It's 2023 - the technology industry has seen a lot of innovations and advancements. Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Blockchain are making huge waves.

Learning a tech skill is a huge investment you can make in your current and future self.

In this article, we'll focus on steps to take if you're interested in becoming a Web3 developer.

Who is a Web3 Developer?

To understand the role of a Web3 developer, you need to understand what Web3 means.

Web 3 in simple terms is the decentralized version of the Web, where the user has access to read, write and own on the Web.

A Web3 developer builds decentralized applications (dApps) on the blockchain using blockchain tech. These applications carry out smart contracts, that solve real-world problems.

What to learn to become a Web3 Developer

These concepts are required to be understood and practised by anyone who intends to build a career in Web3 development:

Learn How to Learn

Learning is an art that requires patience and commitment. Most times, we approach learning without a plan and goal. Daniel Daines-Hutt in his article; "How To Learn Anything: Faster And More Efficiently" shares practical steps on things to do, that will help you learn efficiently.

Tuomas Kivioja in this video shares how he would learn to code in 2023, watch and learn from it.

Software Development Foundations

Build a strong understanding of software development concepts, including version control with Git and Github, before diving into Web3 development. Check out this video on Software development concepts.

Blockchain Fundamentals

Learn the basics of blockchain technology, including how it works and its core concepts.

Learn JavaScript

JavaScript is a programming language that is used for web development and is also applied in the Web3 development space. It'll be good to have a basic understanding of JavaScript when learning to become a Web3 developer.

Solidity and Smart Contracts

Solidity is a programming language that is used in Web3 development. Be sure to build proficiency in it. Also, learn how to create and work with smart contracts on blockchain platforms like Ethereum or Cardano.

Decentralized Applications (DApps)

DApps are applications that are built on the blockchain and execute smart contracts. Some examples are; Uniswap, Metamask, and OpenSea.

Research and learn how decentralized applications (DApps) interact with smart contracts.

Web3 Libraries and Tools

Programming languages have libraries and frameworks that can be used when building software. Familiarize yourself with Web3 libraries and tools like Web3.js or ethers.js for building applications that interact with blockchain networks.

Participate in Hackathons

Hackathons are community events, (can be virtual, onsite or hybrid) that bring together developer teams, designers and techies to collaborate and build projects in a set time. It could be 24 hours, 3 days or more.

In the Web3 space, different organizations host Hackathons for teams to participate. When learning, building real-world projects helps solidify your skills. Check this page by LearnWeb3 to see Hackathons to join.

Resources to Learn Web3 Development

There are free resources to get started. Check them out:

Learn Web3
Alchemy University
Full Stack Web3 Development course by Patrick Collins

Remember, the greatest investment you can make is in yourself. Learning Web3 development today has a high ROI.

What does it require?

Commitment
Discipline
Showing up every day

Here are some tips I have learned from my experience in Software development:

Start with a course, and complete it.
Apply what you learn, build simple projects and advance forward.
Share what you learn on your socials, and write articles about your learnings.
Engage in tech communities, be active.
Put yourself out there, research opportunities.

Image by pikisuperstar on Freepik