Are you a veteran returning to civilian life or a member of a veteran’s family aiming to avail yourself of entitlements and benefits? This article is designed to help you navigate your options for taking advantage of these services to enter a professional skills training program and learn the data skills you’ve always wanted to learn. 

Veterans might want to learn data skills to leverage their analytical and strategic abilities in a civilian career, making them highly competitive in the job market. Additionally, data skills can open doors to high-demand, well-paying roles in various industries, offering veterans a smooth transition into fulfilling, impactful careers.

What Is Data?

Data refers to raw facts, figures, and information collected from various sources, which can be processed and analyzed to gain insights and make informed decisions. It can come in various forms, including numbers, text, images, etc. It can be structured (organized in a specific format like databases) or unstructured (lacking a predefined format, such as text files or social media posts). Data is fundamental to research, business intelligence, and technological innovation, serving as the foundation for analysis, reporting, and predictive modeling.

What Can You Do with Data Skills?

With data skills, you can transform raw data into meaningful insights that drive informed decision-making in various professional fields. For instance, in business, data analysts and business intelligence professionals use data to understand market trends, optimize operations, and develop strategic plans. Data scientists build predictive models and advanced algorithms to solve complex problems, improve customer experiences, and innovate products and services. Data engineers design and maintain the infrastructure for collecting, storing, and processing large datasets, ensuring that data flows efficiently across systems and is readily accessible for analysis.

Beyond professional applications, data skills can also be leveraged for personal and creative pursuits. You can use data analysis to track and improve your fitness and health by monitoring workout routines, diet, and biometrics. Data skills are invaluable for conducting personal research projects, such as genealogical studies, where data from historical records and DNA tests can uncover family history. Additionally, data visualization can be employed in creative projects to tell compelling stories or create art, making complex data more accessible and engaging. ecommerce entrepreneurs can use data to analyze customer behavior, manage inventory, and optimize pricing strategies, enhancing their business's efficiency and competitiveness.

Support for Veterans

Support options for veterans, such as the GI Bill, the Forever GI Bill, and the VET TEC program, exist to honor their service and facilitate their transition to civilian life. 

The GI Bill, introduced initially after World War II, provides financial assistance for education and training, enabling veterans to pursue higher education and vocational training without bearing the total financial burden. This support is crucial for helping veterans acquire new skills and credentials, making them more competitive in the job market, and easing their reintegration into civilian society.

The Forever GI Bill, officially known as the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017, is a testament to the continuous support for veterans. It not only enhances and extends the benefits of the original GI Bill but also removes the 15-year time limit, allowing veterans to access their education benefits at any point in their lives. This unwavering support acknowledges that veterans' career and educational goals may evolve over time, providing them with continuous care as they adapt to changing circumstances and opportunities.

The VET TEC (Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses) program is another innovative initiative to support veterans. It focuses on providing training in high-demand technology fields, such as coding, data science, and information technology, without using up GI Bill entitlement. VET TEC partners with leading training providers to offer veterans cutting-edge education and direct pathways to employment in tech industries. 

These programs collectively ensure that veterans have access to the resources and opportunities they need to build successful post-military careers, recognizing their sacrifices and helping them achieve long-term personal and professional success.

To explore your options for VA supported programs through Noble Desktop, visit their Veterans Support page. Please note that Noble Desktop’s VA supported programs are only for in-person participants. Also, due to how VA benefits work, Noble’s VA supported programs usually only make sense for those who are enrolled full-time.

Why Learn Data

Learning data skills is becoming increasingly essential in today’s data-driven world. One of the primary reasons is the growing demand for data-literate professionals across various industries. Companies of all sizes are collecting vast amounts of data, and there is a pressing need for trained professionals who can analyze, interpret, and leverage this information to make informed decisions. By acquiring data skills, you can position yourself as a valuable asset to their organizations, capable of turning raw data into actionable insights that drive business strategy and innovation.

Another significant advantage of learning data skills is the ability to make evidence-based decisions. In professional and personal contexts, data literacy empowers you to evaluate information, identify trends, and critically predict outcomes. This analytical approach can lead to more effective problem-solving and strategic planning. For businesses, this means improved efficiency, reduced costs, and the ability to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market. But for individuals, it translates into more than just enhanced decision-making capabilities. It means better financial management, more successful project planning, and a deeper understanding of market trends.

Furthermore, data skills open up a wide range of career opportunities. With the rise of big data, fields such as data science, analytics, and artificial intelligence are experiencing exponential growth. Professionals equipped with data skills are in high demand, command competitive salaries, and have the flexibility to work in diverse sectors, from technology and finance to healthcare and marketing. Learning data skills can boost your career significantly, offering pathways to roles such as data analyst, data scientist, business intelligence analyst, and more. The potential for professional growth is immense.

Lastly, understanding data is crucial for fostering innovation. Data-driven insights can reveal new opportunities, optimize existing processes, and drive the development of innovative products and services. By learning how to analyze and interpret data effectively, you can contribute to creating data-driven solutions that address complex challenges. In an era where data is often referred to as the new oil, having the skills to harness its potential is invaluable for personal growth and professional advancement.

Why Choose a Skills Bootcamp?

Choosing a skills bootcamp offers several advantages over enrolling in a traditional four-year university program. One of the most compelling reasons is the time to completion. Skills bootcamps typically last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, enabling you to gain valuable, marketable skills in a fraction of the time it takes to earn a traditional degree. This accelerated timeline can be particularly appealing for those looking to pivot careers quickly or can't afford to spend several years out of the workforce.

Skills bootcamps shine with their practical, job-specific training, a significant benefit over four-year university programs. Unlike the latter, which often require you to complete a broad curriculum, including general education courses, bootcamps are designed to teach practical, job-ready skills. This targeted approach ensures that you spend time learning exactly what you need to succeed in your chosen field, whether coding, data analysis, digital marketing, or another in-demand skill. The practical training often includes hands-on projects and real-world scenarios, preparing graduates to hit the ground running in their new roles.

However, there are also disadvantages to consider. While bootcamps offer a fast track to employment, they may provide a different depth of knowledge or breadth of education than a traditional university program. University degrees often include comprehensive coursework that fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and a well-rounded understanding of various disciplines. Additionally, the networking opportunities and resources available at universities, such as access to research facilities and extracurricular activities, can be valuable for personal and professional development.

Consider your career goals and industry standards when deciding between a skills bootcamp and a four-year university program. While the hands-on skills and practical experience that bootcamp graduates bring are valued by many companies, others may still prefer candidates with traditional academic backgrounds. Therefore, as a prospective student, you must carefully weigh your options and make an informed decision.

Learn Data Skills with Noble Desktop

Data Analytics Foundations

The Data Analytics Foundations course taught by Noble Desktop offers hands-on training, available in NYC or live online, to teach the fundamentals of data analytics. You will learn descriptive and inferential statistics, data distributions, and how industries use data for forecasting and decision-making. The course covers statistical analysis and modeling, including algorithms, theorems, and models, making it suitable for beginners comfortable with basic Excel usage.

The course emphasizes practical application, engaging you in real-world examples and hands-on activities. With 12 hours of live instruction, you'll gain foundational skills in data analytics, preparing you for further studies or entry-level roles. Benefits include free retakes, setup assistance, expert instructors, and small class sizes. The course also offers flexible scheduling and financing options, with a verified digital certificate of completion provided upon finishing the program.

Excel for Data Analytics

The Excel for Data Analytics class led by Noble Desktop offers hands-on training in NYC or live online. It focuses on essential functions, formulas, and advanced techniques like Pivot Tables and VLOOKUP to enhance data analysis skills. You'll gain practical experience through projects guided by expert instructors, optimizing your workflow for efficient data analysis. The course includes benefits such as free retakes, setup assistance, and small class sizes for personalized learning.

This beginner-friendly course, part of a broader Data Analytics Certificate program, teaches core Excel functions and formulas, advanced data sorting and filtering, and visualization techniques. It provides hands-on projects and real-world examples to apply Excel for data analytics. The course offers a flexible scheduling option, and upon finishing the course, you'll receive a verified digital certificate of completion. Importantly, the course also provides support if you need a refresher or missed a session, ensuring you can successfully complete the course.

Data Analytics Technologies Bootcamp

The Data Analytics Technologies Bootcamp offered by Noble Desktop gives you hands-on training, in NYC or live online, teaching you industry-standard tools such as Excel, SQL, and Tableau. You will gain practical experience working on real-world projects to organize, analyze, summarize, and visualize data, presenting actionable insights. This comprehensive program includes free retakes, setup assistance, payment plans, and small classes to ensure personalized attention.

In this specialized bootcamp, you'll master Excel for data aggregation, SQL for database querying, and Tableau for data visualization and dashboard creation. With 51 hours of live instruction, you’ll complete the bootcamp with a verified digital certificate of completion and the skills necessary for entry-level data analysis roles. Flexible scheduling and financing options are available to accommodate various needs.

Data Analytics Certificate

Noble Desktop’s Data Analytics Certificate program—available in NYC or live online—offers hands-on expert training designed to equip students with essential skills in data analysis, visualization, and statistical analysis. You will gain practical experience through real-world projects, preparing for such careers as Data Analyst or Business Intelligence Analyst. The program includes free retakes, setup assistance, payment plans, and one-on-one mentoring. You’ll learn through predictive and prescriptive analytics case studies using tools and techniques such as Excel, Python, SQL, and Tableau.

Data Analytics is crucial in today’s workforce, helping companies make informed decisions, reduce risk, improve operations, and detect fraud. This course emphasizes data visualization to communicate your findings effectively. With a focus on real-world projects, the curriculum includes Excel for Data Analytics, Python for Data Science, SQL, Python for Automation, and Tableau Bootcamp, among others. The program offers flexible payment options, small class sizes, and interactive training sessions, ensuring you receive personalized attention and mentorship to succeed in your career.

AI for Data Analytics

Noble Desktop's AI for Data Analytics course offers hands-on training in NYC or live online to automate and enhance the data analysis process with artificial intelligence (AI). This course covers AI tools for data collection, preprocessing, analysis, and visualization, allowing you to extract valuable insights with minimal coding expertise. By the end of the course, you'll be proficient in AI-driven analytics, applicable across various sectors such as finance, marketing, and healthcare, and skilled in presenting their findings through sophisticated visualizations and reports.

In this course, you'll explore modules on AI tools, data collection and cleaning, exploratory data analysis, predictive modeling, and advanced AI techniques like natural language processing and time series forecasting. The course includes a capstone project where you can apply your skills to real-world data analysis tasks. Benefits include free retakes, setup assistance, expert instructors, and small class sizes, ensuring you get personalized attention and support throughout the learning process.

Tableau Bootcamp

Noble Desktop's Tableau Bootcamp offers hands-on training in NYC or live online to master Tableau, a powerful data visualization tool. You'll learn to create interactive and aesthetically pleasing charts, graphs, and maps, connect to datasets, analyze and structure data, customize visualizations, and publish your work. The course is designed to provide practical skills through live, project-based training, with benefits such as free retakes, setup assistance, and small class sizes for personalized attention.

Throughout the course, you'll explore the fundamentals of data visualization, including working with data in Tableau, creating and formatting visualizations, and using advanced tools for mapping and custom charts. The curriculum also covers creating dashboards and stories, allowing you to compile your visualizations into cohesive presentations. Graduates will earn a verified certificate of completion, with options for flexible scheduling and financing. The course is highly rated by alums for its comprehensive and engaging instruction.

Python Data Science & Machine Learning Bootcamp

Noble Desktop's Python Data Science & Machine Learning Bootcamp offers hands-on training in NYC or live online to master Python for data analysis, machine learning, and automation. The program covers essential skills like building predictive models, creating dynamic dashboards, and data visualization using tools like NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, and Seaborn. Designed to prepare students for entry-level data science and Python engineering roles, the course includes practical, project-based learning. It offers benefits like free retakes, setup assistance, payment plans, and one-on-one mentoring.

In this certificate program, you will learn Python programming fundamentals, use machine learning packages like Sci-Kit Learn, and create interactive dashboards with libraries such as Plotly and Dash Enterprise. The bootcamp's curriculum includes Python for Data Science, Python Machine Learning, Python for Automation, and Data Visualization, ensuring you gain comprehensive skills. Graduates receive a verified certificate of completion, job search assistance, and portfolio development support, with flexible scheduling and financing options available.

SQL Bootcamp

Noble Desktop's SQL Bootcamp offers hands-on training in NYC or live online. It teaches you to extract information from databases using SQL queries, join tables, aggregate data, and filter results. The course covers PostgreSQL, with concepts applicable to other databases like SQL Server and MySQL. More importantly, you'll gain practical skills in data manipulation, learning to turn raw data into actionable insights through coding exercises guided by expert instructors.

Throughout the course, you'll explore basic and advanced SQL techniques, including joins, subqueries, aggregate functions, and functions with parameters. The curriculum also includes using the DBeaver app for database exploration and SQL execution. Benefits include free retakes, setup assistance, small class sizes, and one-on-one training sessions. Upon completion, you'll receive a verified digital certificate, enhancing your professional skillset for roles in data-driven industries.

Data Science Certificate

The Data Science Certificate program led by Noble Desktop offers hands-on training in Python, SQL, automation, and machine learning, preparing you for entry-level data science and Python engineering roles. Designed for beginners, this program covers Python programming fundamentals, data analysis, SQL querying, and predictive modeling. You will gain practical experience through real-world projects, enhancing your portfolio and unlocking high-paying job opportunities in the data science field. Benefits include free retakes, setup assistance, payment plans, and one-on-one mentoring.

This certificate program will teach you to manipulate databases, analyze data, and build machine learning models using tools like Pandas and scikit-learn. The program also covers data visualization with Python libraries such as Matplotlib, Seaborn, Plotly, and Dash Enterprise, enabling you to create dynamic dashboards. Graduates receive job search assistance, resume and portfolio development support, and a verified certificate of completion. The curriculum includes Python for Data Science, SQL Bootcamp, Python for Automation, Data Visualization, and Machine Learning Bootcamp.

SQL Server Bootcamp

Noble Desktop's SQL Server Bootcamp offers hands-on training in NYC or live online, teaching you to extract information from databases using SQL queries, filter data, and join tables. This comprehensive course covers the fundamentals of SQL and applies them to various database systems using Microsoft SQL Server and the SQL Server Management Studio app (SSMS). You'll learn advanced techniques such as aggregate functions, subqueries, functions with parameters, and stored procedures. The concepts taught apply to other SQL flavors like PostgreSQL, Microsoft Access, and MySQL with minor syntax differences.

The course includes 18 hours of live, project-based training, with benefits like free retakes, setup assistance, and one-on-one training sessions. Upon completion, you'll receive a verified digital certificate. The program is ideal for anyone working with data, including business analysts, data analysts, and data scientists, providing essential skills for data-driven decision-making. Classes are offered on weekdays, evenings, and weekends, with flexible scheduling options available.