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. 

These Noble Desktop bootcamps and certificate programs have been approved for the training of veterans and other eligible persons using the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33), the Veteran Readiness and Employment Program (Chapter 31), and the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35).

Noble Desktop Finance Training Courses Approved by the VA:

• Data Science & AI Certificate
• Data Analytics Certificate

Support for Veterans Looking to Learn FinTech

Veterans and their family members are eligible to receive education funding from the US government through the GI Bill. The GI Bill will cover the costs of tuition, housing, books, meals, and other associated costs for education and training approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The GI Bill got its start as the Serviceman’s Readjustment Act of 1944, a bill aimed at providing WWII veterans with education, employment, and housing benefits. That original bill’s funding ended in 1956, but Congress has since passed the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Forever GI Bill. The Post-9/11 GI Bill allows those who served after 2001 to receive education benefits and the Forever GI Bill amended this legislation in key ways, including getting rid of the 15-year time limit that veterans had to use their benefits. 

The current GI Bill still covers costs associated with education or vocational training for veterans, former and active service members, and their dependents. This funding is one way to ensure that veterans have access to education and are supported even after their time in the military. The funding is also intended to help veterans transition back into civilian life by gaining new skills or transferring the skills they gained in the military to the civilian sector. Veterans can also apply to transfer their funds to a dependent, like a child or a spouse, so that they can access quality education, as well. Active service members can use their GI Bill benefits, though this will usually result in someone receiving reduced benefits. 

The GI Bill will fund VA-approved training and you can check with the VA to see which schools and facilities are approved and compare your benefits. Noble Desktop has two VA-approved certificate programs for those interested in learning FinTech. The Data Analytics Certificate and the Data Science & AI Certificate are both great options for veterans who want comprehensive, career-oriented training in using technologies to understand financial markets, make predictions, and extract valuable insights from datasets. These certificates both aim to provide learners with the training that will allow them to start working in FinTech professions upon completion and students will have access to career-support services. Some of the services included are 1-on-1 mentorship with experts in the field, individualized feedback on your projects and course performance, and help to develop a successful professional portfolio for use when navigating the job market. 

Why Should Veterans Learn FinTech?

One of the main reasons veterans should consider learning FinTech is that it is an in-demand skillset. FinTech is closely related to the field of data science, a field that the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects to grow by 36% over the next decade. This fast growth rate shows the need for trained professionals who can leverage their knowledge of financial analysis, predictive modeling, risk assessment, and other core financial and technical skills to help businesses in various industries. 

Learning FinTech will allow veterans to cultivate a skillset that allows them to pursue diverse career paths and opportunities. While one can move into data analytics roles within finance or retail, FinTech learners can also find themselves in engineering or developer roles, going into product management, or working in cybersecurity. Because this skillset is flexible, learners can explore their own interests and bolster any preexisting technical skills they might have acquired during their military training and service. 

FinTech careers also allow veterans to pursue roles within organizations, companies, and businesses that are geared towards innovation and making an impact. Many organizations are using FinTech to try to change how they have traditionally operated and are looking to use technology to become more efficient, more sustainable, more competitive, or more accessible. Learning FinTech can mean that you have a chance to be part of how new technologies change both the ways that organizations function and how those changes will impact the everyday lives of those living in the US. 

What Can You Do With FinTech Skills?

Learning FinTech provides you with an adaptable skillset that has use in many industries and applications. With FinTech skills you will be able to analyze financial data, which will allow you to look for market trends or provide insights on how a person, business, or organization can grow or sustain their wealth. FinTech courses will often also teach learners how to create, test, or rely on machine learning models. These models are often used to manage risk or predict market changes and they have a vital place in the decision-making processes of many industries. 

The FinTech skillset has uses beyond just the finance or retail industries. Learning FinTech can be the start of following a career path in data analytics, data science, or even software development or engineering. This pathway will allow you to develop websites, systems, or applications for a range of purposes. Those interested in becoming a Software Developer or Software Engineer will need more training so that they can use a diverse set of coding skills to design and manage websites and software. FinTech courses will often train learners in Python, a widely used programming language, so you will have a start at writing code in Python that can be the basis for further web development training. 

Your FinTech skills can also be used to manage your own finances. While many people learn FinTech for career opportunities, you can also use your knowledge and training to monitor finances for yourself or a small business of your own. You will become someone who is better able to understand financial statements and make decisions based on the financial data that you’re able to collect and analyze. FinTech skills are also an entry point to learning about investing, so if you’re interested in acquiring and managing assets to grow your personal wealth, learning FinTech will help you to accomplish this goal. 

The Best Training Formats for Veterans

Full-Time Vs. Part-Time Enrollment & In-Person Vs. Online Training

Before enrolling in a specific FinTech course, Veterans should carefully consider the course’s training format. Whether you enroll in a course as a full-time or part-time student will impact how much funding you can receive to cover your education costs. Full-time enrollment is preferred and will allow you to receive your maximum allowable benefits as part-time enrollees will only be eligible for funding at a reduced rate. However, those with full-time jobs or other responsibilities might still find that part-time enrollment is the best option for them and should still be able to receive funding for their part-time training. 

Whether you take a class in person or online will also impact your benefit payment rate. Those enrolled in online training are only eligible for 50% of their housing allowance because they are not required to be physically present in a specific location to receive their training. Because of this reduction, in-person enrollment is preferred as it allows you to receive your maximum amount of allowable funding. In-person training is still considered the best way to learn and retain information, though not everyone will be able to find and attend in-person FinTech training. Some will find that online training is still preferable as it is more accessible and more convenient for those who cannot locate training in their area or do not want to travel to attend classes.

Certificate Programs

A certificate program is a comprehensive, career-oriented course of study that is designed to give students all of the knowledge and technical skills to enter into a particular profession. These programs are shorter, more focused, and more cost-effective than a traditional two- or four-year degree program. Additionally, everything that someone learns in a certificate program will be specific to the topic at hand, so there are no extra courses or general education requirements as you would find in college or university degree programs. Those who complete one of these programs will receive a physical or digital certificate that they show to potential employers as evidence of their education and skills training. 

Certificate programs in FinTech will often cover the skillsets necessary for a profession in data analytics or data science. These will be courses of study where one learns not only accounting or financial analysis, but also how to use programming languages like Python or SQL to collect, organize, analyze, and visualize data. FinTech certificate programs will involve training in real-world projects and attendees will receive professional skill development and career support, which can include mentorship, portfolio development, aid in navigating the job market, or even access to internal job boards and alumni networks. 

Skills Bootcamps

Another training option is enrolling in a bootcamp. Bootcamps are accelerated courses that aim to teach learners one specific skill or program. A bootcamp will usually be shorter than a certificate program, though bootcamps are often still career-oriented and can come with similar professional skill development and career-support services as certificate programs. 

A FinTech bootcamp will often cover the necessary aspects of financial data analytics, Python programming, and using SQL or Excel. It will be more narrow in focus than something like a certificate program but it will still aim to cover the fundamentals and provide beginning to intermediate-level knowledge and technical skill training. Bootcamps are less likely to be covered by your GI Bill benefits, but this can vary by program and training provider. Check with the VA to determine whether you can use your benefits on any bootcamps you might want to enroll in.. 

Other Considerations for Veterans Looking for FinTech Training

Professional Skill Development

Professional skill development refers to an entire skillset necessary to thrive in a professional career in FinTech. These skills include one’s subject area knowledge, technical skills, and soft skills and will make someone a well-rounded and successful job candidate. Not every training program offers professional skill development and it is rarely found in free or self-paced training programs. Instead, you want to look for certificate programs, degree programs, and skill bootcamps as they are most likely to offer the training necessary to succeed on the job market and in the workplace. 

Career-Support Services

If your goal is to pursue a professional career in FinTech, you will need to find a training program that offers some sort of career support. You can often find career-support services in certificate programs and degree programs and they are also offered during some skills bootcamps, as well. These services can include opportunities for 1-on-1 mentorship, networking with professionals or program alumni, access to job boards, and help navigating the job market. It is common for many career-oriented programs to provide help compiling job materials, like a portfolio, CV, or LinkedIn profile. 

VA-Backed Resources

The VA also offers its own set of resources and programs for former service members. Most of their resources are geared towards helping veterans find training, locate career opportunities, or leverage their military skillset for civilian-sector occupations. You can find these resources through the VA’s official website. Their website is also where you can find the GI Bill Comparison Tool which will allow you to search for VA-approved schools and training programs and compare your benefits. 

FinTech Careers

Financial Analyst

A Financial Analyst will be tasked with monitoring, assessing, and analyzing the financial data of an individual, business, or organization. These professionals are looking to help individuals or businesses improve yearly earnings or sustain their growth. To do this, they need to be able to assess trends and extract important financial insights from their clients’ data. FinTech training will give someone the ability to start doing financial assessments and making important predictions on the financial outlook of companies and individuals. 

Financial Analysts earn an average yearly salary of $79,000, before any additional pay in the form of bonuses, commissions, or profit-sharing endeavors. In total, one’s pay as a Financial Analyst can range from around $86,000 to $141,000. What you will actually earn depends on where you are located, your education and training background, your skill level, and any specializations you have developed. 

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist will collect, organize, analyze, and visualize data for companies or organizations. Data Scientists are often considered problem solvers, as they are responsible for finding solutions to a company's problems by drawing on their training in using data analytics, statistical modeling, and machine learning. Like other data analytics professionals, they will often have to find and clean data, query databases to locate trends and find insights, visualize their findings, and they will need to have advanced knowledge of programming to build their own machine-learning models or code their own Python scripts. 

A Data Scientist makes an average of $118,000, without any additional pay. Someone in this role can expect additional pay in the form of bonuses, commissions, or profit-sharing, and a Data Scientist’s total salary ranges from $129,000 to around $209,000. Salary will depend on other factors like location, experience, education, industry, and specialization. 

Python Developer

A Python Developer is a kind of Software Developer that works with the Python programming language to write scripts, design software programs, and do system maintenance. What one actually does within this role will be determined by the company they work for, as it can range from writing scripts that will automate repetitive business practices to debugging and fixing errors in existing software. Learning FinTech can be the start of working towards becoming a Python Developer, Software Developer, or Software Engineer as Python is often used when working with data analytics and predictive, machine-learning models. 

In the US, the average salary for a Python Developer is $98,000. This average does not include extra pay like bonuses, commissions, or profit-sharing endeavors, and what Python Developers in the US are earning can range from $99,000 to $147,000 a year. Similar to other occupations, you should expect that your education, experience, and location will also determine your pay. 

Product Manager

Product Managers are in charge of planning, organizing, and completing projects. They will be instrumental in managing all parts of a project from start to finish and will need to be the leader of a larger team that monitors the work of team members, makes sure the project remains on time and within its budget limits, and communicates the project’s progress to clients and other stakeholders. Someone with FinTech training will find that their skills in risk management and working with technologies makes them good candidates for this kind of professional role. This is a senior-level, lead position within a business or organization, so it will take years of experience and training for someone to reach this level. 

Someone working as a Product Manager earns an average salary of $125,000 a year. This average does not account for any extra pay and Product Managers generally earn a total annual salary of around $150,000 to $264,000. One’s pay in this role will be linked to performance and skill level and other factors like education, location, and industry will impact what a Product Manager makes. 

Learn FinTech at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers two VA-approved certificate programs, the Data Analytics Certificate and Data Science & AI Certificate. These certificate programs allow veterans, service members, or their dependents to learn FinTech and its related skillsets. All Noble Desktop classes include hands-on training from expert instructors who will provide up-to-date instruction on concepts and technical skills students need to learn the subject matter. Noble’s certificate programs will come with important professional development skills and career-support services that set learners up to be able to navigate the job market and enter the workforce upon completion of these certificate programs. Certificates and other classes can be taken in person at Noble Desktop’s Manhattan-based training facility or online from any location. 

The Data Analytics Certificate is a great option for those looking to work in FinTech as a Financial Analyst, Business Analyst, or Data Analyst. This is a comprehensive program of study that will teach learners how to collect data, extract actionable insights, and create visual data stories. Technical skillsets covered include data analytics fundamentals, Python programming, and SQL. Those in this certificate program will also learn to write Python scripts to automate processes, build machine learning models, and create data visualizations using software like Tableau. Full-time enrollees will attend six weeks of classes scheduled on weekdays and part-time enrollees will attend 24 weeks of evening or weekend classes. 

Another VA-approved certificate is the Data Science & AI Certificate. Those in this certificate program will learn how to use Python to collect, organize, clean, analyze, and visualize data. Students will practice working with a variety of data types, querying databases using SQL, writing Python scripts to automate tasks, building machine learning models, and creating engaging data stories to communicate their findings with others. Learners can enroll full-time for four weeks of weekday classes or part-time for 20 weeks of evening or weekend classes. The projects you work on in both the Data Science & AI Certificate and the Data Analytics Certificate replicate those you’ll work on in data analytics and data science professions and you will receive individualized feedback on your work so that you can continue to develop your skills. 

Noble Desktop has additional FinTech bootcamps that Veterans can consider enrolling in to learn specific FinTech skills. The FinTech Bootcamp provides four weeks of essential programming and data analytics skills so that someone can start a career in financial analysis or data science. This bootcamp includes 1-on-1 mentoring, trains learners in programming with Python, SQL, and machine learning, and allows attendees to enroll in two bonus classes to enhance their skillset after the regular course is completed. Learners can also consider the Financial Modeling Bootcamp, the Python for Finance Bootcamp, and the Python for Data Science Bootcamp, all of which will provide topic-specific skills training for those who want to learn FinTech foundations through individual training bootcamps.