Tech Career Decoded #9: Ever considered a blockchain career?

Ah, blockchain. You've heard it everywhere, from countless tech news articles to your colleague who just finished binge-watching "Bitconned". But what exactly is it? Is it some mythical land where cryptocurrencies roam free? (Not quite, but crypto does play a role).

In this month's newsletter, we'll share real-life stories of tech professionals who've transitioned into successful blockchain careers. We’ll also feature an exclusive Q&A with Anna Ladyshenski, a Page Executive Partner based in Germany who's an expert in executive search for the international blockchain sector. But before we get into all of that, let's briefly brush up on the basics of blockchain technology.  

What exactly is the blockchain? 🤔 Key concepts explained

Imagine a Google Doc, but instead of being stored on a single server, it's copied and distributed across a vast network of computers. Everyone on the network has a copy, and any changes need to be approved by everyone else. This is the essence of the blockchain: a secure, transparent, and decentralised way to record information. 

But the blockchain is more than just a system of record. In financial services, it's democratising international money transfers, with companies like Ripple leveraging it for faster and more secure transactions. Similarly, blockchain provides transparent tracking in supply chains, allowing consumers to see the origin of their purchases. For instance, IBM's Food Trust blockchain tracks the production journey of food items, improving consumer trust and food safety. 

Web3 is a term used to describe the next iteration of the internet, one that is built on blockchain technology and is communally controlled by its users. This means that instead of relying on a few large companies to manage our online experiences, Web3 aims for a more decentralised structure where users have more control over their data and online interactions. For instance, Web3 music platforms can provide artists with direct and transparent payments via smart contracts and increased control over their creative content and earnings. 

Let's take a quick dive into two of the most trending narratives in the world of blockchain 👇

1️⃣ Blockchain, AI, and crypto 

AI and blockchain are a powerful duo. AI can analyse the massive data sets generated by crypto transactions to spot fraud and predict market trends. Blockchain can also be used to store and share AI models securely, making them more trustworthy and efficient. Here are two real-world examples:    

• Worldcoin  

Worldcoin is a project founded by ChatGPT's Sam Altman that combines two of the hottest tech trends at the moment: AI and cryptocurrency. At a time when it's becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between humans and AI-powered smart software, the "World ID" uses AI to verify that you're a real person. But it doesn't store any personal information like your name or address. Instead, it gives you a unique identifier, like a digital fingerprint, proving you're human. Worldcoin aims to give everyone a digital identity on the blockchain, potentially opening the doors to financial services and online participation for those who might be excluded by traditional systems. 

• NEAR 

Imagine a platform for building online applications, like Amazon Web Services (AWS), but instead of being owned by one company, it's controlled by a community. That's what NEAR is, a user-friendly and carbon-neutral blockchain, built to be fast, safe, and able to grow without limit - meaning it can handle a lot of users without slowing down. This makes it easier for developers to create new applications that encourage new users to join the exciting world of Web3. NEAR Protocol is integrating AI by building an ecosystem for AI applications with its scalable blockchain and focus on AI-related projects. 

2️⃣ DePIN

Decentralised Physical Infrastructure Networks are like digital communities where people share their physical resources, such as data storage, wifi, sensors, and even energy grids. Everyone contributes what they can, and in return, they earn rewards in the form of cryptocurrency. This could be a game-changer for things like content delivery networks (think faster video streaming) or creating more robust and eco-friendly energy grids.  

• peaq

Peaq is the world's fastest-growing DePIN ecosystem where people can leverage blockchain technology to build real-world infrastructure networks. In essence, peaq provides the building blocks for these DePIN apps to function. These apps use tokens to incentivise people to contribute physical hardware to the network. For instance, an app for electric car charging might offer tokens to people who install charging stations at their homes or businesses. 

Real stories of tech professionals who made the career switch to blockchain

Building a fairer, more open digital ecosystem is a shared goal. A career in blockchain is one path to contribute to this future. Ready to make the leap? Get inspired by these tech professionals who transitioned into successful blockchain careers. 

Jens Porup (Ava Labs / Avalanche)

Jens Porup is the Chief Information Security Officer at Ava Labs, a leading international Layer 1 blockchain. Jens holds a master's degree in Cybersecurity (MICS) from UC Berkeley and was working in cybersecurity for more than 20 years before making the jump to blockchain.  

We asked Jens why he decided to go into blockchain, here's what he had to say:

"There are difficult security problems to solve in blockchain. When your real security risk exceeds your regulatory compliance risk by several orders of magnitude, companies hire great security people to solve hard problems. This unique challenge inspired me to make the switch. While cybersecurity skills like reasoning from first principles are useful, most normative security strategies in other industries don’t apply in the blockchain space. What's more, the security risk is much, much greater. That means you need to tailor bespoke solutions for extreme security situations.”  

Adam Bates (ex-Cardano / IOHK) 

Adam Bates is the former CMO of Cardano, a public blockchain platform and the highest-ranking crypto brand in the 2022 Top Brand Intimacy Report. Before embarking on a career in blockchain, Adam worked for some of the best global advertising agencies creating marketing campaigns for tech and financial brands. Adam told us which skills he found most valuable for working in blockchain:  

“Energy. Enthusiasm. Inquisitiveness. Thick skin. Tolerance for pain. They’re the obvious ones. But understanding and appreciating that you’re working with tech that has never been built before and therefore your creativity and marketing has to be like nothing done before, that’s probably the most important thing.”  

And here’s his advice for people interested in a blockchain career:  

 “Never forget, the worst thing anyone can say to a marketer is, ‘that’s not creative enough’. Blockchain is the raw bleeding edge of tech and it is challenging the big players. And it won’t succeed by being a wallflower. So download your ideas and insanity every day. Reject nothing. Enjoy everything. Be relentless.”  

The Tech Oracle: Exclusive Q&A with Anna Ladyshenski, Page’s in-house blockchain expert  

We caught up with Anna Ladyshenski to ask her about the current state of the rapidly evolving field of blockchain. With its potential to revolutionise industries from finance to supply chain management, blockchain is attracting a growing pool of talent. But where are the jobs, and who's hiring? Let's find out!  👇  

What types of companies are currently seeking blockchain professionals—are they predominantly startups, tech firms, financial institutions, or others? 

Unsurprisingly, the highest demand for blockchain professionals comes from the blockchain industry itself. These are mainly startups and smaller companies looking for skilled professionals in core technologies like Layer 1 and Layer 2 protocols, DeFi projects, along with emerging applications like Real World Asset (RWA) tokenization and Decentralised Physical Infrastructure (DePin). 

There is also some demand within traditional companies to hire blockchain professionals, with the largest demand coming from financial institutions. Big tech companies often have small blockchain divisions, but most of the time they prefer to transfer employees into Web3 roles, instead of hiring externally.

How does the demand for blockchain professionals vary across different regions or countries? 

Blockchain is by far the most international, remote-friendly industry there is. Companies often hire the best talent regardless of their country of residency, offering a high degree of flexibility for employees. However, collaboration is still important, so companies usually prefer employees in overlapping time zones for smoother coordination. 

Our annual Talent Trends 2024 report revealed that flexibility is no longer a nice-to-have, it's a top priority for today's workforce. Even as companies encourage a return to the office, employees increasingly expect the ability to work flexibly. The Talent Trends 2024 report is a comprehensive global survey of nearly 50,000 skilled professionals conducted by Michael Page. Read the full insights here. 

Are there particular blockchain hubs or geographic areas where you see a significant concentration of opportunities? 

Despite blockchain being a truly global industry, there are several blockchain hubs, including Dubai, Lisbon, Paris, Berlin, Zug / Zürich, Silicon Valley, New York, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore. 

Based on your experience, where do you see the biggest growth in blockchain career opportunities in the near future? 

After a rough bear market, when most companies were firing rather than hiring, there was still an increased demand in the Web3 space for experienced marketing and business development professionals. The shift from self-preservation to expansion drove this change. This is a trend that I believe will continue. 

What advice would you give to tech professionals looking to pivot or start their careers in blockchain? 

The global blockchain space is attracting a lot of talent, so standing out is key for an international career with leading protocols. Consider attending industry conferences and hackathons to connect with people from these protocols in person.    

Did you find Anna's blockchain insights valuable? Follow her on LinkedIn for blockchain leadership jobs and more recruitment insights! 

Is this newsletter sparking your interest in a blockchain career? Are there any concerns you have about this field? 

We love hearing from our tech-savvy community, so please drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation. 

And don't miss out on our future editions by subscribing to stay updated with the latest tech insights. 

Thanks for reading!  

The Michael Page Technology team