🚀 From Web2 to Web3 Engineer: Embracing the Blockchain Revolution!
Hey there, fellow developers!
Today, I want to share my personal journey of transitioning from a seasoned Android Engineer with over 10 years of experience to a Web3 Engineer, and how you can do the same. It's been an exhilarating ride, and I want to inspire you to embark on this transformative path as well, especially in this bear market.
As an Android engineer, I spent years immersed in the world of mobile app development. However, my fascination with blockchain technology grew stronger over the years, and I found myself spending a significant amount of time exploring everything happening in the crypto space. It was then that I made a pivotal decision – I wanted to learn how to write smart contracts and dive into the world of decentralized applications 🤩.
My journey began with Ethereum and Solidity, but as I delved deeper, I realized it didn't quite resonate with me. Even though Ethereum had the highest total value locked in the market, I considered the possibility that if my endeavors were to fail (although unlikely), I might be left with a skill, Solidity, that may not be as easily transferable.
So I moved on and started looking into Cosmos and its visionary approach to the internet of blockchains. The cosmos ecosystem captivated me, and I knew I had found my calling 😍. I went all-in without hesitation, embracing the Cosmos SDK, Rust programming language and the CosmWasm framework.
Funnily enough, a week after I started learning Rust an opportunity knocked to work on a DeFi project, which I grabbed without hesitation. That decision changed the trajectory of my career, and I haven't looked back since. Learning Rust and CosmWasm opened up a whole new world of possibilities, meeting incredibly people from all around the globe and enabling me to build smart contracts and contribute to the decentralized web.
Join me
Now, I invite you to join me on this transformative journey. The Web3 revolution is still in its early stages, and there's an incredible opportunity for developers like us to shape the future. Don't let the bear market deter you – it's during these challenging times that breakthroughs happen, and doors of opportunity swing open. Bear markets are for building, and those who build during the bear market win big in the bull market.
So, whether you're an experienced developer seeking a new frontier or a novice programmer with a curious mind, embrace the blockchain revolution cause like AI, it’s inevitable.
If you want to go the backend route then learn Rust, explore the Cosmos ecosystem, and unlock the potential of smart contract development. If you want to do frontend then learn the libraries helping you integrate with the cosmos such as cosmjs, wallet integrations and block explorers. The path ahead may be challenging, but the rewards are immeasurable.
Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate this transformative shift:
📚 Educate Yourself: Start by diving into resources that introduce blockchain, decentralized technologies, and smart contract development. Go read the Cosmos SDK and the CosmWasm docs. Learn Rust 🦀. Learn cosmjs, featherjs.
🤝 Join the Community: Engage with the vibrant Web3 developer community. Participate in online forums, vote in governance proposals, attend virtual and IRL meetups and conferences, and follow influential figures on social media. Network, learn, and collaborate with like-minded individuals. Here are just a few of the bright minds to follow in the Cosmos space:
🔬 Experiment with Side Projects: Embrace hands-on learning! Start by building small decentralized applications or experimenting with existing projects. You don’t need to build the next Uniswap, start small. Just try building something very simple to play around with the CosmWasm framework and get the feeling of it.
🌱 Embrace Open Source: This one is a gem overlooked by many. Contributing to open-source projects within the Cosmos can be handsomely rewarded and even land you a full-time position! Go visit the Github repo of your favorite protocols and check the issues page. There you will find things the team needs help with, whether it is fixing bugs or adding new features to the protocol. It's a fantastic way to gain exposure, expand your skill set, and collaborate with experienced developers.
🛠️ Adapt Your Skill Set: While Web3 development shares similarities with Web2 development, there are new concepts and tools to master. What would you use instead of AWS? What about storage? What’s the testing framework, IDE? If you have any Web2 knowledge, try to map it into their Web3 equivalents.
🐻 Navigate the Bear Market: During market downturns, opportunities arise! Explore freelance gigs, contribute to bounties, or join blockchain-focused startups. Embrace the challenge, and your Web3 skills will shine even brighter.
Remember, the transition is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay curious, be patient, and keep learning. I believe the Web3 revolution is still in its early stages, and by diving in now, you're positioning yourself at the forefront of an exciting future!
Happy leaning!