Is 30 Too Old to Learn Finance?

One of the great things about learning finance is that you can start learning it at any age. In fact, it's actually very common for people to start learning it in their thirties. Some financial experts feel like learning at this age is preferable to starting younger, since people in their thirties have had more time to develop many of the soft skills--like communication and leadership--that are critical to succeeding in this field. No matter how old you are when you start learning, finance is a skill that can lead to a good salary and a variety of different job options. Keep reading for more information about how long it takes to learn this skill and some tips about making the learning process easier.

Why Learn Finance at 30?

Finance experts are likely to have strong job prospects. Research shows that many finance jobs tend to pay well above average and are likely to remain fairly stable in the future. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a government agency that analyzes U.S. labor market statistics. It predicts that over the next ten years, Financial Analyst jobs will grow by about 9 percent. This is faster than the average U.S. job growth rate of 4 percent. The median pay for a Financial Analyst is almost $100,000 per year, according to BLS. The agency reports that the projected growth rate for Financial Managers is 17 percent, which is much faster than average, and the median pay for this position is about $156,000 yearly.

Finance can also lead to a wide range of different job options, which can be an asset no matter how old you are. Financial experts work in many different industries and hold many different types of positions. With expertise in this field, you can not only have a lot of choices about the type of job you take, but you’ll also have lots of opportunities for future growth or even career change.

How Long Will It Take to Learn Finance?

The amount of time it takes to learn finance depends on your experience, your education, and your goals, but in general, you can learn some basic skills within a few months, and get fairly comfortable within about a year. It may take a number of years to really master finance though. The way that you learn finance will also impact your learning timeline. Many classes come in both full-time and part-time options. With a full-time class, you can focus all of your attention on learning and complete your training as quickly as possible. However, if you have a busy schedule or other obligations, then a part-time program can be a good alternative because it allows you to learn at the same time as holding a job or meeting other obligations. If you learn part-time though, you can expect to learn more slowly than with a full-time program. Some people choose not to take a class at all, and instead learn finance on their own. If you choose this option then you can expect the learning process to take a lot longer too.

Ways to Make Learning Finance Easier and Quicker

There are many helpful resources that can be beneficial for anyone looking to learn financial skills. For example, Noble Desktop offers a free Stock Market Investing seminar for students looking to learn the basics of personal investment and an Excel Tips and Tricks seminar that is suited for beginners. These courses are excellent introductions to the basics of finance and are built with first-time learners in mind, so students can take advantage of these classes regardless of the path that they choose to take with their further training. In addition, services like MasterClass, Coursera, and Udemy offer a wide range of courses for learning all sorts of financial and investing skills. These courses give students the opportunity to learn at their own pace and to decide the order and focus of their lessons, providing even more freeform options for learning vital financial skills. 

Another great way to speed up the learning process is to enroll in a course with a live instructor who can guide you through the ins and outs of learning this topic. Live classes will provide students with the structure and guidance they are looking for to ensure that they stay on track and succeed at their long-term finance training goals. In addition to structure, learning with a live instructor will also give you a chance to get focused feedback on your work and support when you run into problems with the lessons. This added support might not seem like the most impactful aspect of learning these skills, but it will help to ensure that you don’t fall behind or stop with your training because you run into significant issues.

In addition, learning with a live instructor is an excellent way to be sure that you’re gaining an understanding of all of the principles and tools that finance professionals use. Most finance instructors have years of experience both in teaching and in the field of finance. Not only can they help you gain a comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of finance, but they can also share tips and tricks that could take you years to figure out by yourself. 

Another benefit of taking a live class is that you’ll learn as part of a group. This can be beneficial in a number of ways. One is that it enhances the learning process because you’ll be exposed to a range of different perspectives and ways of working; many students say that they gain a deeper understanding of finance concepts when they discuss them and work through exercises as a group. In some cases, you might ask peers for help or you might be the one offering help, both of which can enhance the learning process further. Finally, being part of a group of people with similar professional goals can give you access to networking relationships that can be valuable throughout your professional career. 

Learn Finance with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop is based in New York City and offers a number of different finance classes, including both short courses that can help you quickly master the basics, and longer, more comprehensive programs, where you can develop a strong finance skill set. Its classes can be taken in person at its Manhattan facility or in a live online format. Noble Desktop is licensed by the New York State Education Department. All courses include the option of a free retake within one year.

• One popular Noble Desktop option is the “MBA” Business Certificate. This course is an “MBA-style” program and it includes some of the skills taught in MBA programs. In this class, you’ll learn tools and strategies for finance, project management, marketing, and data analysis. You’ll also learn about the practical applications of generative AI and will get access to a self-paced class that covers the basics of business insurance, employment law, and business law. This class includes the option to take electives that match your specific area of interest. Finally, it comes with eight one-on-one mentoring sessions.
• Another option is the Financial Modeling Bootcamp. This course covers finance and accounting concepts, and you’ll build a comprehensive discounted cash flow model in Excel that is based on a real company. You will also learn about corporate finance and you’ll gain advanced Excel skills. Students who want to take this class should have intermediate-level proficiency in Excel. 
• Noble Desktop also offers a Financial Analyst Training Program. This class covers core Excel skills, in addition to Excel skills used in financial modeling. You’ll also learn about financial modeling, and build a 3-statement financial model. In addition, you’ll learn about reviewing company presentations, financial reports, and earnings releases so that you can find model drivers and assumptions. Finally, the course covers accounting, corporate finance, and valuation. 
• One of Noble Desktop’s newest offerings is the Chat GTP & AI for Business Bootcamp. This course is designed to give you the skills you’ll need to utilize AI in your daily business tasks. You’ll learn how to create effective prompts, manage conversations, and use advanced features like memory settings. You’ll also learn about the ethical considerations of AI. In addition, the course focuses on ways to use AI for task management, communication, and project planning. You’ll learn about automating repetitive tasks, optimizing schedules, and improving collaboration and administrative workflows.

Noble also offers a variety of short Excel classes: Excel Level 1,Level 2, and Level 3. Level 1 is focused on getting familiar with the interface, entering data, using essential formulas and functions, and creating charts. You’ll also learn how to format and print. Level 2 covers splitting and joining text, adding data validation, named ranges, database functions, adding logical statements, and using Pivot Tables. In addition, you’ll learn to use statistical functions and create advanced combo charts. In Level 3, instructors cover advanced concepts including cell locking, auditing, hotkeys, formatting for calculating dates, advanced functions, advanced analytical tools, Pivot Charts, and advanced database functions.