Springboard

I recently completed the UI/UX Design Career Track at Springboard, and I couldn’t be more pleased with my experience. The curriculum was comprehensive, covering essential topics and providing opportunities to dive deeper into specific interests. Seriously,... Read More I have a whole library of books I’ve ordered that I can’t wait to read thanks to recommendations in the curriculum!

Springboard’s mentorship program was really what stood out to me when I was looking into bootcamps, and it didn’t let me down. My mentors, Aida and Tatiana, were incredibly supportive and provided me with practical advice that helped me refine my skills and approach to design. Their friendly and empathetic approach made our interactions both enjoyable and productive, and I’m immensely grateful for their guidance.

Springboard’s support staff also played a crucial role in my success. They were exceptionally understanding and accommodating, especially when my twins were born prematurely during my course and had to remain in the NICU for some time. Springboard offered me multiple course extensions, allowing me to focus on my family without worrying about the additional costs of completing my certification. Their empathy and flexibility were invaluable, making a significant impact on my ability to succeed in the program.

As a result of the program and the Industry Design Project, I feel confident that I was able to build a robust portfolio and am hopeful it will help me find my dream job as a product designer. I really can’t recommend the Springboard UI/UX Design Career Track enough to anyone looking to transition into a design role.

I decided to take Springboard’s cybersecurity career track because of the quick 6-months to completion timeline and the job guarantee which you have to qualify for. After having finished the curriculum here are my thoughts:

Pros:

The support system: You... Read More get many different support outlets when you need help understanding concepts or projects. You are matched with a 1-on-1 mentor and career coaches that meet with you regularly to keep you accountable and help you achieve your career goals. The program very much teaches and instills the need to network in addition to learning. You also have a Slack channel to connect with students and peer mentors who are other Springboard alumni.

The credentials: When you graduate from the program you gain 30+ projects including a capstone to start creating a project portfolio along with the CompTIA Security+ certification which is very often listed in cybersecurity job descriptions.

Flexibility: In order to complete the bootcamp in 6 months, you need to dedicate at least 15-20 hours a week. They did offer me 2 months of free extensions once I completed 50% of the curriculum in a timely manner.

Cons:
Mentor punctuality: More than a handful of times my mentors would have to reschedule meetings or would not show up and give very little notice. They would, however, always make the effort to reschedule. I would chalk this up to the fact that the mentors in this program actually work in cybersecurity so I understand them having tough schedules to work around.

I think the Springboard Cybersecurity career track is a compelling bootcamp option because of its wholistic approach to helping you get into the industry backed with the safety and accountability of the job guarantee (or your money back).

From the very beginning, the enrollment process was smooth and straightforward. The user-friendly platform made it easy to navigate through courses, assignments, and additional resources. The course material was well-organized and up-to-date, reflecting... Read More the latest trends and knowledge in the field. One of the highlights of my experience was the instructors. They were knowledgeable, approachable, and always willing to provide assistance and feedback. The interactive nature of the classes, including discussion forums and live sessions, created a sense of community and allowed for meaningful interactions with both instructors and fellow students.

The curriculum was extensive and covered a wide range of topics. The datacamp exercises was quite detailed and helped to apply skills learnt in the curriculum. The capstone projects helped solidify my understanding of the data science methodology. The... Read More mentor and career coach sessions were extremely helpful and provided a lot of guidance throughout the curriculum. I would recommend this course to anyone interested in enhancing their data science skills.

My experience at Springboard was very fun and exciting. From the beginning until the end, I was always met with new and challenging content to work on. You are given a lot of tools and support to help you succeed. I recommend it to anyone looking to start... Read More their career as a Software Engineer

Pros:
Great mentors and career advisors. Good support on slack. Other students were great to work with. Good scholarships and price guarantee.

Cons:
Classes are taught with articles and videos from various sites so it can feel disjointed. Thought there... Read More would be video courses with a consistent teacher. Email correspondence can be slow. Student advisor was changed twice without letting me know. Sometimes got conflicting recommendations between mentors and graders. Curriculum feels outdated without any mention of AI or the current job market.

Springboard’s Cybersecurity Career Track was transformative. The comprehensive curriculum, hands-on projects, and 1-on-1 mentorship prepared me thoroughly for a cybersecurity career. The supportive community and career coaching boosted my confidence and... Read More job readiness.

**Pros:**
- Comprehensive curriculum
- Hands-on projects
- 1-on-1 mentorship
- Supportive community
- Effective career coaching

**Cons:**
None

If you are considering taking the Springboard UX Design Track boot camp, you will not be disappointed. I did a lot of research on boot camps through articles and reviews, and I talked to alums and current students before I decided to go with Springboard.... Read More The main thing that I wanted to get from the boot camp was a portfolio that I could apply to jobs with. The other incentive that stood out was the Industry design project, where they paired you with a real-world company to work on a project for four weeks. This is the real-world experience that companies look for when hiring.

The course was very intense for me because I had to juggle a full-time job, family, and a volunteer role during the curriculum. Thankfully, Springboard has tools to keep you on track in order to graduate. The hardest part for me was learning the research methods, which included a lot of reading and writing. The design part for me was not that difficult because of my background in graphic design. The only con is that some of the units had information and videos that were four years old or older. Although the basic UX principles are still applied, it would be great to have more up-to-date information. One of the pros is that you have a mentor you meet with weekly to ask questions and review assignments. Also, the UX Design track was affordable compared to other boot camps.

In conclusion, the Springboard UX Design Track boot camp is challenging and requires a time commitment. It's best suited for individuals who are truly dedicated to becoming UX Designers, enjoy tackling challenges, and thrive in problem-solving environments.

I recently completed the UI/UX design bootcamp with Springboard, and overall, it was a rewarding experience. Despite my background in design, I found the curriculum well-curated for both beginners and experienced individuals. The curriculum was comprehensive,... Read More covering everything from the fundamentals of design principles to the latest industry tools and trends. The online platform was user-friendly and well-organized, making it easy to access course materials and communicate with instructors and peers.

The hands-on projects were particularly enlightening, allowing me to apply new skills effectively. I especially enjoyed the Industrial Design Project with Springboard peer members; it boosted my confidence and helped me discover areas for improvement.

However, There were a few areas where I felt the program could improve. The pacing of some lessons felt rushed, taking more time than expected for me to fully grasp the concepts.

Overall, I highly recommend Springboard's UI/UX design bootcamp for anyone looking to break into the field or advance their skills. With a solid curriculum, hands-on projects, and supportive mentors, it provides a strong foundation for a career in UI/UX design.

The Springboard UX/UI Design Career Track offers a mixed experience for aspiring designers. While the mentorship component stands out as a significant highlight, providing personalized guidance and encouragement, the overall structure and content of the... Read More course leave much to be desired.

One major drawback is the lack of structured teaching for essential UX/UI tools like Figma. Students are expected to learn these programs on their own, which can be quite challenging without formal instruction or dedicated resources. This gap in the curriculum can hinder the learning process, especially for beginners who might struggle to navigate these complex tools independently.

The content of the course, though extensive, often feels disjointed and unorganized. The flow between topics lacks coherence, making it difficult to see the bigger picture and how different elements of UX/UI design integrate with each other. This scattershot approach can be frustrating and detract from the overall learning experience.

However, the industry design project included in the curriculum is a standout feature. This project provides practical, hands-on experience that is invaluable for students. Working on real-world problems helps to cement theoretical knowledge and develop a portfolio that can impress potential employers.

Despite these positives, the inconsistencies in content delivery and the lack of structured tool instruction ultimately impact the program’s effectiveness. The mentorship and practical projects are strong points, but they are not enough to fully compensate for the course’s shortcomings. Overall, I would rate the Springboard UX/UI Design Career Track a 6/10, reflecting a program with potential that requires significant improvements to better serve its students.