When searching for jobs, it may seem strange to look specifically in the blockchain industry, especially for someone lacking knowledge in the area. For most laymen, the words “blockchain” and “crypto” bring to mind Bitcoin, and not much else. However, even if your knowledge of blockchain and cryptocurrencies is lacking, it should not discourage you from looking into the industry to jumpstart or advance your career.
Now is potentially the best time to look into blockchain and its myriad career opportunities. According to Deloitte’s 2020 Global Blockchain Survey (conducted from February 5 - March 3 of 2020, surveying 1,488 senior executives and practitioners from 14 countries with some understanding of blockchain), 55% of respondents stated that for their organization, blockchain is within their top 5 strategic priorities. This percentage went up from 53% in 2019 and 43% in 2018.
“Leaders no longer consider the technology groundbreaking and merely promising—they now see it as integral to organizational innovation.”
This positive trend is further substantiated by LinkedIn, which produced a list of most in-demand hard skills that employers are looking for in 2020. ‘Hard’ skills are learned abilities that strengthen with experience. The list was determined by aggregating the skills stated on user profiles and the frequency at which they were hired. According to their observations, blockchain is the most in-demand skill globally from hiring employers.
Glassdoor stated that in 2019, the number of blockchain jobs was 300% higher than in 2018. According to Indeed, the number of crypto job postings increased by 26% from September 2018 to September 2019. However, crypto job searches decreased by 53% over the same period.
It is safe to say that employers have been putting more weight on blockchain-related positions in their organizations, and will continue to do so in the future. Demand for these skills is high, as evidenced by the number of job openings, and at the same time, judging by the marked decrease in job searches, not many people are looking into filling those positions.
These trends are encouraging for somebody hoping to break into the industry, even with little to no experience in blockchain itself. There are opportunities in blockchain for a plethora of backgrounds and interests.
According to Hired, a job site focused on careers in technology, in 2019, the average blockchain developer earned between $150,000 and $175,000, while the average software developer earned around $137,000. Furthermore, in the same year, it found that there had been a 517% increase in demand for software engineers with blockchain development skills.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ job outlook for software developers expects a growth of 21% from 2018 to 2028.
As opposed to the developer or engineer, the blockchain architect is more business-focused, and leadership skills are paramount. Consequently, it is rare to find this role without some previous employment experience, preferably technical. Most job listings require at least 2-3 years of developer or management experience. Nevertheless, for those with the experience who are hoping to advance their career, this job could be a suitable fit.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ job outlook for computer network architects expects a growth of 5% from 2018 to 2028.
The job search does not have to be limited to cryptocurrency or software companies. Businesses like Amazon and Walmart are actively hiring for project managers and supply chain managers.
The job of a project manager is all-encompassing, and requires people skills as well as technical knowledge to communicate between teams. This is also a career that can be very beneficial for advancement. With managerial and leadership experience, a project manager is primed to take over other higher-level positions.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ job outlook for computer and information systems managers expects a growth of 11% from 2018 to 2028.
UI and UX designers are often conflated, but there are important differences between the two roles. UX designers, also known as user experience designers, make sure that the product flows well and is straightforward to use. Because of this, they may perform user tests to tweak and improve the product’s user experience.
UI designers, or user interface designers, are more concerned with the formatting and visual appeal of the product. They decide where to put certain graphics and information. Both roles are crucial in the blockchain industry, as the way the user interacts with the product ultimately drives its success.
These positions, along with that of a software developer, are some of the jobs on this list that more often than not require a bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ job outlook for web designers expects a growth of 13% from 2018 to 2028.
The legal field is not often the first thing that comes to mind when considering careers in blockchain, but it is definitely pertinent to many companies, especially blockchain companies that deal with smart contracts. They may require attorneys or legal consultants to advise them on its implementation, regulations, and compliance standards to follow.
Job hunting in the field of law is notoriously difficult due to discrepancies between yearly law graduates and job openings. Law school graduate employment, however, has actually gradually increased in recent years, up to 89.4% for the class of 2018, compared to 84.5% for the class of 2013. The blockchain industry, additionally, is an attractive option for those who hold both J.D. degrees and bachelor’s degrees in economics or computer science.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ job outlook for lawyers expects a growth of 6% from 2018 to 2028.
Blockchain has the potential to disrupt the field of data science. With an increase in transparency and trust, data scientists can be assured of the authenticity of data. The use of blockchain technology also makes it easier to share data accurately with others. Blockchain data scientists can expect to develop models to analyze trends and share authentic data with others.
Demand and job growth for data scientists is positive. In 2018, the job of data scientist ranked by Glassdoor as the best job in the United States. It was also found in 2019 by LinkedIn that there was a 56% increase in job openings for data scientists in the US, and was rated the most promising U.S. job that year.
“You’re the one with a connection to all of them, the person who can see the entire picture and voice comments or concerns for everyone involved.”
A career in blockchain product management is appealing because it is a leadership role that also involves deep understanding of technical processes. While product managers are not developers, they require knowledge because they work closely with development teams. People skills are also a must, as they communicate with both teams and clients. Similar to other managerial positions mentioned on this list, a job in product management can be a gateway to higher oversight positions.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ job outlook for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers expects a growth of 8% from 2018 to 2028.
Market analysts study market conditions, produce models, and analyze trends to help a company determine the best way to sell products. They perform research to determine demand and consumer behaviors.
Market analytics is paramount to business growth and success, and market analysts will always be needed to assess market conditions and observe consumer behavior to give organizations the most advantage. Since the blockchain industry is considered relatively new, market research analysts are especially critical for businesses; the information they provide could be integral to the success of a product or service.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ job outlook for market analysts expects a growth of 20% from 2018 to 2028.
The field of business development is broad, but in essence, it concerns the opportunities that pertain to the growth of businesses. It can involve planning for long-term visions, searching for and contacting potential clients, writing proposals, following industry trends, and maintaining relationships with stakeholders. This is a relatively senior position, and requires experience. While an MBA is not required, a bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, or marketing could be useful.
Many blockchain companies are relatively new, so the role of the business development manager is especially vital to the long-term success and health of a company. They must seek out opportunities to ensure the growth of the business, as well as produce proposals that can help the company thrive.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ job outlook for business development managers expects a growth of 8% from 2018 to 2028.
Human resource managers and talent acquisition specialists are staples at any company. For companies implementing blockchain, talent acquisition specialists are especially important because they must search for developers and other technical-minded employees to best manage and construct the company’s blockchain network and products.
Since this position is non-technical, it could be an attractive option for those who are interested in blockchain but do not possess the knowledge of its inner workings.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ job outlook for human resource managers and talent acquisition specialists expects a growth of 7% from 2018 to 2028.
Quality assurance analysts are responsible for testing products and solving problems when they arise. One responsibility may be to test a company’s software for bugs, and for this reason, blockchain quality assurance analysts generally need to have technical experience and knowledge, preferably with an education or background in engineering or computer science.
Many cryptocurrency wallet and exchange companies are often on the lookout for quality assurance analysts. These companies include Kraken Digital Asset Exchange, Gemini, and Binance.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ job outlook for computer systems analysts expects a growth of 9% from 2018 to 2028.
Notable Industries and Companies
There are numerous industries and companies that have implemented or are planning to implement blockchain technology. The ones that come to mind first are generally those pertaining to cryptocurrency wallets and exchange. Such companies include:
IBM, specifically, offers blockchain services for companies, and their use cases include the automotive industry, healthcare, travel, and government, among others. There is no shortage of opportunities and types of opportunities. This field truly caters to all interests.
The companies with some of the most job openings for blockchain, that have not already been mentioned, include:
Summary
Whether you are looking for an entry-level job, or hoping to take the next step in your career, the blockchain industry has a multitude of opportunities. More and more companies are implementing blockchain technology every year, and the number of job openings will likely continue to increase. The future of the industry is promising, and regardless of your background or expertise, there is a place for you.
Wouldn't it be a good idea to create a course?
