplified taxing.
Think that this ability is for product managers and developers? Not exactly. Imagine your company got a new partner — clinic, for instance. And you’re, a web designer should arrange an awesome UX. Your actions? Probably will go searching the medical sites for references, studying the partner services, and so on. But didn’t you forgot that you’re working with all that blockchain perks? Maybe there will be options to keep the medical card in the ledger or fund the account with cryptocurrencies. You should know about that in advance to represent your ideas.
Who’s hiring?
If you look for blockchain careers, it does not necessarily mean you should look for open vacancies at a crypto platform. Giants of the tech sphere like Amazon, Facebook, and Microsoft have already utilized blockchain and it has become a fashion trend for industries.
In fact, many tech entrepreneurs are looking for possibilities to improve their services with blockchain technology. So, both big players and startups are open hands for crypto specialists. For sure, they mostly look for experienced developers and programmers when they likely have their time-tested team of lawyers, accountants, marketers, etc. However, you can always address the crypto exchange platforms or emerging DeFi projects and start your crypto career from the scratch.
By the way, if you are a crypto trader, you could begin the career in the industry at ease. Because you already know the fundamentals: understand the nature of the crypto market, experience in working with hashed transactions, and surely follow the industry news to be in the know of the latest trends.
In case your crypto journey is just started, you need a robust exchange platform to make your first steps with minimum effort. For example, the CEX.IO exchange offers a range of simple tools for buying digital assets for fiat (dollars, euro), trading, staking cryptocurrencies, getting crypto-backed loans, and even open a savings account. Get their Bitcoin exchange mobile app on your smartphone and you can practice different crypto operations in your free time. Say, when you’re going to the interview.