One of the best ways to prepare for this career is to learn how to code. Programming languages that are frequently used to create blockchain include C++, Python, Go, JavaScript, Solidity, and Java. The following online learning platforms offer free or low-cost classes in coding: Codeacademy (https://www.codecademy.com), edX (https://www.edx.org), Coursera (https://www.coursera.org), and Khan Academy (https://www.khanacademy.org).

Cryptography is another important knowledge area. The American Cryptogram Association offers a variety of free cryptographic-related downloads at https://www.cryptogram.org/resource-area. The Khan Academy offers a free online class, Journey into Cryptography, at https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-science/cryptography.

Take an introductory course on blockchain technology. Your local community college or online learning platforms may offer classes. For example, Coursera offers Blockchain Basics. Visit https://www.coursera.org/learn/blockchain-basics for more information.   

Talk to blockchain developers about their careers. Ask them how they trained for the field, what technical and personal skills are important, and other questions that will help you to learn more about this emerging occupation.

Participate in a bug bounty program in which you receive a financial reward for identifying coding errors in a company’s software. For example, Ethereum, an open-source blockchain that includes a cryptocurrency, offers a bounty program. You can learn more at https://bounty.ethereum.org.

Duties for blockchain developers vary based on their job title, employer, type of project they’re assigned, and other factors. Most developers have the following responsibilities:

• Design and develop application programming interfaces for blockchain integration.
• Design blockchain protocols and their network architecture.
• Create interactive graphical user interfaces for decentralized applications (a computer application that runs on a distributed computing system).
• Break down existing blockchain code and frameworks and rebuild them.
• Test and troubleshoot blockchain systems.
• Provide feedback (technology-related, business metrics, etc.) on proposed and ongoing blockchain projects.
• Work with clients or company executives to evaluate project needs and explain to them how blockchain technology would be a good fit.
• Audit and develop smart contracts and cryptocurrencies.
• Document development artifacts and best practices.
• Provide blockchain technical support to clients or in-house employees.