Springboard

I started the program with some background in computer science so not everything I saw was brand new to me, but the program explained the majority of the concepts very well. There were many cybersecurity concepts that were brand new to me that were explained... Read More to me in a way that was easy to digest, and would be easily reviewable if necessary. You always have many options for support when you have questions in the form of advisors, a personal mentor, and many fellow students through the Slack app. The pacing of material is very do-able and will introduce you to a wide variety of concepts in cybersecurity so you do not need a technology background to begin this program. The concepts taught will help to prepare you to take the Security+ exam but are not enough by themselves, you will need a study guide from Mike Chapple/Professor Messer with some practice tests to check your own progress.

Overall, I'd recommend this program to someone looking to either break into the cybersecurity field or pivot from their current career to cybersecurity. The career coaches are a big help in preparing you and giving you a lot of suggestions and advice on how to sell yourself to potential employers and improve your portfolio as a whole. Without this program I wouldn't have been able to improve my network and networking skills nearly as much as I have now.

Springboard provides weekly mentor support which is very helpful, mentor helps in the project as well as help you grow in your field. Career guidance with some amazing checklists and highly experienced TAs help in guiding throughout the job hunting journey.... Read More

My Springboard Data Analytics Journey: Pros and Cons
Pros:

Comprehensive Curriculum: Springboard covers all key areas of data analytics, giving a solid foundation.
Flexibility: The program lets you learn at your own pace, which is great for busy people.... Read More
Mentorship: Industry professionals guide you through the course, providing valuable insights.
Real-World Projects: You work on practical projects that build your portfolio.
Career Services: They offer resume reviews, interview prep, and job placement help.
Job Guarantee Option: They provide a job guarantee, ensuring confidence in the program.

Cons:
Self-Discipline Required: You need to be motivated and disciplined to stay on track.
Variable Mentor Quality: Mentorship experiences can vary.
Limited Interaction: Online learning can feel isolating compared to a traditional classroom.
Unrealistic Time Allocation: The time allocated for projects and assignments can be unrealistic.

My Story
I am Amir Reza Nabipour, a freelance researcher and epidemiologist with over 10 years of experience. I have published numerous scientific papers in different journals. I recently graduated from the Springboard Data Analytics program.

I chose this program to improve my analytical skills for my work in public health. Despite my busy schedule, the flexible learning was perfect for me. The curriculum was comprehensive, covering everything from data cleaning to machine learning. The real-world projects helped me build a strong portfolio.
The mentorship was a highlight. My mentor, an industry professional, provided invaluable guidance. This, combined with the practical coursework, equipped me with the skills I needed.
I applied these skills to my Capstone 2 project on diabetes and stroke prediction. The hands-on experience and career services support have positioned me well for future opportunities. My story shows how a flexible, well-structured program like Springboard can significantly impact your career.

I love from how the course was set up to how helpful mentors were. Great experience! I just wish to knew about this program sooner so that I could have done it earlier. I really like that there will be career coach available for help even after I had... Read More finished the whole program for 6 moths.

Springboard's cybersecurity curriculum is a well-rounded blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice. Engaging video content complements in-depth readings, while practical labs solidify understanding. The platform offers ample resources, including... Read More practice exams and simulations, to prepare students for industry certifications like CompTIA Security+. Dedicated mentors, career coaches, and support staff provide continuous guidance throughout the learning journey.

This was one of the most extensive courses that I’ve taken with plenty of labs and coursework to go through with the support of the mentors and the coaches that push you to do better. I wish there was a more live way of meeting with the advisors, but... Read More apart from that the team does a good follow up with you to make sure that you are consistently hitting the goals on a weekly basis.

I did enjoy it , I think they did good job of pacing the material and also providing support from having your own mentor to offering office hours for questions. They give you a good amount of time to finish and everyone was very helpful and got back to... Read More me in a timely matter!

I recently completed the Springboard UX/UI Design course, and the journey has been quite eventful, with a mix of positive aspects and areas for improvement.

Pros:

Comprehensive Curriculum:
The Springboard UX/UI Design curriculum is well-structured and covers... Read More a wide range of essential topics. From foundational design principles to advanced UX research methods, the materials provided are thorough and relevant to current industry standards.

Flexibility:
The online format of the course allows for flexible learning, making it ideal for those with busy schedules or those who prefer self-paced study. This flexibility enabled me to balance my learning with other commitments effectively.

Career Services:
One of the standout features of Springboard is its career services. My career coach, in particular, has been incredibly supportive, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in my success. Their guidance post-completion has been instrumental in boosting my confidence and helping me navigate the job market.

Networking Opportunities:
Despite being an online course, I have found that my professional network has grown significantly. Interacting with peers and participating in community discussions has been invaluable in building connections within the design industry.

Understanding and Accommodation:
During the course, I faced a family emergency that required me to take a break for about six months. Springboard was very understanding and accommodating, allowing me the necessary time to handle personal matters and then return to complete my studies without any added pressure.

Cons:

Mentorship Experience:
My experience with mentorship was mixed. While my career coach was outstanding, my other mentor often provided feedback that felt scripted and rushed. There was a lack of genuine engagement and personalized advice, which was disappointing given the importance of mentorship in such a program.

Support and Engagement:
Overall support could be improved. The lack of in-person interaction sometimes made it difficult to fully grasp certain concepts or feel entirely confident in my skills. I believe that in-person classes would have greatly enhanced my learning experience and made me feel more assured in my abilities.

Industry Design Project (IDP):
For the price of the course, I believe that the Industry Design Project should be included for all students, regardless of whether they opt for the job guarantee. Completing the IDP after the coursework would have provided a more comprehensive and practical application of the skills learned, which I feel was a missed opportunity and should not exclude anyone from the job guarantee.

Job Guarantee Deadline:
The deadline for the job guarantee should not be before the coursework end date, especially if an extension is applied. It is unfair to expect students to meet job search deadlines while still completing their coursework.

Course Pricing:
Given that Springboard highlights their unique mentor support as a key feature of the program, I believe the course price should be significantly lower. My mentorship experience was not as noteworthy as advertised, which calls into question the value proposition of the current pricing.

Recommendation:

Overall, I would recommend the Springboard UX/UI Design course to individuals who are comfortable with online learning and are looking for a flexible program that fits their schedule. The curriculum is solid, and the career services can be incredibly beneficial if you connect with the right coach. However, if in-person learning is crucial for your educational style, you might find this course lacking in that aspect.

For those considering the course, weigh the pros and cons carefully. If the price tag is within your budget and you are an independent learner, this course can provide valuable skills and opportunities to advance your career in UX/UI design. However, be prepared for the possibility that mentorship and support might not always meet your expectations.

In conclusion, while there are areas for improvement, my journey with Springboard has been largely positive, and I am grateful for the growth and opportunities it has afforded me.

I didn't know anything about UI/UX design and have a totally different background but after enrolling in Springboard bootcamp I feel confident about my UI/UX skills and ready to start my future job! The mentoring system was really helpful and I love that... Read More after graduating I have access to career coaches.

Pros: sufficient support for disability related course timeline adjustments; able to switch mentors; industry project; helpful grading
Cons: left to wonder if readings before 2020 are outdated; community slack is useful but wish there were more regular/fun... Read More events