The Metaverse might be the next big thing – but it still needs work to make Mark Zuckerberg’s vision, say, a reality. We’ve listed ten jobs that the Metaverse will likely be in demand for years to come.
The metaverse is on everyone’s lips, provides for corporate brainstorming meetings and above all for one thing: impotence. Not only are many still unclear about what the Metaverse will actually be like, but how companies can use the “new big thing” for themselves is a question for many. As a result, as we examine the evolution of the Metaverse, it becomes equally important to talk about the people who will build, shape, and support it. For the .cult blog, Adrien Book predicts ten metaverse jobs that will probably exist by 2030. Below is an overview:
1. Metaverse Research Scientist
The research scientist will initially be responsible for clarifying how the real world can be represented in the metaverse, i.e. meeting places, shopping opportunities, etc. But since this rudimentary version of the metaverse already exists in its basic form, the work of the Metaverse Research Scientist will be much more important in the future. What are the undiscovered potentials? Use cases no one has thought of yet? Adrian Book explains the role as follows:
Metaverse seekers will have to build something akin to the theory of everything, where the entire world is digitally visible and actionable (think Ready Player One without the fun). This architecture will be the foundation upon which all other use cases will be built; games, advertisements, quality control in factories, connected health, DeFi… the list goes on,
How to Become a Metaverse Research Scientist: According to Book, those interested should have a Ph.D. in deep learning, computer vision, computer graphics or computational imagery. Knowledge of C++ is also an asset.
2. Metaverse Planner
As soon as the Metaverse is stable and functional, it will need smart people to implement ideas in virtual rum. This means that while the CEOs or idea generators of this world are developing plans for their business, there must be metaverse planners who know how these can take shape.
How to become a Metaverse Planner: Management skills, knowledge of HW/SW/SaaS/PaaS marketing and business model creation as well as enthusiasm and an “entrepreneurial spirit” should be a good foundation.
3. Ecosystem Developers
Although some companies would like it to be, the metaverse will not be made up of words. It takes more sensors, CPUs, GPUs, KYC processes, data lakes, laws, rules, etc. to build the necessary structures. Adrien Book explains it this way:
We can compare this difficulty to that currently encountered by the automotive industry in transition to electric vehicles. The products are there, but the biggest barrier to adoption is the lack of widespread charging stations along streets and highways and ever-changing battery capacities. Similarly, we could have the software and hardware to have a Metaverse, and still miss…everything else.
Ecosystem developers would have the task of coordinating the different parties. In particular, communication with the government and driving investments in the metaverse would be their responsibility.
How to become an ecosystem developer: A prerequisite for this job is an understanding of the XR industry and experience in government work.
4. Metaverse Security Manager
Every platform where users interact with each other faces the great challenge of making the environment safe for all parties. Moderation of content and comments is essential. In the Metaverse, security will be even harder to enforce. In early variants of a metaverse, early users report being molested. As with the internet, security will remain a constant concern in the metaverse. Books explains:
It will not be an easy task. They will need to accurately predict how Metaverse functionality will be used and could be misused, and identify safety-critical components, systems, and manufacturing steps associated with those predictions.
How to become a Metaverse Safety Manager: An engineering degree and experience in consumer electronics can help when changing jobs to become a Metaverse security officer.
5. Metaverse Hardware Builder
The sensors mentioned in point three, but also other hardware such as cameras or helmets, must all be manufactured. This material will be more complex than what we have known so far. After all, the virtual experience should be as real as possible. People working as Metaverse hardware builders will be responsible for making these increasingly complex gadgets.
How to become a sensor manufacturer: We need a factory where we can manufacture the sensors – if possible cheaper than the automotive industry, which is currently ahead in this area.
6. Metaverse Storytellers
One of the most interesting potential jobs for users in the metaverse is that of storyteller. The duties of the position will not only consist of inventing scenarios for the worlds of the metaverse, for example, storytellers will also be responsible for integrating marketing opportunities.
How to Become a Metaverse Storyteller: A degree in literature with a minor in marketing and a start in the gaming industry can be a good place to start.
7. World Builder
However, imagined stories must be implemented in worlds. And they must first be built. World Builder will be responsible for this. The job will require skills similar to those required by video game designers. It’s less about the actual technical implementation and more about the imagination creating new worlds. Ethical limits must also be respected. Book raises the question of whether murder, for example, should be allowed in a digital world that feels real.
How to become a world builder: Above all, you need the necessary imagination. A degree in graphic design can help.
8. Ad Blocking Expert:in
Both Facebook and Instagram make their money from ads. The conclusion is therefore obvious that in Meta’s latest project, the Metaverse, revenue should also be generated by advertisements. Ads that are precisely tailored to each user and can be placed almost anywhere in the digital environment are likely to be perceived as annoying by users. The demand for ad blocking experts will increase over time. They need to manage how ads can be recognized and blocked in the new ad blocker environment.
How to become an ad blocking expert: Programming skills and access to metaverse source code pave the way for this career field.
9. Metaverse Cybersecurity
While many internet users have yet to learn how to use secure passwords and care about the topic of cybersecurity to a minimum, it is important in the metaverse that there are experts protecting users, businesses and systems from the start.
[…] it’s only a matter of time before virtual violations become real court cases.
How to become Metaverse Cyber Security: Prior knowledge/career in the field of cybersecurity and/or legal knowledge in the field of technology.
10. Unpaid Interns
Book points out that this is not an actual job title from the metaverse. After all, unpaid interns already exist in every industry. But they will likely also be instrumental in building Metaverse. Therefore, according to Book, they deserve a place in his ranking as much as they deserve fair pay.