Salaries for security engineers, product managers, and data analysts in the blockchain sector can reach tens of thousands of USD per month, significantly higher than similar positions in traditional industries. This presents unprecedented career opportunities but also imposes high demands on students to enhance their knowledge and skills to meet market needs.
On October 18, 2024, the 15th ABAII Unitour program took place at the International University – Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, with the theme “Applications of Blockchain and AI in Engineering: From Learning Assistants to New Job Opportunities,” attended by nearly 300 students. The Academy of Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (Abbreviated ABAII) and the Vietnam Blockchain Association (VBA) organized the event to promote blockchain and AI while opening up new career opportunities for students in the digital age.
Dr. Nguyễn Ngọc Trường Minh from the International University welcomed the students to the event, sharing sincere insights about the attractive career opportunities in the Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI) sectors. He highlighted how these fields can completely transform the careers of young professionals in engineering, not only through competitive salaries but also by providing opportunities to grasp and lead global technology trends.
In addition to the perspectives shared by the leadership of the International University, Mr. Lê Anh Quốc, Business Development Director at AlphaTrue JSC, cited the latest report from Microsoft in May 2024, which indicates that 66% of leaders stated they would not hire employees lacking AI skills. For employees, AI enhances workforce capabilities but also breaks down many common barriers in their careers, increasing job opportunities and income.
“In other words, AI is not just an opportunity; it is becoming a mandatory requirement for most young workers,” emphasized Mr. Le Anh Quoc.
In Blockchain, career opportunities for students are even more attractive and pronounced, with the average recruitment salary in this industry being 3-5 times higher than similar positions in traditional industries.
Mr. Hoàng Minh Thiện, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Blockchain Training and Startup Center, cited some “hot” jobs such as Security Engineer, which can earn up to 18,000 USD/month when working for international companies. In contrast, the same position in traditional fields typically offers an income of around 2,500 – 6,000 USD/month. Similarly, other roles such as data analysts and programmers also see significantly higher earnings in the blockchain sector than in traditional industries.
Decoding the high salaries in Blockchain and emerging technologies like AI, Mr. Hoàng Minh Thiện mentioned four main factors: (1) High barriers to entry due to the complexity and novelty of the field; (2) The current supply of labor is far lower than the demand; (3) Revenues and profits from projects in this sector often exceed those in traditional industries, and (4) There is a significant trend of investment in these two technology sectors.
“However, the high income in the Blockchain and AI sectors also means competition will become increasingly fierce. Students need to quickly seize this opportunity at an early stage. If they miss out or fall behind by 3-5 years, it will be difficult to find similar opportunities when the supply becomes saturated,” Mr. Thiện shared.
To achieve this, students need to proactively study and acquire knowledge and skills relevant to their chosen careers through various forms and methods of learning, such as in-person classes, online courses on platforms like YouTube, or MasterTeck—an online learning platform for Blockchain and AI developed by the ABAII Academy. MasterTeck offers over 300 specialized courses in Blockchain and AI, applicable to 24 attractive high-income careers. Students at MasterTeck also have the opportunity to receive certifications from prestigious international organizations such as CompTIA, EC-Council, PECB, and ABAII Academy, available in both traditional printed form and as NFT certificates that connect directly to their LinkedIn accounts to enhance global connectivity, Mr. Le Anh Quoc emphasized.
Contributing to the overall picture of Blockchain, Mr. Vũ Ngọc Quyết, Founder and CEO of LocaMos Technology JSC, shared insights on the practical and relatable applications of this technology. He highlighted its use in customer management, promotions, and enhancing interaction and customer experience in the food service and tourism industries, serving as a fast, secure payment channel with optimized costs.
Mr. Vũ Ngọc Quyết also took the time to allow students to experience several Blockchain applications to enhance interaction among members/users, helping students easily visualize how Blockchain can be applied in specific fields.
As part of the program, a discussion session on “The Changing Job Market in Engineering in the Era of Blockchain and AI” was held, featuring the participation of Mr. Nguyễn Đức Long (Director of Digital Transformation at the ABAII Academy), MSc. Lê Ngọc Anh Khoa (Lecturer at the Faculty of Finance and Accounting, International University), Mr. Võ Thanh Thiên Toán (Technology Expert at VBA), Mr. Hoàng Hải (Operations Director at HoldStation), and Mr. Hoàng Minh Thiện (Deputy Director of BST, Co-founder of the K300 Startup Fund).
As an initiative of the Academy of Blockchain and AI Innovation and the Vietnam Blockchain Association, from March to October 2024, ABAII Unitour organized 15 programs to promote Blockchain and AI at 15 universities across the country, covering a variety of topics based on the actual needs of each institution. By 2025, ABAII Unitour is expected to organize 30 programs, reaching at least 100,000 students to share insights about technology and new career opportunities for students in the digital age.