Two of last year's biggest business stories were the 'Great Resignation' - which refers to US employees voluntarily resigning from their jobs - and cryptocurrencies' surge to become a multitrillion-dollar market.
In 2022, those two themes could collide in the form of a notable "brain drain" from finance and tech into crypto and Web3, according to Messari Crypto's Mason Nystrom.
"Young people working in traditional finance are moving because they see an opportunity to climb a shorter ladder," Nystrom told Insider in a recent interview. "They're taking that risk right now because they feel that the crypto space is robust enough for them to take a leap of faith."
Messari is a prominent crypto research firm that provides the industry with data and intel. Nystrom, a senior research analyst, covers NFTs and the intersection between crypto assets and Web3, which he defined as an evolution of the internet that will "replace existing networks with user-owned services."
Nystrom's most recent blog post for Messari provides actionable advice for starting a career in crypto, whether you're a complete newcomer to the space or a confident crypto-native.
"It's going to be the most intellectually stimulating field of the next decade," he told Insider. "Crypto is really an intersection of technology, finance, and culture. That's why we've seen such a brain-drain from existing companies - it's an opportunity to build the future."
Insider asked Nystrom for his advice on how crypto rookies can immediately boost their CV to impress hiring managers at top firms like Galaxy Digital and Grayscale. Here are his top five tips:
1. Write (and tweet)
Messari produces a daily newsletter called 'Unqualified Opinions', and its analysts are encouraged to write as often as possible. Nystrom told Insider that regularly blogging about crypto demonstrates an applicant's passion for and knowledge of the field.
"I'm a massive proponent of writing - and we have seen lots of existing analysts who've built a following that way move into roles at a crypto venture or hedge funds," he said. "I would really recommend setting up a Substack because you can immediately start building up an email list that'll always be incredibly valuable."
Twitter also plays a crucial role in the crypto space, according to Nystrom. He said that applicants that want to stand out should develop lists and Twitter spaces, use the platform to reach out to analysts, and build a following by posting crypto memes.
"So much of our industry coalesces around Twitter," he told Insider. "You can really build your brand there, and that can act as a major catalyst for your career."
2. Develop coding skills
Writing regularly and actively building a social media presence can be a daunting prospect. Nystrom said that coding is another way to crack the crypto job market - and advised getting started as soon as possible.
"If you're 20, and you've got your whole life ahead of you, you should really try to pick up some programming skills," he said. "Programming is such a valuable skill, it helps you to work with blockchain data and to discover new technologies before other people do."
Nystrom told Insider that Python and SQL are the best coding languages for those looking to break into crypto. He also recommended the Dune Analytics website as a space to learn more about how to apply coding and programming skills to crypto.
3. Apply for internships
After you've demonstrated a passion for crypto and developed some basic coding skills, it's a good idea to add some short-term crypto work experience to your CV, according to Nystrom.
"Crypto's big enough now that there are actual internship positions available at larger firms for people who are still at university," he told Insider.
To identify potential target firms for speculative work experience applications, Nystrom recommended reaching out to venture capital firms like a16z and Digital Currency Group and asking if it would be possible to spend some time at any of their portfolio companies.
"VC firms are willing to create internships for candidates that they think are knowledgeable and can provide value," he said. "Networking is still such a great way to find a job, and younger people should take advantage of that."
4. Read job boards
Rather than looking at traditional job sites like LinkedIn, Nystrom recommended using AngelList, CryptoJobs, and Proof of Talent to find crypto-specific opportunities.
"LinkedIn will never go away, there'll always be great opportunities to be found there," he told Insider. "But there are stronger avenues to help you break into crypto."
"When I was first applying for jobs, I'd always look at AngelList," Nystrom added. "It's start-up specific, but so many crypto companies still think of themselves as start-ups."
The crypto industry has faced criticism over its questionable diversity track record. Nystrom praised the work of she256 and the Komorebi Collective, which aim to create more routes into crypto for women and people of color.
"Crypto is incredibly male and incredibly white at the moment, and that needs to change," he said. "Those initiatives are fantastic because they're helping to bring exceptional people from under-represented communities into the space."
5. Move to a 'crypto city'
Lastly, Nystrom emphasized the importance of networking. While crypto companies do tend to be remote-first, he said that there is no substitute for meeting fellow crypto enthusiasts at in-person events.
To do that, he recommended moving to a city with a strong crypto community, such as New York, San Francisco, Austin, or Miami. London, Berlin, Switzerland's 'Crypto Valley', Tel-Aviv, Singapore, Dubai, and Cape Town are all building strong reputations as "crypto cities" outside of the US.
"The tech capitals - New York and San Francisco - are the epicenters for crypto in the US," Nystrom told Insider. "But you also have other emerging cities, like Austin and Miami, and those cities' crypto communities will start to grow even more now that work can be remote."
"Once you move, find individuals in that area, reach out to them and ask them to grab a coffee," he added. "Even though it tends to be something that people are shy about at the start of their careers, I think networking is always the best way to find a job and more people should take advantage of that."