The Transformation Journey of Web3 Developers: From Confusion to Rebuilding Life

In the recently concluded "Solidity Development on Polkadot" course, 219 developers from various backgrounds participated in the learning. Among them, 21% were Web3 developers, 25% were students, and 36% were transitioners from the traditional Web2 industry. Let’s take a look at the stories of three outstanding students and how they transitioned from confusion to finding direction, moving from tradition to innovation.

Alan: From Java Involution to Blockchain Graduate Studies

As a student majoring in software engineering, Alan had grown tired of the competition in Java development. However, after being exposed to Web3 and blockchain technology, he found his motivation to learn again.

"During my undergraduate studies, I systematically learned Java development, but as I gained a better understanding of the Web2 industry, I found that domestic JavaWeb development has already fallen into a state of competition. Apart from a few outstanding talents, most developers are facing the dilemma of narrowing technological innovation space. This 'sense of stagnation' made me start to rethink my development direction." Alan said.

Under the teacher's recommendation, Alan was introduced to Web3 and blockchain technology. The decentralized innovation model and underlying technological logic immediately attracted him. He decisively applied for a graduate program in blockchain, hoping to apply theoretical knowledge to practice.

In this course's hackathon competition, Alan won first place with his creative proposal for "DAO Proposal Optimization." He stated that his previous experience participating in Airdrop studios and trying various Web3 projects made him realize that experiencing products is an important way to gain inspiration. "Every niche has unresolved pain points, and the core of a hackathon is to use technology to solve real needs."

For students who are new to blockchain, Alan has provided three suggestions:

1. Meet friends who love this field, learn and explore together, and broaden your horizons.
2. Experience different tracks, the development space of Web3 is vast, there is always a direction that suits you.
3. Participating more in community activities can help you meet friends, learn about cutting-edge technologies, and even receive material rewards.

Wealth: From Accounting Major to Web3 Freelance Developer

A wealthy individual without a formal background originally studied accounting but unexpectedly embarked on the path of Web3 development. An experience at a remote hackathon made him decide to stay in the countryside and become an independent developer, living an ideal life of playing with cats, drinking coffee, and chasing squirrels.

The entry of wealth into the Web3 space stemmed from a chance encounter. He used to work part-time for an overseas gaming company, which paid him in game coins. To facilitate exchanges, he developed a market-making robot, thus beginning his journey into cryptocurrency.

"On a trip to a certain village, I remotely participated in a Web3 hackathon and created a privacy-focused ledger project called Tally, which won an award. At that time, I thought, why not just stay in the village and become a remote developer?" Fugui said, "So I said goodbye to the 996 lifestyle and gradually started taking on remote projects in Web2 and Web3, but leaning more towards Web3."

As an independent developer, Fugui mainly works on data visualization and the development of BERT models for AI projects. He believes that Web3 is more friendly to small and medium-sized developers, with timely checkout and many application scenarios yet to be developed.

For those who want to become independent developers in Web3, Fu Gui said: "There are no special requirements, just do it if you want! With AI empowerment, even those with zero foundation can get started. From a long-term perspective, it's advisable to anchor a goal, plan a product roadmap and business scope, and accumulate step by step. As a freelance developer, it's not just about cultivating technical skills, but also learning to understand this world, communicate with this world, and ultimately change this world."

John: The Journey of a Senior Java Engineer's Transition to Web3

John, who has many years of Java development experience, previously worked mainly in the e-commerce, internet finance, and third-party payment sectors. Despite a busy primary job, he still chooses to persist in learning Web3 technology in his spare time.

"The real opportunity that made me pay attention to Web3 was when I accidentally discovered the cryptographic principles behind Bitcoin and Ethereum while researching technology blogs. I was deeply shocked by that paradigm of building trust and decentralized collaboration through code." John said, "Especially for those working on payment systems, seeing a technology that can achieve value transfer without relying on centralized institutions feels very disruptive."

John adopts a "work while self-learning" model, using his spare time to systematically study Web3. He believes that for Web2 developers with a programming background, the transition to learning can be divided into two stages:

1. A basic introductory period of 3-6 months to master the core principles of blockchain, Solidity language, and development tools.
2. Continuous in-depth practice period. Continuously follow cutting-edge projects to deepen understanding in practice.

John stated that a solid Web2 technical background greatly shortened his learning curve: "Although Solidity is a new language, the fundamentals remain the same. Best practices in software engineering such as object-oriented programming concepts, data structures, and design patterns are equally important in Web3 development."

For beginners who want to transition from traditional development to Web3, John suggests a two-step strategy of "theory first, practice follows."

1. Build a solid foundation of knowledge by establishing a correct understanding of key areas such as cryptography, consensus mechanisms, and economic models.
2. Hone skills through high-quality practical courses, transforming theoretical knowledge into development capabilities.

"It is crucial to maintain patience and curiosity. Actively engage with the community, hands-on work on small projects, and deploying a complete DApp from scratch, the gains from this process will be irreplaceable." said John.

The world of Web3 is inclusive enough: whether you are a student tired of the rat race, an interdisciplinary explorer, or a traditional developer seeking breakthroughs, there is an opportunity for you here. Through continuous learning and practice, everyone can find their place in this field full of possibilities.