Video Editing Training for Veterans

Learning video editing can be the start of a fulfilling career for veterans, service members, or their dependents. This in-demand training provides the necessary technical skills and soft skills to pursue work in video editing and motion graphics in a variety of industries. As a current or former military service member, you are entitled to education benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill which can be used to learn skill sets like video editing. Noble Desktop offers VA-approved comprehensive certificate programs as well as skills-focused bootcamps and short classes that will teach you everything you need to know about video editing. Read on to learn more about video editing and what you need to consider as a veteran or service member when looking for VA-approved, career-oriented video editing training.

What is Video Editing?

Video editing involves editing and manipulating recorded moving images and sound to create a finalized video project. Editing can include organizing and cutting video clips, synchronizing and adjusting sound, adding B-roll, effects, and motion elements, and correcting issues in color or quality. The history of video editing is as old as film itself. Early film editors used to physically cut strips of film and suture them back together to transition between scenes. Today, video editing involves learning to use software like Adobe Premiere Pro for image and sound editing, Adobe After Effects for motion graphics, animation, and visual effects, and Final Cut Pro for both video editing and motion graphics.

Video editing takes place as part of the post-production process in a number of industries including film, television, and advertising. Video editing professionals do not only work on entertainment or promotional materials, they also commonly work on video communications, documentaries, and educational materials in other industries including education, healthcare, finance, or retail. Learning video editing skills will not only allow you to pursue a career in many of these industries, but it will also allow you to create engaging content for websites and digital channels. 

What Can You Do with Video Editing Skills?

Learning video editing will give you the skills necessary to edit and create videos. Video editing training provides you with the theoretical concepts underlying editing sound and moving images and gives you a technical skill set that allows you to manipulate and edit a variety of video projects. You will learn topics like continuity editing, which allows you to create complete projects by making meaningful cuts and utilizing effective transitions to keep your audience engaged and focused on key information, crucial dialogue, and important actions. Your training will also allow you to synchronize sound and image, add sound effects, or do sound mixing. 

Along with essential editing skills, you will usually also learn how to do some motion graphics and animation work, as well. Animation and motion graphics are used widely across many video-based projects as a way to create moving and engaging text or graphics for one’s video. While you might not learn how to create a full scene or character using visual effects in one video editing course, you will learn how to do things like create an end credits scroll or a main title sequence. This skill set will allow you to work on video editing projects and to move into animation, visual effects, and other motion graphics work for video and digital projects. 

Many people also use their video editing skills for fun. If you’ve ever wanted to create your own video or add effects to your social media content, video editing training can be a first step towards these goals. Your video editing skills will allow you to edit home movies or any other video footage that could use some professional touching up. You can also create animations to add to social media content, which will make your posts more engaging for your friends or followers. 

Support for Veterans

The GI Bill can cover tuition, housing, books, and other education expenses for veterans, service members, and their dependents. The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 was the first GI Bill. This first bill provided servicemen who fought in WWII with a variety of benefits, including funds to pursue an education. While funding for this original bill ended in 1956, the US Congress has since signed into law the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Forever GI Bill. These bills help to ensure that veterans, current and former service members, their spouses, and their children can receive similar education benefits. 

Those who meet the requirements of the Post-9/11 GI Bill can have the costs associated with their in-person or online courses of study covered through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA and the US government understand that it is necessary to support veterans and their family members even after their time of service has come to an end. This kind of support is seen as an essential step to ensure veterans and service members can remain a vital part of the workforce and can easily transition back into civilian life. Additionally, veterans and service members can apply to transfer their funds to a spouse or dependent so that they can use them for their education. Some people also choose to use their education benefits while still serving, though this can result in receiving reduced benefits. Check with the VA to confirm what will be covered. 

Noble Desktop offers VA-approved programs of study for veterans and service members looking to continue their education or start down a new career pathway. Consider enrolling in Noble’s Video Editing & Motion Graphics Certificate which provides comprehensive training to pursue a career in video editing. This course of study will teach participants the basics of video editing and sound design in Premiere Pro and also covers motion graphics, animation, and visual effects in After Effects. Those who undertake this program will receive additional aid to develop a professional portfolio that can be shown to prospective employers. 

Why Should Veterans Consider Video Editing? 

Veterans, in particular, should consider learning video editing for flexible and accessible career opportunities. Learning video editing allows you to receive technical skills training, as you will learn how to use computer software to edit moving images and sound and add effects to video projects. This skills training is the basis of many stable, sustainable careers across a variety of industries. While many video editing professionals work in motion pictures, television, or advertising, those with this training can also find a home in education, retail, healthcare, finance, and any other industry that produces video or animated content for entertainment, informational, or educational purposes. 

Learning video editing can also allow you to pursue a career in other sectors and industries like digital marketing or social media marketing. It is common for someone in these marketing fields to need to know how to edit videos and add effects or animations to web content. You can find yourself working to create an animated brand logo for a website or to create targeted video content for distribution on social media channels. 

These video editing skills can also allow you to pursue part-time and freelance work. Those who are not looking for a full-time job or to work for a single company or employer can gain a flexible skill set in video editing. Many find that video editing allows them to choose when they want to work and what types of projects they want to work on. Someone can even pursue a career as a Videographer, which allows them to shoot and edit live footage of sporting events, news broadcasts, weddings, graduations, and other important events or occurrences. 

What Training Format is Best for Veterans?

Training format matters and you will want to find the course that best meets your own needs and learning preferences. When considering training formats, keep in mind that whether you attend in-person or online training or register for part-time or full-time enrollment will change your payment and reimbursement rates. Choosing online or part-time education will often decrease the amount of funding you’re eligible for and reduce your housing allowance by 50% of the regular rate. 

In-person training is a great way to learn a new skill set in an environment dedicated entirely to education. You are able to learn from an expert instructor and interact and network with the instructor and other students. In-person training, however, can also be more expensive, difficult to find for video editing, and is not accessible for those with full-time jobs or busy schedules. Online learning is often a more convenient option, especially for those who want to learn from the convenience of home and on their own schedule. Some students do find it harder to learn through digital platforms, so online learning means you will have to work harder to engage with the course material, instructor, and other students. 

For veterans, you will also want to consider the length of a training program. College and university degree programs usually take the most amount of time to complete and you will often need to take additional general education requirements beyond the necessary training for your intended career. By contrast, a certificate program will provide condensed, career-oriented training for those who want to move directly from the classroom into the workforce. Certificate programs are usually shorter in length than two- or four-year degree programs. Bootcamps are another short, intensive option for video editing training, though some bootcamps might not be covered by your education benefits. 

Tips for Finding the Right Video Editing Training for Veterans 

Find VA-Approved Training

It is important to make sure the educational opportunities you’re interested in will allow you to use your GI Bill benefits. If you’re not sure whether a course or program of study will be covered through GI Bill funding, reach out to the VA. Their website provides a breakdown of the kinds of training they cover, how to qualify for funding, and the current payment rates. Their GI Bill comparison tool will also allow you to search for VA-approached schools and compare your GI Bill benefits. 

Consider Comprehensive Training Instead of Single-Skill Training

You will find many different training formats for video editing, from complete four-year degree programs and one-month certificate programs to shorter skills-focused bootcamps or individual classes. It is most common for your GI Benefits to cover comprehensive, career-oriented training programs that you can find from a university, college, or VA-approved training facility, like Noble Desktop. Your chosen career, however, might require you to take additional short, skills-focused bootcamps or multi-day courses, and you should be aware that these may or may not be covered by your GI Bill benefits. 

Prioritize Professional Skill Development

Professional skill development means you are learning a complete career-oriented skillset of both technical video editing skills and soft skills like communication, collaboration, and creative thinking. You are most likely to find professional skill development in certificate programs, degree programs, and some career-oriented bootcamps. These are the types of video editing training focused on making sure that students can learn the skills they need to enter the workforce in their chosen careers. 

Look for Career-Support Services

Learning the right skills does not guarantee a job, you will also want to make sure you’re receiving some kind of professional skill development and career support. Veterans and former service members will find it especially useful to enroll in training and certificate programs that offer career support, which can include help developing your job portfolio or navigating the job market as well as mentorship and networking opportunities. Those receiving VA education benefits are also eligible for VA Chapter 36, or Personalized Career Planning and Guidance, which is another important resource to pursue. 

Video Editing Careers

Video Editor

Video Editors are professionals who manipulate recorded sound and moving images to create and finalize video projects. These professionals will need to know how to use video editing software to ensure a purposeful organization of clips and continuity between shots and will need to do sound design and correct any technical issues with the video footage. They often work in the film and TV or advertising industries, but can also work in a variety of other industries that need moving image content. 

The current average yearly salary for a Video Editor in the US is $69,000, according to Glassdoor. The salary for someone in this position can range from around $52,000 up to around $94,000. One’s actual salary will depend upon their experience, education, location, and any sort of specialization. 

Animator

Animators work on designing and drawing moving images, by hand or with specialized animation software. They will often have training in video editing but will also need to know how to do 2D or 3D animation and might have a background in the arts or visual design. These professionals can work in a variety of industries, from film and TV to video games and web design. 

An Animator earns around $72,000 annually, according to Glassdoor, and an Animator’s pay can depend on whether they are a 2D Animator or a 3D Animator. Animators earn around $59,000 at the lower end of the pay range and around $110,000 at the higher end. 3D Animators often earn more than 2D Animators and both need training in using software programs like Premiere Pro, After Effects, or any other software needed within one’s industry. 

Motion Graphics Designer

A Motion Graphics Designer creates moving images, motion graphics, animation, or visual effects for projects that can range from videos and video games to advertising campaigns and web elements. They will have a background in video editing and motion graphics and can work in similar industries as Video Editors and Animators, though they can also work in web design. A Motion Graphics Designer will often specialize so that they can create animation or effects for specific industries or clients. 

According to Glassdoor, Motion Graphics Designers earn around $86,000 including any additional pay like bonuses or commissions. Annual pay ranges from $67,000 at the low end to a high end of $110,000. There is a lot of room for movement and specialization within this career, as someone can start as a Motion Graphics Artist and work their way up being a Motion Graphics Designer. Additionally, someone can specialize in roles like Special Effects or Visual Effects Artist within this career path. 

Social Media Manager

A Social Media Manager runs the social media accounts for a person, brand, or organization. They will usually be responsible for posting content, engaging with target audiences, and analyzing performance data to ensure that their messages are reaching the right users. A background in video editing can help these professionals create more engaging content to share on various digital channels. 

In the US, a Social Media Manager’s annual average salary is around $60,000. One’s salary will depend on their skill level, education, and any specializations and can range between $46,000 to $82,000. For this position, you will need further education in digital marketing and advertising fundamentals and learning video editing can be the start of going down this pathway for a career in advertising. 

Learn Video Editing at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers VA-approved certificate programs in a number of sought-after digital, design, and development fields, including video editing. Every certificate program at Noble Desktop provides comprehensive, career-oriented training that will help students learn the skills they need to pursue professional work in their chosen field or industry. Students will engage in hands-on training from expert instructors who can guide students through learning essential technical skills and important theoretical concepts so that they can work on real-world projects that will help apply their classroom knowledge to work in their prospective profession. Courses can be taken in person at Noble’s Manhattan training facility in New York City or online from any location. 

For veterans and service members looking to learn video editing, consider enrolling in Noble’s Video Editing & Motion Graphics Certificate program. This certificate program is offered as a full-time, one-month course of study or as a part-time, four-month course. Veterans and service members are encouraged to enroll in the full-time option so that they can maximize their benefits. Students in this course will learn how to work with industry-standard video editing software like Premiere Pro and visual effects software like After Effects. Those enrolled in the course should expect to learn how to edit, arrange, and color-correct video clips, clean up the sound, and add transitions, animations, and effects to their video projects. 

The Video Editing & Motion Graphics Certificate is especially useful for someone who wants a career working as a Video Editor, an Animator, a Special Effects Artist, or in another video editing position. Learning motion graphics along with video editing will allow you to pursue career opportunities in animation, visual effects, web design, and social media content creation. Your career options can be discussed during the run of the course, as certificate program attendees will receive professional skill development and will be tasked with creating a demo reel that they can show to future employers. This certificate program also comes with a bonus class that allows participants to take either the Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp or the AI for Video & Motion Graphics course, which will enhance their skills and marketability. 

In addition to this VA-approved certificate program, those wanting to learn video editing can consider other Noble courses and programs of study. If you’re not sure whether you want to commit to a full course in video editing, consider Premiere Pro in a Day. This is a six-hour, accelerated class that will teach you Premiere Pro essentials like editing clips and audio, adding B-roll, animating images, and exporting final videos for a client or your own use. Noble Desktop also offers two intensive software bootcamps that prospective video editing professionals should consider, the Premiere Pro Bootcamp and the After Effects Bootcamp. Both bootcamps provide 18 hours of expert instruction designed to prepare students to professionally edit and add effects to video projects.