Builder Buddies #3

Hello talented one,

As we end the year of crypto turmoil, a lot of us are preparing a 2023 focused on building. 2022 was the year that proved we are still in a very early market and space that volatility continues to be a very defining word across web3.

Contrary to what happened around this time last year, web3 projects now face a market shaped by resilience and the challenges upon them are completely new: exponential growth and speculation were now traded for trust, sustainable growth and product-market fit. Companies in this bear market are increasingly focused on creating robust products and services and are working on their utility and perceived value. So yes, things are not on hold in the world of web3.

Even in the work front, things are moving. Talent is still very much sought after and contribution is still - if not even more - valued by those who are trying to build the internet of the future. So, let's buidl. 💪

In today's edition, we've invited Noah Edelman - who, as a matter of fact, is the author of a very valuable newsletter about the ups and downs of the crypto space - to tell us a bit more about his web3 journey. Let's jump right into it.

One Story

Noah Edelman, WTF Crypto, Chicago/New York City

Builder Buddies (BB): How would you define the current point of your career life cycle?

Noah Edelman (NE): I'm currently tinkering with side projects, learning from mentors, and honing internet skills before I graduate college.

BB: What were your main struggles while entering web3?

NE: Understanding fundamental concepts about blockchains.

BB: What's your biggest professional accomplishment?

NE: Running the content engine for a startup that was then acquired (Authentic Media Ascension).

BB: What was your biggest web3 mistake?

NE: Ignoring the potential downfalls of web3 features for its potential upside.

BB: What investment (of time, energy or money) brought you the most return?

NE: Creating and publishing content online even if no one was reading it! It created a backlog of permissionless work that got me opportunities elsewhere.

2 Tips

🌐Work is global and asynchronous

While preparing to work in web3, keep in mind that things are very different from the traditional 9-5 corporate work experience. You'll have the chance to work with people from all parts of the globe and you most probably will have to do it asynchronously.

There are 3 things you can do to make sure this adaptation goes as smoothly as possible:

1. Lead yourself: it's really up to you to take the lead and learn, start and complete tasks, ask questions and follow up with what everyone in the team is working on.

2. Trust others: trust that you'll find this sense of ownership and responsibility alive in your team members in most of all thriving web3 projects.

3. Use the tools: tools - whatever they are - will help you assure that you get things done. Use them as much as possible.

👓Decentralize your job search

Web3 is revolutionizing not only the way we work but also the way we find work. Recruitment agencies can still be relevant but keep in mind that there are opportunities in Telegram channels, Discord servers, Notion pages, IRL events and much more.

The key is to look - and ask - everywhere.

3 Opportunities

1. Sr. Software Engineer, Filecoin Virtual Machine - Protocol Labs - See More

2. Product Manager - Talent Protocol - See More

3. Finance Manager - Exclusible - See More

Are you a web3 builder or do you know one that would like to share their web3 story? We are working on the next numbers of the Builder Buddies and we would love to feature you in one of them! Reach out at [email protected] for more details.