You want to break into the Blockchain industry. How can volunteering help you get there?

Volunteering on a project that aligns with your interests not only keeps you motivated but also helps you carve a niche in the blockchain industry. It's a strategic way to gain relevant experience in your area of interest, whether it's smart contracts, dApps development, or blockchain for social impact.

Make sure the projects you contribute to are reputable, active, and aligned with your values. Research the team, the community, and the code before committing your time and effort. Examples: 1) Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, started as a volunteer for Bitcoin Magazine and learned about blockchain technology 2) Gavin Wood, co-founder of Polkadot, was a volunteer researcher and developer for Ethereum before starting his own project

When volunteering, step back and determine what you want from the opportunity. Do you want tech experience, networking exposure, business acumen development, or community engagement? Then define what success means for you for that specific goal and make sure it's attainable. Next, use the data to match opportunities. Some additional data points handy before diving in: 1. What do you need to feel secure with the team? Is it okay if they are anonymous, or do you need their LinkedIn profile? 2. How big is their community? If they're getting started, there will be plenty of volunteer opportunities, but you'll wear multiple hats. You may want a bigger, established community with needed roles. Your time is never free; give it wisely.

Volunteering isn't the time to venture into unknown waters. There are expectations on the other side, and your "unpaid" time needs to be used wisely. Look for opportunities that leverage your existing skill sets but let you stretch to new ones simultaneously. If you're a front-end developer learning web3, you can look for an opportunity to integrate a web3 wallet by API provider. It's slightly different from the Web2 Auth you're used to and an excellent opportunity to engage and show proof in new tech. If you're a marketer, apply your web2 skills and learn how to engage in web3 communities. The key here is that your current skills are of value, and leading with your value will earn trust and create new opportunities.

By offering your current skills to a volunteer project, you get a real-world platform to apply and hone them. Simultaneously, you're placed in a learning environment where you can pick up new blockchain-related skills and technologies, enhancing your marketability.

Be proactive, responsive, and clear in your communication with the team and the community. Use the right channels and tools to ask questions, report issues, or propose ideas. Examples: 1) Contribute to discussions on GitHub issues, pull requests, or forums 2) Join community calls or chats to stay updated and engaged

Volunteering opens the door to networking with professionals who share your passion for blockchain. It's an opportunity to build relationships that can lead to mentorship, advice, and insights about breaking into the industry.

Be open, inclusive, and respectful when collaborating with others. Value diversity, give credit, and help create a positive and supportive environment for all contributors. Examples: 1) Follow the project's code of conduct and contribution guidelines 2) Give constructive feedback and acknowledge others' work and ideas

The vision of blockchain is to give all rights of your data to you and provide you with trust and security by removing intermediaries and storing your data as tamper-proof. So, there is a high possibility that in the future, there will be a strong rise of blockchain in industries, normal use cases, and also in the finance category.

Your volunteer work contributes to the growth and sustainability of the blockchain ecosystem. This demonstrates your commitment to the technology’s potential and your readiness to be part of its future.

Volunteering provides tangible projects and results that you can include in your portfolio or resume. These achievements can be talking points in interviews or proof of your capabilities when applying for blockchain roles.

The blockchain field is rapidly evolving, and volunteering keeps you at the forefront of new developments and trends. It's a hands-on way to continuously learn and adapt, showing potential employers your commitment to staying current.

Keep a record of your contributions, such as commits, issues, or posts. Use them to showcase your skills, experience, and impact to potential employers or partners. Examples: 1) Use a tool like Sourcerer or Open Source Friday to track your contributions 2) Add your volunteer projects to your resume, portfolio, or LinkedIn profile

Remember, volunteering is not just about giving but also about growing. Approach each opportunity with a mindset of mutual benefit — how you can help the project and how it can help you grow. This perspective will guide you to choose volunteer opportunities that are truly stepping stones towards your career in blockchain.