Before enrolling in a FinTech program, carefully consider the type of program that will best support your learning goals. This may mean enrolling in a beginner-level class, a certificate course, or a bootcamp. The type of program you choose should depend on how much time you can dedicate to attending classes and practicing, your budget, and how career-ready you need to be. This article will discuss FinTech bootcamps and aims to help those interested in learning FinTech understand how learning FinTech in a bootcamp differs from learning it in other types of classes.
What is FinTech?
FinTech, also known as Financial Technology, refers to financial services delivered and accessed through technology. This includes digital payments, cryptocurrency, and peer-to-peer (P2P) lending. It can also include the technology and concepts that go into financial planning and management. Learning FinTech means understanding financial concepts, gaining technological proficiency, practicing ethical and legal business practices according to the industry’s regulations, and understanding trends in FinTech.
What Can You Do with FinTech?
FinTech skills can help you launch a career in the FinTech industry. Within FinTech, you’ll find Data Scientists, Software Engineers, Financial Analysts, Product Managers, and even Customer Service Representatives. These roles make use of skills developed in FinTech classes such as financial modeling, data science and analysis, cybersecurity, and customer experience. As the FinTech industry continues to grow, companies are consistently seeking highly skilled candidates with specialized expertise that can help them innovate within a competitive market.
Why Learn FinTech in a Bootcamp?
You should consider the benefits and disadvantages of learning FinTech in a bootcamp before enrolling, compared to other available training programs. In a bootcamp, you’ll receive thorough training at an accelerated pace with potential access to career services. The accelerated training taking place in a FinTech bootcamp guarantees that you’ll advance your skills in a shorter amount of time than students in other programs do.
Bootcamps Compared to College Programs
Colleges and universities offer FinTech training as part of degree programs and continuing education programs. These programs often include training in areas beyond FinTech. It’s likely that learning FinTech through a college program will also involve studying other aspects of business administration or finance. These types of programs typically cover both the specifics of FinTech and broader business and finance concepts, unlike bootcamps.
College programs can last anywhere from one to six years—much longer than a bootcamp program. Due to their extended duration, college programs often cost significantly more. Tuition may total tens of thousands or even exceed $100,000 to earn a degree from a college program. This option is unaffordable and too time-consuming for many students. Working professionals looking to switch careers in particular may find it difficult to attend classes. This training option provides thorough knowledge of FinTech to students but is most accessible to those who can afford both the cost and time commitment.
Attending a bootcamp will save you time and money compared to a college program. FinTech bootcamps provide accelerated lessons at a more affordable price. Most bootcamps cost between $1,000 and $3,000 and may be scheduled on weekdays, evenings, or weekends. Unlike college programs, bootcamps frequently offer in-person and live online classes.
The accelerated pace of a FinTech bootcamp often results in fewer hands-on training opportunities compared to college degree programs. This can be challenging for students who need more practical experience with FinTech tools or those who prefer more extensive lessons. However, live FinTech bootcamps include access to an expert instructor who can answer questions and help students stay on track.
Bootcamps Compared to Introductory Classes
Introductory FinTech classes will help students learn the basics of FinTech without committing the time and money needed to attend a fully immersive course. Individuals who need to brush up on the basics or those looking to explore the world of FinTech before committing to a career change can attend an introductory class. Introductory classes provide a foundation in FinTech, covering topics from financial literacy to data management. Classes may take place over the course of one or several days.
An introductory FinTech class will help students understand the connection between finance and technology while also introducing them to concepts and skills they may need to use within the industry. Introductory classes focus on developing beginner-level skills, so students spend minimal time on career development. Intermediate and advanced-level classes often follow up on introductory courses. You can enroll in an in-person or live online introductory FinTech class. These classes cater to beginner-level students with no prior experience in FinTech through an easy-to-follow pace, unlike bootcamps, which provide accelerated lessons.
The accelerated and advanced nature of bootcamps means they cost more than introductory classes. An introductory FinTech class may cost several hundred dollars, whereas a FinTech bootcamp is likely to cost several thousand dollars. The bootcamp will take students further in terms of curriculum, but some schools offer follow-up classes to their introductory classes which, when taken in succession, cover a curriculum comparable to that of their bootcamp.
Bootcamps Compared to Self-Paced Classes
Self-paced FinTech classes provide students with a flexible form of learning. In contrast to college degree programs, self-paced class providers like Coursera or Skillshare offer courses at a low price under the expectation that students learn independently. This learning option allows students with busy schedules to study FinTech at a pace that suits them. These classes provide basic lessons in FinTech, and students are responsible for working through the content on their own, as they don’t have access to an instructor.
Self-paced classes typically cost significantly less than bootcamps. After enrolling in a self-paced class, students will receive instant access to course materials such as video lectures, exercises, and reading content. This method of learning—where students progress independently—helps keep costs low. The major drawback to self-paced classes is the absence of a live instructor. Without an instructor, there is no one to answer your questions about the material or provide personalized feedback. In addition, self-paced classes are updated less frequently than those taught live, so it’s important to research whether the content is current before enrolling.
For students too busy to attend a FinTech bootcamp, self-paced classes provide a workable alternative at an affordable price. However, most students report preferring live learning over self-paced learning. It’s easier to fall behind in courses that lack instructor support and a regular class schedule. Self-paced classes can be a useful way to explore your interest in FinTech before enrolling in a more immersive bootcamp.
Bootcamps Compared to Free Training Options
Students can explore free FinTech training options online. Training centers and industry experts may upload free tutorials on YouTube or similar video hosting platforms. These videos often cover the basics to help students get started learning FinTech or may provide troubleshooting tips. These same experts may also upload guides to FinTech concepts like data science or programming to online forums where learners can engage with each other and ask questions. Finally, students can turn to their local library to find books covering FinTech.
Free training is a great way to get started with programming, financial analysis, and data management. Plenty of videos and tutorials online can help students begin learning the basics of FinTech and develop a beginner-level understanding of the field. However, free training does not replace live instruction. Free resources are unlikely to go as in-depth as live training and typically lack the level of hands-on learning that live classes provide.
Free training also lacks live instruction, which many students benefit from. In live classes, students have access to an instructor who can answer questions and provide feedback. Without this, students must verify information for themselves and ensure that the free resources they choose provide accurate and reliable information. Like self-paced classes, free training requires students to stay motivated in ways that live training does not.
Turning to free training provides a solid foundation of knowledge in FinTech before enrolling in a class. Consider learning the basics of FinTech or exploring different aspects of the field with free training to decide which area you’d like to focus on before committing to and paying for live instruction.
Learn FinTech with Noble Desktop
Learn FinTech skills by enrolling in one of Noble Desktop’s FinTech programs. Noble Desktop offers most classes live online, where students learn under the guidance of an instructor via a web conferencing platform, as well as in-person at their Midtown Manhattan campus.
Noble’s FinTech Bootcamp is an interactive program that covers the essential skills required to launch 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 weekday schedule or a 4-month part-time evening and weekend schedule. 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 covering either Python or financial modeling.
Students pursuing or currently working in a finance-related profession who are 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 data via APIs for company and economic reports, 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, compare, and support financial decisions. In Noble Desktop’s Financial Modeling Bootcamp, you’ll learn essential financial and accounting concepts to help you develop 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. You can complete the program in 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. The course includes 114 hours of instruction plus six additional one-on-one mentoring sessions to support your success, where you’ll receive professional advice, detailed and personalized feedback, and map 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.
After completing Noble Desktop’s Data Science Bootcamp, you can enroll in AI for Python, a hands-on course that covers the development of AI apps. You’ll receive an introduction to AI using Python at a beginner and intermediate level. The course includes lessons to help you develop theoretical and practical knowledge to help you build a solid understanding of AI concepts, along with practical experience with Python libraries. This 30-hour class introduces you to ChatGPT, algorithms, and app deployment.