If you’ve heard or read about cryptocurrencies over the last few years, chances are you’ve also been exposed to blockchains. However, blockchain is a relatively new technology that demands knowledgeable professionals like other technologies.
This article looks at the blockchain developer profession and how you can get into blockchain with the help of a blockchain developer bootcamp. We will explore what a blockchain developer is, how to become a blockchain developer, why blockchain developers are in demand, and how long it takes to become a blockchain developer. We will even explore aspects of blockchain developer training and teach how to become a blockchain developer from scratch.
Let’s start our journey with a definition of blockchain development.
What is Blockchain Development?
So we already know that a blockchain is a new database that stores and organizes information. With blockchains, information is digitally formatted and gathered into clusters or blocks. Each block features a limited storage capacity; when it’s full, it’s closed and linked to the preceding block cryptographically.
Blockchain development, on the other hand, involves building, maintaining, and designing blockchain systems and applications. In general, blockchain development attempts to use blockchain technology’s unique features to solve problems and create new opportunities.
What is a Blockchain Developer?
Building off the blockchain development definition, blockchain developers are tech professionals who work on blockchain technology. They are responsible for carrying out related blockchain tasks, such as designing blockchain protocols and building smart contracts, to name a few. Blockchain developers have the knowledge and skillsets required to develop and optimize decentralized applications (also called dApps), smart contracts, and blockchain architecture and protocols. Blockchain developers also work with 3D design, 3D modeling, and 3D content development, as you would find in game development.
The Types of Blockchain Developers
When figuring out how to become a blockchain developer, it’s good to know the different types there are in the market today. Blockchain developers come in several different flavors.
Core blockchain developers
Core blockchain developers design, develop, and optimize the protocols that support blockchain solutions. For instance, core developers create the consensus protocol, which defines how members use the blockchain, how they can do so, the resources they agree to share, and the actual use of these resources.
Additionally, core blockchain developers are responsible for the following.
- Making decisions relating to the above
- Implementing the blockchain’s functionality and features ensures they work as planned
- Designing and implementing network security
- Ensuring the network remains operational
- Planning, designing, and implementing blockchain network integrations with other services
- Planning extensions of the network’s features and functionality
Blockchain Software Developers
Blockchain software developers develop and implement the designs as the core developer relays. They also do the following.
- Developing dApps
- Implementing smart contracts as designed by core developers
- Ensuring dApps run as intended
- Researching and overseeing the integration of the blockchain network with other services and apps
Back-end Developers
These developers typically design and develop APIs, conduct blockchain deployment and performance tests, design software specifications, assist developers in developing software, and supply technical support.
Smart Contract Engineers
Smart contract engineers develop and audit smart contracts, meet with buyers and users, grasp the principles of business flows and security to ensure flawless smart contracts, and perform end-to-end testing of the business processes.
What Are the Benefits of Becoming a Blockchain Developer?
There are many compelling reasons for you to become a blockchain developer. However, here are some of the most significant.
- There is a high demand. Blockchain is an exciting and disruptive technology, so developers are highly needed. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates that software development jobs will rise by 22% between 2020 and 2030. Other studies predict the blockchain market will exceed $39 billion by 2025.
- The pay is excellent. Glassdoor.com reports that blockchain developers earn an average of $102,003 per year.
- Your blockchain skills can work with other new technologies. Blockchain technology integrates well with other emerging technologies, such as the Internet of Things.
- You work with better security and digital identity. Security is a big concern today, and organizations constantly look for more effective ways to protect their digital resources. Blockchain offers organizations a better way to secure their operations and platforms. In addition, blockchain platforms and digital identities offer more cost-effective processes for developers and their organizations.
- You get the opportunity to branch out into teaching. Once you master the skills needed to work effectively in blockchain development, you can open additional revenue streams by instructing others in the skills, so they can develop as you did.
How to Become a Blockchain Developer
Now that you see what a blockchain developer is all about and why it’s a great idea to become one, you may be wondering exactly how to pull this off. Here are the recommended steps for your journey into how to become a blockchain developer.
Establish an academic foundation
It’s recommended that you have a solid educational background, typically in the Information Technology or Computer Science field, either with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Granted, having this background is optional, making the journey much more manageable.
Acquire proficiency in the relevant skills
Unlike the degrees mentioned earlier, it is essential to master these skills.
- Programming Languages. You must learn the programming concepts to become a Blockchain Developer, especially object-oriented programming. A solid knowledge of programming languages helps you conveniently develop blockchain applications and various related tasks. You can choose from programming languages like Java, C++, or Python, to name a few. However, it helps to learn more than one because you never know where you will end up working and what programming languages the company favors.
- Data Structures. Blockchain developers use data structures to develop an immutable and efficient system. Therefore, you should completely understand data structures such as binary trees, linked lists, hashing, heap, graphs, and many more.
- Databases and Networking. You must possess fundamental knowledge about databases and networking concepts to begin your journey in blockchain development. This knowledge helps you better understand distributed systems’ mechanisms and other concepts vital for Blockchain Development.
- Cryptography. Cryptography is at the top of the list of all the essential technical skills you need for blockchain development. You must learn about cryptographic concepts like digital signatures, hash functions, RSA algorithms, and many more. These concepts are critical to establishing a solid foundation for your blockchain development training.
- Additional technical skills. Blockchain developers must be familiar with development processes and web design. These skills will help you with tasks such as working with APIs or developing dApps.
- Non-technical skills. The better blockchain developers have strong communication skills because they often work with teams and managers. They should also have good time-management and problem-solving skills.
Get educated in blockchain basics
Once you master the relevant skills, you must understand blockchain technology fundamentals. You will need to understand blockchain technology in detail, including how it works, appropriate applications, etc. Additionally, you must have a sound knowledge of blockchain architecture and grasp concepts like a consensus, hash functions, and distributed ledger technology. Furthermore, you must learn about Bitcoin and other essential concepts such as private and public and private, decentralization, and much more. You can gain this knowledge through various offline and online resources such as tutorials, journals, and training sessions.
Gain the necessary certifications
Certifications are great ways to learn relevant skills and tangibly demonstrate to recruiters that you possess the knowledge they’re looking for. If you earn blockchain developer certification, you become a more well-rounded candidate and will distinguish yourself from the crowd of applicants, as well as lock in a robust skill set. Here are the best certifications to pursue:
- Smart contracts
- Solidity
- Coding
- Cryptonomics
- Ethereum
- Dapps
Consider joining a blockchain hackathon, practice, training, or internship programs
Nothing beats hands-on experience. This process helps you to take all your theoretical learning and apply it to the practical world while gaining more exposure. The experience also helps you become more proficient with blockchain technology and its respective tools and platforms. You can do this by writing sample smart contracts and developing your own dApps, among others. Also, you could apply for various training programs or internships. These positions guarantee you will get all the necessary resources and the opportunity to work in suitable environments. Finally, you can join discussion groups such as Reddit Forums, Stack Exchange, etc., to connect with blockchain professionals, create contacts, and gain valuable insights and information.
Get a job as a blockchain engineer or developer
We finally arrived at the goal! So put together that resume or CV, load it with the experience, education, and skills you’ve obtained, and apply for the position of your dreams.
If you’re trying to start a blockchain developer career from scratch, you should acquire as many certifications as possible, supplementing them with a thorough knowledge of programming languages. Furthermore, you will find the journey more effortless if you have a good grip on the aforementioned non-technical skills.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Blockchain Developer?
There is no single correct answer to the question of time. It depends on the individual, their educational background, their skillsets, what courses they take, and how much hands-on experience they manage to collect. However, the range extends from three months to three years, the worst-case scenario.
Your actual mileage may vary.
How to Become a Blockchain Developer: Take the Training You Need
After reading about how certification is crucial to becoming a blockchain developer, you may wonder where you can find certification. Look no further than this fantastic Blockchain Developer certification course.The University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management presents this six-month bootcamp that turns you into an expert on blockchain technology, teaching you how to build and administer smart contracts, create enterprise and public blockchain technologies, and learn about Hyperledger, Ethereum, and much more.
You will also learn other blockchain-related skills including:
- Bitcoin
- Consensus
- Distributed Ledgers
- Cryptography and Cryptocurrency
- Hyperledger
- Networks
Upon completing the bootcamp, you will earn your certificate from the Carlson School of Management and Simplilearn. This is the course you need to make your blockchain developer dreams into reality. So check out the bootcamp today, and get started on a bright, promising future in blockchain!
