RareSkills Review: Here’s What to Expect from the Web3 Bootcamp

If you’re keen on starting a tech career or are already working as a programmer, you may have already heard of Web3 but are perhaps not an expert yet. You’re not alone. Many others – even programmers and developers – are still at an early stage of studying and understanding what it is.

So, what’s it about?

In a nutshell, Web3 is a blockchain-based web that includes NFTs, cryptocurrencies, decentralized finance, and more. As a result, it is often called “the future of the Internet.” In fact, according to Harvard Business Review, Web3 promises to transform the experience of being online as dramatically as PCs and smartphones did.

While more people are steadily learning about Web3 and what it can do, its full potential still needs to be discovered. Learning blockchain development is vital for experienced programmers who want to keep in step with Web3. Even with the current downturn in the tech job market, the demand for skilled Web3 engineers is projected to grow.

How exactly do you get into the doors of Web3? Read on as we explore RareSkills, a Web3 bootcamp in the business of shaping the next generation of Web3 and blockchain developers.

What Is RareSkills Web3 Bootcamp?

RareSkills offers comprehensive Web3 blockchain engineering bootcamps that help Solidity developers level up their skills and advance their careers.

The bootcamp was founded by Jeffrey Scholz, an ex-Yahoo employee and one of the youngest Senior Engineering Managers to work in the company. After gaining extensive experience at Yahoo, Scholz left to focus on RareSkills full time.

He launched RareSkills to addresses the lack of resources for engineers to progress from junior-level to senior-level roles. Scholz shares that while RareSkills calls itself a “bootcamp”, he likens it more to an “affordable master’s degree or an engineering fellowship.”

Its core value proposition is to teach students technical subjects in blockchain because although there are a lot of resources to get familiarized with blockchain, very few teach you how to get to the cutting edge. That’s why RareSkills offers comprehensive and up-to-date information and personalized human support to help engineers learn all the information quickly. That said, RareSkills is not designed for beginner coders.

Is RareSkills Right for Me?

Scholz says your motivation for enrolling and current skillset determine whether you’re ready to take on any of RareSkills courses.

“Think carefully about your career goals and motivations. If your goal is simply to work in the blockchain space as a programmer, you might be ready to do it today without any knowledge of Solidity or Rust. On the other hand, if your goal is to develop smart contracts, it will be tough to get that job if you don’t have at least two years of regular development experience, preferably four.”

Scholz also says engineers must have solid fundamentals in coding because quality Web3 development relies on the same fundamentals that Web2 requires. And employers want to see these fundamentals.

“Don’t FOMO (fear of missing out) into blockchain or any other hype technology for that matter. FOMO is not as sustainable a motivation as having genuine curiosity. Engineers with genuine curiosity will learn faster and longer and be more competitive as job applicants.”

In addition, developers trying to make themselves marketable as smart contract developers must go beyond getting a few certificates and posting a few projects on GitHub. With many other developers doing the same, it’s hard to stand out in this field.

Instead, Scholz advises aspiring smart contract developers to study complex subjects like data structures, algorithms, cryptography, compilers, and virtual machines. The foundation of blockchain is made of these, and having a deep knowledge about them shows employers that you know what you’re doing.

If you’re wondering how you can build a solid foundation in Web3, RareSkills can help you do just that!

5 Reasons to Choose RareSkills Web3 Bootcamp

There are, admittedly, numerous Web3 bootcamps that can help you learn the basics of Web3. So, what sets RareSkills apart? The short answer: a lot.

Here’s the long one:

1. Comprehensive curriculum

While other bootcamps teach Solidity, RareSkills’ collective curriculum is far longer and more rigorous than most other programs. “It takes several months of dedicated practice and study to become truly proficient as a blockchain engineer, and the length of our courses reflects that,” says Scholz.

2. Practical learning

Developers who are just learning about blockchain must get comfortable building projects from end to end. Because of this, foundational learning, such as security and how the Ethereum runtime works, is vital.

“People get stuck at the beginner’s level because they keep watching tutorials without building. People get stuck at the intermediate level because they keep building applications but don’t understand how the framework works,” Scholz explains.

RareSkills has considered these problems when designing the blockchain bootcamp. Its Dapp Bootcamp teaches students how to build end-to-end applications, like NFT maintaining websites. Likewise, the Advanced Solidity course helps intermediate blockchain developers understand every detail of Solidity and why design patterns emerge. That said, the course does not solely focus on building applications.

3. Personalized learning

Each class has a maximum of only five students. Yes, you read that right. Admissions to RareSkills is limited to five people per class. If you don’t pass the admission process, RareSkills will provide resources to help you prepare to pass the admissions at a later date.

Because RareSkills focuses on a small group of students at a time, instructors can build close and long-term relationships with each student. RareSkills offers personalized instruction, which is very different from what self-study or a large class has to offer.

You will have access to a coach or mentor who can help speed up your learning process. Expect valuable feedback from your instructor to improve your skills and fill your knowledge gaps. Lastly, you’ll be able to build strong relationships and engage in productive and enlightening discussions with your peers.

4. Fully remote

Classes are delivered remotely. Translation: you can learn anywhere, even from the comforts of your home! That means a single cohort can be composed of students from around the world. So you get the opportunity to learn from peers with different perspectives and experiences.

5. Flexible learning

All RareSkills courses have the same format. You will attend one class per week with an instructor who can answer all your questions and clarify the upcoming assignment. Then, you will go over the study materials independently and spend the rest of the week coding the assigned task. Once you finish the assignment, you will meet with your instructor one-to-one so they can provide feedback on your work.

Start Your Web3 Career with RareSkills

At RareSkills, you can take an entry-level Dapp (Solidity) Bootcamp for eight weeks or enroll in all their bootcamps and continue learning Web3 for a year. Each program can stand on its own or be taken in a succession. Whichever you choose, RareSkills bootcamps can turn you, a blockchain engineer, into an expert.

If you want to take your coding skills to the next level and attend RareSkills, take the Solidity self-test here to see if it’s right for you.