Is it worth getting certified in blockchain technology? Should you consider getting one even if you're not in the tech industry?

Blockchain will be one of the most sought-after skills in the years to come. The demand for blockchain developers will increase as more companies want to implement it in their business.

Many doubt the potential of blockchain after a crypto market crash. But Blockchain is a technology that is implemented on regulating cryptocurrencies and this tech can be implemented in many other areas other than cryptocurrencies. Blockchain has the potential to add around $1.76 trillion to the global economy by 2030 and around 40 million jobs worldwide.

Because it is one of the most rewarding careers with good job opportunities, many would want to consider doing a blockchain certification course. Blockchain certification verifies that you have the required skills to work on the technology.

If you are thinking about whether a blockchain certification may be worth it?

A certification verifies that you possess the skills to work on the technology. If you have the hand's on experience with blockchain apart from the theory at the end of the certification, then yes, such a certification will be worth it.

Here we will cover all points on, are blockchain certifications worth it, and should you consider getting one.

Should you consider a certification in Blockchain?

Most people jump into blockchain as a career because of the high pay, which is not the right approach.

Something to keep in mind before you consider getting a blockchain certification are:

Before you enroll in a paid blockchain certification program:

You may want to spend some time learning about the fundamentals of the technology from free resources. Since it will take some time to gain blockchain skills, one's interest in the topic becomes crucial for consistency.

However, it is recommended that everyone should consider learning about its fundamentals irrespective of their interest in it because the changes blockchain will bring are inevitable.

How will a certification in Blockchain help you?

A linked survey stated that blockchain has emerged as the top-demand skill in 2020. Blockchain is not only used in the field of cryptocurrencies but has a wide variety of use cases in many industries. The technology is new and is still to put in implementation in many domains. Here are some reasons, why certification will help you:

10 reasons why you should consider a blockchain certification.

1)It Will give you a good start.

A certification program will help you with a structured path. As a beginner, it can seem challenging to know what you need to learn. A certification program will not only provide you with a structured learning path but also provide you with the resources you need.

2)Resources to Practice.

Many programs provide you with quizzes, assignments, and projects for practice.

3)Internships, Interview preparation, and resume building.

Some certification programs not only provide you with certificates but also get you job-ready by providing you interview preparation kit, resume-building tips, and internships.

4)Get your hands on projects.

You can get hands-on experience with blockchain building real-world projects and test what you learned by implementing it.

5)It Will give you an edge over others.

Blockchain is new in the market, and the material on the internet might not be enough to get a job as a blockchain developer, and also not very structured. A formal certification will help get an edge over others, in a way that you have implemented what you have learned.

6)Exposure to industry experts.

Many programs are taught by experts who have been in the blockchain industry for quite some time.

7)Amazing salaries.

Having a blockchain certification can help you get a job. Blockchain developer salaries are skyrocketing in the 21st century. The average blockchain developer's salary is around $175,000.

8)Job opportunities.

The job market for blockchain is growing rapidly. On Glassdoor the growth of blockchain jobs was around 300% in 2021 worldwide.

9)Exposure to the latest tech

A certification in blockchain shows you have better exposure to the latest tech than others.

10)Give access to a community

Some blockchain certifications give you access to a community. The community may consist of blockchain learners, industry leaders, and monthly industry updates.

A career in Blockchain with a certification program

• A blockchain certification(free or paid) will help you get your fundaments clear. Although most blockchain certifications do not guarantee a job in the space, they still can deliver promising evidence of knowledge. The employer can trust a certified candidate with a clear understanding of the foundations.
• It will open you up for more opportunities and get you future-ready. The top blockchain certificate can guarantee the employer of your abilities to implement the technology, and that you're familiar with the system and technology.
• Blockchain is a technology of the future. Having a certification will set you apart from the competition.
• According to Coinbase, 42% of the world's top universities offer at least one course on blockchain or crypto. The world is slowly moving towards effective implementations of blockchain.

Blockchain career for everyone:

When we hear of blockchain, we may only think of coders or developers, but there is a lot of space in blockchain for non-techies.

Blockchain careers not only include tech geeks and programmers. It also includes product managers, marketers, sales executives, designers, etc.

Students from a range of majors are interested in learning about blockchain(Coinbase).

There are many non-tech jobs in blockchain as well.

Some of them include:

• Blockchain product managers (avg salary: $93k-$116k/year)
• Operations Manager(avg salary: $91k-$118k/year)
• Risk Analyst(avg salary: $52k-$70k/year)
• Digital communication specialist(avg salary: $49k-$56k/year)
• Content writing(avg salary: $44k-$53k/year)
• Consultant(avg salary: $43k-$72k/year)
• Customer support executive(avg salary:$41k-$84k/year)

(source)

There are many more. These job roles already exist. Having certification or knowledge in crypto and blockchain will allow you to get into these jobs in the blockchain/crypto industries.

Conclusion: Should you consider getting a blockchain certification?

Yes, even if you aren't considering taking up blockchain as a career, a free certification will allow you to explore the technology. You will have a broad overview of how future technologies look. Further, if it is in your interest, you can decide to take it as a career.

Should you go for a paid or free blockchain certification?

It is not always the case that paid courses are better than free courses. Also, there are cases where free resources do provide great value. But Because blockchain is new in the market when compared to other technologies, you may not find as much good quality free content on it.

• If you are unsure of making a career in blockchain and, just want to explore it, a free certification course is best. It will give you an overview, without getting into too many details.

There are only a few free blockchain certification programs. Below are some of them.

1. Blockchain Basics(Great Learning - free certification )
2. Blockchain Developer - Learn the Basics of Blockchain. Simplilearn(Free certification)
3. Bitcoin Development - Gain skills in building applications with bitcoin. BSV academy(Free certification)

Free blockchain courses (no free certification)

1. Ethereum Development Course — Blockchain at Berkeley, Udemy
2. Blockchain Technology by edX
3. Introduction to Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain (Udemy)
4. Blockchain Theory 101 (Udemy)
5. Enterprise Blockchains Fundamentals - Free Course (101blockchains)
6. Blockchain Basics by Coursera
7. Introduction to Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain (Udemy)

• If you want to make a career in blockchain and want to get a job, you might want to consider going for a paid certification. In a paid program you will get an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals, and the different use cases and implementation.

Some of them include:

• Professional Certificate in Blockchain Fundamentals
• Certified Enterprise Blockchain Professional (CEBP)
• Solidity, Ethereum, and Blockchain: The Complete Developer's Guide, Zero To Mastery(ZTM)
• Blockchain Certification Training Course(intellipaat)
• Blockchain Specialization(Coursera)
• Ethereum and Solidity: The Complete Developer's Guide(Udemy)
• Become a Blockchain Developer (educative)
• Blockchain A-Z™: Learn How To Build Your First Blockchain (Udemy)

Considerations when selecting a blockchain certification program:

• Learn from someone who has worked in the blockchain industry.
• Let there be projects along with theory.
• Good Reviews by learners.