The New Internet: How Web3 is changing Careers

Just like a real life living being, the internet continues to change and develop at a rapid pace. Web3 represents a more advanced, immersive world wide web, and with it comes near endless new career opportunities.

Recent years have seen ‘Web3’ develop into a blanket term for a number of new, emerging technologies including cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, the metaverse (virtual reality), smart contracts, NFTs, and blockchain technology in general. This latest evolutionary stage of the internet is all about decentralization and placing ownership solely in the hands of users, but it can also help many take back control over their careers. 

Web3 technologies, cryptocurrencies for example, exploded in popularity (and price) over the past decade and quite literally disrupted the entire financial economy. The incredible NFT bull run of 2021 is another instance of Web3’s persuasive influence on modern culture and spending habits. While it’s still very much up for debate if all of these concepts will stand the test of time, it’s hard to argue with a straight face that Web3 as a whole is nothing more than a fad.

The blockchain technology underlying assets like cryptocurrencies and NFTs is already in use by countless major companies and organizations to help keep the world economy running smoothly. That’s right, whether you realize it or not, Web3 is likely already facilitating the food you eat and the goods you buy.

Global supply chains are incredibly complex, and a single error or backlog can spell disaster for massive shipments of products ranging from fruits and vegetables to electronics. Blockchains help supply chain partners avoid such issues by creating more transparent, immutable records that can’t be changed upon creation. Meanwhile, smart contracts, or self-executing contracts built directly into the blockchain, represent another way to ensure transactions occur automatically in a timely manner.

Indeed, there are very few industries, careers, or even jobs that Web3 won’t influence in the years to come, if it hasn’t already. That means Web3 is a game changer for job seekers in two ways. Besides creating entirely new fields of work and careers like blockchain developers, metaverse developers, and blockchain data engineers, the next stage of the internet is also revolutionizing plenty of pre-existing positions. 

Progress in pre-existing fields

Instead of asking which careers won’t benefit from the blockchain, it’s probably easier to ponder which won’t. From healthcare and banking to fast food and fashion, it’s tough to find a major industry nowadays that isn’t at least experimenting with Web3. 

Walmart has been using blockchain technologies in its supply chains for years, and recently entered the NFT space as well. Business behemoth Amazon, meanwhile, already offers its own blockchain services. The number one burger restaurant in the world, McDonald’s, even filed trademark applications in 2022 hinting at the development of digital restaurants. Big Macs in the metaverse, anyone?

Web3 is far from perfect, and just like any other emerging phenomenon it has more than its fair share of grifters, but there’s a valid reason many of these new technologies have become ubiquitous so quickly: They work, plain and simple, and exhibit an almost-chameleon-like ability to adapt to any industry or need. For instance, smart contracts are equally as advantageous and time-saving for banks as they are for hospitals.

All of the ways in which Web3 may revolutionize work remain to be seen. In recent months scientists have proposed the use of blockchain technology to help combat misinformation in the media, while other researchers posit blockchains can help tailor advertising experiences and block fraudsters.

Even the climate conscious may want to consider jumping on the Web3 bandwagon. Published findings from Cornell University just a few months ago suggest that if the general public really do embrace the metaverse in the years and decades to come, it could benefit the environment by lowering global surface temperatures.

Walking a new career path with Web3

While it’s clear that the impact of Web3 is already being felt across tons of industries and jobs, the advent of the “new internet” has also brought with it a number of entirely new careers and positions for job seekers to consider.

It’s incredibly common nowadays for people in the middle of their professional journeys to feel “trapped” in their careers. Many feel as though it’s “too late” to enter a new field and start learning new skills, but Web3 may just represent the perfect opportunity for a career reset. 

Maybe you want to get more involved with blockchain technologies by working as either a blockchain architect or a smart contract developer. Similarly, there is demand right now for both metaverse and NFT developers. While there will be a learning curve with positions like these, those willing to be taught have the opportunity right now to dive headfirst into exciting and promising new fields.

Of course, the technical side of the new internet isn’t going to be for everyone. The good news is that growing Web3 companies are also looking to fill more traditional roles like community managers, content writers, social media managers, and graphic designers.
Looking to get involved with Web3 before there’s a Web4? At Ladders we’re all about connecting qualified candidates with great high-paying jobs. Check out our job filter to find your next Web3 career opportunity.