FinTech Training for Veterans

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 into a professional skills training program and learn the FinTech skills you’ve always wanted to learn. FinTech is a high-paying industry looking for skilled professionals to help create innovative services with the use of finance and technology. Gaining FinTech skills will also improve your financial literacy and help you manage your finances. 

What is FinTech?

FinTech is the convergence of financial services and technology. FinTech includes software aimed at delivering financial services and processes to consumers in a way that’s faster and more secure than previously possible. FinTech aims to make everyday financial decisions more efficient while innovating how people make financial transactions through applications or websites. Additionally, FinTech makes use of data analysis and applies it to the creation of FinTech software to ensure the innovation of efficient, secure, and easy-to-use solutions. 

The advent of FinTech dates back to the 1950s and 1960s, with the popularization of credit cards and electronic payment systems in the US. The FinTech industry of today has greatly evolved from what it once was alongside technology and the country’s economic growth. By the late 20th century, the landscape of FinTech had significantly altered, and today, the industry continues to evolve by leaps and bounds, with the advancement of regulatory systems and the development of contemporary technology. 

What Can You Do with FinTech Skills?

Career paths associated with FinTech offer individuals with a broad range of skills entry into the industry. Within FinTech, you’ll find Data Scientists, Software Engineers, Financial Analysts, Product Managers, and even Customer Service Representatives. 

Data Scientist

Data Scientists work with large sets of data which they analyze to help their company or client make business decisions. You can find Data Scientists working for the government, non-profits, financial services organizations, and other businesses. In the FinTech industry, Data Scientists navigate and manipulate financial data which is then used to make financial decisions. They may use data to predict risk, to evaluate investments, or to estimate the valuation of a company. 

Data Scientists must have analytical minds and excellent communication skills. Most companies expect them to have proficiency in languages such as R, SQL, and Python, file management, machine learning and algorithms, linear algebra, calculus, and statistics. An aspiring Data Scientist should consider earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics or data science, or they can enroll in a data science bootcamp or certificate course such as the ones offered by Noble Desktop and similar training centers.

Software Engineer

Software Engineers develop software used for a variety of purposes, from gaming to operating systems, for companies or clients. Software Engineers need an understanding of several coding languages and know how to use frameworks, libraries, and developer tools. They often specialize in specific languages depending on the industry they work in. Coding languages frequently used by Software Engineers include Java, CSS, C++, and HTML. In addition to technical knowledge, a Software Engineer must possess other skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, process analysis, and communication. 

Software Engineers in the FinTech industry develop and maintain financial services software. Should you dive into a career as a Software Engineer, you may find yourself developing financial applications to facilitate transactions or manage data, building payment systems like mobile payment apps and online banking platforms, or predicting trends and detecting fraud with the use of data analytics and machine learning techniques. 

Financial Analyst

With their knowledge of business, finance, or accounting, Financial Analysts analyze data and make investment recommendations for their company or clients. They pay close attention to business and economic trends and manage this financial data to facilitate the decision-making process. Financial Analysts often specialize in a specific field, be it investment banking, equity, financial planning and analysis, or corporate development. They must have knowledge of industry jargon, understand how to manipulate and analyze financial data, and have the ability to communicate their findings with leadership. 

Financial Analysts in the FinTech industry provide key insights to help businesses make strategic financial decisions. Through their thorough analysis of financial data, they can ensure that their company or client makes logical and data-backed decisions. Financial Analysts interested in consumer behavior can lend their expertise to analyzing consumer behavior and feedback and offering recommendations to other teams on how to improve customer experience. 

Product Manager

Product Managers help develop business and development strategies for their company that will contribute to the success of a specific product or set of products produced by the company. This may include overseeing market analysis and product ideation. When working in the FinTech industry, Product Managers must use their market research skills to discern consumer trends and ensure that products meet customer experience expectations while staying up-to-date with the constantly innovating industry. They also work with stakeholders to ensure the alignment of priorities across departments and develop a clear vision for the product. 

Customer Service Representative

Like any business, FinTech companies depend on making their customers happy to maintain their business. Customer Service Representatives act as a bridge between consumers and the company, playing an integral part in representing the brand of the company and resolving customer concerns. They routinely handle transactions, educate consumers on how to use products correctly, and resolve consumer complaints. Their knowledge of the products and services in question is paramount, as many Customer Service Representatives provide technical support for a number of issues, including login problems, software glitches, and payment failures.

Support for Veterans

Veterans looking for financial support to handle the cost of enrolling in a FinTech class can turn to the GI Bill and its expansions made under the Forever GI Bill. The GI Bill is a piece of legislation providing veterans, active-duty service members, and their dependents access to financial support to pursue higher education and vocational training, among other forms of financial support. The Forever GI Bill is recent legislation that updated and expanded the benefits of the GI Bill. With the Forever GI Bill in effect, there is no longer a time limit in place on the use of GI Bill benefits and eligibility was expanded to include other persons, among additional expansions. 

To explore your options for VA-supported programs through Noble Desktop, please visit their Veterans Support page. GI Bill recipients may enroll in several in-person certificate classes offered by Noble Desktop and held at their Midtown Manhattan location. This includes their Data Science Certificate, a beginner-level program where you’ll learn Python, SQL, automation, and machine learning to help prepare you for an entry-level role as a Data Scientist. They also offer a Software Engineering Certificate, Python Developer Certificate, and Data Analytics Certificate, all of which include 1-on-1 mentoring sessions. 

Why Learn FinTech?

Learning FinTech skills offers you the chance to begin a career in an industry where skilled professionals can find well-paying jobs with the right expertise and experience on their resume. FinTech companies have a high demand for professionals skilled in software development, data science and analysis, cybersecurity, and financial modeling. Companies often experience rapid growth due to the innovative nature of FinTech services, which puts them in need of talented employees, resulting in competitive salaries. Roles often require specialized skills, like blockchain development and financial analysis in algorithmic trading, which also results in high salaries in hopes of attracting top talent with niche expertise.

FinTech skills can also help you in your personal life. Classes centered around financial analysis often improve financial literacy and cover the skills needed to budget, financially plan, and understand how to evaluate risky investments. Each of these skills can help you in your personal life, from budgeting your monthly expenses to planning for retirement. A general improvement in financial literacy is especially valuable, as financial literacy is shown to help individuals better manage their personal finances, make better decisions as consumers, and contribute to overall economic stability in society. 

Learning FinTech skills now is a great experience in skill development. The many aspects of FinTech guarantee that you’ll learn a wide range of valuable skills from pursuing classes, like programming, data analysis and visualization, financial modeling, blockchain development, and cybersecurity. Some FinTech classes cover regulations in the industry and the ethics of FinTech services. The skills and knowledge you gain from attending FinTech classes are in high demand and can transfer across various industries, leaving you options of pursuing a career outside the realm of FinTech if you decide the industry is not for you. 

Why Choose a Skills Bootcamp?

When deciding to enroll in FinTech classes, you may need to decide between attending a skills bootcamp or a career-certificate program. The choice will depend on whether your learning goal is to focus on developing advanced-level FinTech skills or focusing on career readiness. 

Training bootcamps allow students to spend several days or weeks training FinTech skills from beginner to advanced level. They focus on hands-on experience and ensure that students have thoroughly understood the skills covered in class. Bootcamps provide comprehensive and intensive lessons. For students who would like to develop the skills focused on in a bootcamp but need to break up the bootcamp into smaller sessions, many training centers offer short-term classes that, when taken in succession, cover the curriculum of their bootcamp. 

Career-certificate programs focus on preparing you to begin a career in FinTech. You’ll focus on the major skills you’re expected to have in the field while also working on developing other skills to prepare you for a job search and subsequent career in the field. Most schools offering career certificate programs provide access to career prep resources, like mock interviews, resume reviews, and access to their alumni network. After finishing the program, students receive a certificate of completion. 

Four-year FinTech programs offered by universities offer extensive lessons in FinTech and most schools provide career services for students. The main difference between these programs and other learning options is the time of completion. Training bootcamps and career-certificate programs may take several months to complete at the most whereas university programs take four years. These programs cost more than training bootcamps and certificate programs as well, often running from tens of thousands of dollars to over $100,000. 

Learn FinTech at Noble Desktop

Learn FinTech skills by enrolling in one of Noble Desktop’s FinTech programs. Noble Desktop offers most classes live online, where students will learn under the guidance of an instructor via a web conferencing platform, and in person at their NYC campus. 

Noble’s FinTech Bootcamp is an interactive program covering the essential skills needed to begin a career in the FinTech industry. Under the guidance of an instructor, you’ll learn Python programming, data science, financial analysis, data visualization, and machine learning. Noble Desktop offers the bootcamp in a 4-week full-time schedule on weekdays, or a 4-month part-time schedule on evenings and Saturdays. In addition to five units covering Python and SQL as used for FinTech, you’ll also have the option of choosing a bonus 18-hour elective unit on either Python or financial modeling. 

Students pursuing or currently in a finance-related profession, interested in using Python’s financial libraries to manipulate and analyze financial data, should enroll in Noble Desktop’s Python for Finance Bootcamp. Over the 18-hour live online course, students will learn how to use Python’s financial libraries and gain hands-on experience gathering and manipulating financial data, fetching APIs for company and economic data, analyzing SEC financial statements, building risk models, and applying linear regression for stock price predictions. Aside from a financial background, students should also have taken Noble’s Python for Data Science Bootcamp, or have equivalent knowledge. If you want to take the course but don’t think you have the financial background necessary, contact Noble after registration to access a free on-demand supplemental guide. 

Financial modeling plays an important role in the FinTech industry. Analysts working for a firm or taking on clients should understand how to use financial models to predict risk and evaluate and compare financial decisions. In Noble Desktop’s Financial Modeling Bootcamp, you’ll learn essential financial and accounting concepts as you work toward gaining the core skills required for a career handling equity research, financial planning and analysis, investment banking, private equity, or corporate finance. Prior financial experience is helpful when enrolling in the bootcamp, but not required. After completing the three-day course, you’ll receive a verified digital certificate of completion and have access to a retake for free within one year. 

Noble Desktop’s beginner-level Data Science Certificate program will provide you with the hands-on training needed to start an entry-level data science or Python engineering position. Spend four weeks full-time (weekdays) or 20 weeks part-time (evenings or Saturdays) learning how to program with Python, perform data analysis, query with SQL, and create predictive models. You’re guaranteed to succeed in this class as you spend 114 hours plus an additional six 1-on-1 mentoring sessions receiving professional advice, receiving detailed and personalized feedback, and mapping out your learning goals. No prior knowledge is required to enroll, making the class ideal for individuals looking to get started with data science, Analysts who want to transition to using Python and SQL, and Developers looking to gain additional skills.