Everyone’s talking about it. Crypto and blockchain have the power to change the world as we know it and no matter how you feel about them, it’s looking very likely that they’re here to stay. It’s an exciting new frontier, and if you’re looking to jump on the bandwagon, here’s how you can nab yourself a job in the crypto industry.
Get familiar with Crypto & Blockchain
The first and most obvious step you should take is to know your stuff. Read up on the original digital assets, and their values and histories. There are literally tons of resources on the internet, so take a deep dive. The original and most popular digital assets out there — Bitcoin and Ethereum for example — have websites dedicated to educating the layman on the nature and inner workings of their protocols and blockchain. Other places you can turn to for your crypto-education include social media sites like YouTube and Discord, places that offer online courses such as Udemy, and websites dedicated to Crypto such as coinmarketcap.com.
There’s no better way to get acquainted with digital assets than to get onto an exchange and buy some yourself. Only invest what you’re willing to lose though because the markets continue to be volatile (not financial advice). Some great exchanges to get on are FTX, Binance, Crypto.com, and Coinbase, but there are many, many more.
Read up on Bitcoin
Bitcoin is the daddy of digital assets. Getting into crypto without knowing a thing or two about Bitcoin would be like writing screen-plays with no knowledge of Shakespeare. Bitcoin remains highly relevant today, even if newer digital assets have been enjoying better press. Bitcoin.org has some pretty comprehensive material on this particular asset, as do many other websites. See if you can get your hands on some documentaries as well. Several have been made about bitcoin. You may be able to find them on Youtube and certain streaming platforms. If you engage better with books, pick up The Bitcoin Standard.
Understand NFTs
Non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, are units of data on the blockchain that can be traded and sold. Digital art is commonly sold as NFTs, and one of the biggest marketplaces for it is opensea.io. If you’re not familiar with this particular area of the blockchain, there are some resources there for you to look at. Rarible.com is another website that deals with digital items, and you can also try your hand at creating something.
What’s your area of expertise?
Just like with every other industry, the crypto space has needs for various types of skills. The most obvious ones are IT related — blockchain engineers and software developers, but there are also positions in marketing, human resources, and content creation, to name a few. Half of the positions in the field nowadays are non-IT related, so don’t despair if coding is not exactly your strong suit. Evaluate your skills and decide how you want to participate in the crypto space.
Build your Network
The crypto community pretty much lives online, so as long as you have access to a computer, you’re set. The biggest community of crypto experts are on Twitter, but similar communities can be found on Instagram, Discord, Reddit, and Telegram as well. Once you have a good grasp of the field, get involved in a community, participate in discussions, and ask relevant questions. Because the industry is still new, and far less informal than your traditional industry, it will be easier for you to connect with higher-level professionals in these spaces.
Having a virtual presence is a start, but don’t underestimate the value of a physical meeting. Look for meetups and conferences in your area and connect with industry professionals there. People are more likely to remember someone they’ve met in person. Besides, conferences are a great way to get the latest crypto news and to really familiarise yourself with the current state of the technology.
Volunteer
A good way to get your feet wet is by volunteering. Smaller start-ups are always happy for a helping hand, and as they probably can’t afford to pay you, they won’t expect too much, so you’ll be able to work with no pressure. It also puts you on the radar, and they may refer you to other people in the crypto space — some of whom may even be looking to fill a position.
We’re all in this together
The great thing about the crypto industry is that it is very accepting of new talent. So don’t be afraid to jump in and immerse yourself in this world of opportunity. Remember though that while the roles and requirements for a job in crypto might be more fluid than in the traditional finance industry, this does not mean that an employer will accept just anybody. The industry is young and full of passionate and dedicated people who respond well to similarly passionate and dedicated people. The easiest way to get a job is really the most straightforward way — research, engage, network, and do so with the genuine belief that you’re working towards a better financial world.