It’s Time for 26-million Global Developer Community to Admit Attractiveness of Web3

• Upskilling in blockchain technology could provide a lifeline.
• The career prospects for developers in Web3 are likely to improve.
• Merging technologies can significantly accelerate development processes.

With layoffs a hot topic across all areas of the tech sector, surely it is time for the wider developer community to plan for the future. Just last month, Google announced  another wave of layoffs.

At one point in recent history, software professionals were untouchable. Where can they look for new opportunities?

Some might say, they were the holy grail of the tech industry. Companies scrambled to recruit the leading figures, with offers of six-figure salaries the norm, and oftentimes battles between recruitment agencies looking to add software skills to their books.

However, today it is a very different story. Although the demand for software engineers still exists, the outlook for code-based roles is quickly changing, as the world moves with artificial intelligence (AI) infiltration. According to a recent survey  by Resume Builder of over 900 business leaders, four in every ten layoffs will be due to AI.

So, how could upskilling in blockchain-related language models help those who are laid off or those in a position that may be interrupted in the near future?

The language Web3 understands

Now is the time to take ownership of your future career prospects. Web3 technology offers a new path for developers to discover.

As developers are already familiar with learning the language of software, translating the language of blockchain will come easier to them. This would allow them to position themselves as valuable assets in a market hungry for decentralized solutions.

Amar Bedi, a Chief Operations Officer at Tashi Protocol believes that Web3 is still in its infancy. However, this is quickly changing. “Traditional industries like gaming, IoT, and supply chain are adopting blockchain for their benefits. These include lower transaction costs and secure data, among others. For these industries to adopt this novel tech, the world needs many devs to be able to code in the language Web3 understands.”

AI is now forcing all of us to look at our contribution to the workplace. The traditional roles and hierarchy of tech companies are changing, and these changes will continue to accelerate with widespread use of AI.

Commitment to Web3 development

Developers must proactively seek ways to stay relevant. Whether through education, communication, or financial incentives, developers can leverage Web3. According to Gülcan Yayla, a co-founder and CEO of the education platform Rise In, the main motivating factor for developers to learn Web3 is building skills and a career.

Rise In analyzed data from 26,913 developers enrolled in their Web3 courses and found that only 6% of developers were motivated by starting a company or applying for grant opportunities.

Yayla points out that the incentives for developers need to be pointed in the right direction, “Programs that would attract these developers intellectually and even give them a chance to integrate learnings into their day-to-day jobs may result in better representation of experienced devs in Web3.”

Furthermore, the welcome sign needs to be firmly planted in front of new developers who may be investigating opportunities in Web3. Bedi understands that there are barriers to entry but believes that a warm welcome awaits those who are looking for stability in their future careers:

“Unfortunately, Web3 goes through cycles in which devs join in troughs and leave equally fast when the markets crash. This is evolving as more traditional industries hire developers who can code for Web3. As the adoption of this tech increases, there will be more stable jobs that will attract more developers to appreciate the value of learning Web3.”

Uniting developers from both domains

There are some ways in which Web3 organizations can encourage more collaboration and help unlock the full potential of a merged environment. For example, pairing experienced Web3 developers with their Web2 counterparts can organically occur, allowing knowledge-sharing and skills transfer.

This synergy enriches the entire developer community. Web2 developers have the experience and skills in user experience that can help simplify the current Web3 onboarding processes.

According to Chris Jameson, a Director of Global Programs at Fireblocks, for the majority of users who have yet to engage with Web3 applications, connections to existing or creating new wallets is a foreign and intimidating onboarding process. “Organizations need to completely remove this complexity from the onboarding experience,” he says.

Collaboration between all technology providers and builders is paramount with the pace of change across all industry processes today. The entire developer ecosystem can thrive by acknowledging the challenges facing Web2 developer communities and offering support and resources.

Blockchain technology presents an opportunity for developers to come together, share knowledge, and build a more inclusive future.

From the Ethereum Foundation developer community to new protocols to new platforms, the Web3 ecosystem is teeming with opportunities for developers to make their mark. By showcasing real-world examples of successful Web3 integration, developers can gain insights and inspiration to embark on their own journeys into this exciting frontier.

Adoption remains a high priority across all Web3 ecosystems, so it is important to acknowledge the challenges facing Web2 developer communities and how Web3 tools might be a key to opportunities for all developers to offer a comprehensive knowledge base.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the article belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to CCN, its management, employees, or affiliates. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice.