Learn blockchain
The invention of blockchain has transformed finance and cybersecurity and ushered in the era of digital authentication. Learn more about what blockchain is, how to choose a learning path that works best for you, and what kinds of career options may be available in this emerging field.
What is blockchain?
Imagine a record book where every entry is locked by a specialized code so it can't be changed without permission or falsified. Everyone has access to this record book, and when new entries or "blocks" are entered, people can check to ensure each entry is correct and fair. This is blockchain.
Blockchain is a digital, decentralized ledger that records transactions across multiple systems. Everyone can access it, but its structure prevents unauthorized modifications or fraudulent entries. Each entry is a record block appended to the previous information block and uses a complex cryptographic hash (a fixed-size string of numbers) that's currently tamper-proof.
It's the foundation of cryptocurrency, smart contracts, and some digital products. It allows transactions to happen online with no physical proof, but the unbreakable hash verifies the integrity of each block in the record.
Working with blockchain opens up a variety of positions in security and contracts. As more industries begin to use it to verify products and agreements, this may translate to more job opportunities.
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Choosing the right blockchain program for you
There are multiple options for you if you want to begin training in blockchain or further your knowledge for better positions in your career. Here are some of the main ways to learn more about blockchain:
Courses
Courses can build skills in blockchain both for beginners looking to take their first steps into the field or for industry veterans looking to hone their knowledge or talents in a specific area. edX has courses that cover everything from fundamentals to explicit use cases and implications for industries.
Certifications
Certifications can help advance your career or help facilitate your pivot to a new one. These programs might include cybersecurity options that demonstrate your mastery of certain blockchain fundamentals and your eligibility to work in more sensitive roles.
Executive education programs
For those with professional experience, especially in leadership roles, executive education programs can introduce important concepts in blockchain and their implications for industries. These programs are particularly suitable if you want to have important conversations with your own organization and its shareholders or build new capabilities in your workplace.
Degrees
A full degree program in something like computer science or cybersecurity can provide you with a thorough education in cutting-edge principles like blockchain. A bachelor's degree provides the foundation for many jobs in the technology field, and an advanced degree can open more high-paying positions in leadership roles.
Jobs in blockchain
Blockchain careers are thriving in industries like finance, supply chain management, and even healthcare. There's a growing demand for skilled professionals as more industries look to blockchain to improve security and records.
Here are a few positions that having experience with blockchain may help you qualify for, with each role's required education as well as salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):
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