There’s no shortage of people trying to break into blockchain development, but only a few stick around. Why? Because many make the same early mistakes that hold them back.
Breaking into blockchain development isn’t just about learning Solidity or deploying smart contracts. Many developers dive in headfirst, only to hit roadblocks that push them out just as fast.
Mark Hugh Neri, CTO of The BLOKC and co-founder of Selyo, has seen firsthand why many aspiring developers struggle to establish themselves in the industry. According to him, two major mistakes trip up beginners—and they have little to do with blockchain itself.
Mistake #1: Lacking a Strong Foundation in Programming and Web Development
Blockchain development isn’t an isolated skill. It builds on fundamental programming and web development knowledge. Many new developers jump into smart contracts without a solid understanding of basic programming concepts, which makes troubleshooting and optimization much harder.
“First is not having a good foundation knowledge—say programming and web development since most Web3/Blockchain projects are built on top of Web.”
Developers who rush into blockchain without first building strong problem-solving skills in general programming may struggle to integrate their work into real-world applications. Those who take the time to strengthen their coding fundamentals before learning blockchain development may find the transition smoother and more manageable.
Mistake #2: Giving Up Too Soon
Blockchain development isn’t easy, and many new developers underestimate the learning curve. Once they face complex debugging issues, high gas fees, or cryptographic errors, they quickly get discouraged.
“Most starters do not seem to pursue when they encounter struggles.”
This struggle is common in any specialized tech field, but in blockchain, where security and decentralization add extra layers of complexity, persistence is key. The difference between those who succeed and those who drop out is the willingness to push through setbacks.
New developers should lean on resources like open-source projects, online communities, and blockchain bootcamps. Learning blockchain in isolation makes it easier to burn out, but engaging with experienced developers can make all the difference.
Mistakes to Avoid
For developers serious about blockchain, avoiding these two pitfalls comes down to preparation and persistence.
- Master web development basics first before diving into blockchain, what Neri calls "good foundation knowledge."
- Start with Solidity for the broadest career opportunities, but explore Move for emerging blockchains, which Neri regards as the "safest bet."
- Expect challenges when debugging and troubleshooting because are part of the learning process and continue to pursue despite encountering struggles.
Mark Hugh Neri emphasizes that while blockchain development can be challenging, those who commit to learning the fundamentals and pushing through difficulties will have the best chance of thriving in the field.
His advice highlights that success is not just about technical skills but also about resilience and continuous learning, qualities that should define the next generation of blockchain developers.
