If you’ve heard about the amazing prospects and exciting work associated with the tech industry, it’s never too late to switch careers. Tools like Springboard can help you reskill and begin a new future as a tech professional. This online learning platform helps students interested in reskilling to a career in tech. It also helps working professionals change careers by preparing for a new, exciting role in the tech field.
Below, we’re sharing everything you need to know about Springboard, including what it is, how it works, and what you can expect to learn from this platform.
What is Springboard?
Springboard offers certificate programs and bootcamps that don’t just provide you with a respected qualification: they include job training programs that help you understand what your new career will be like. The platform also helps you develop professional connections to help you find your first professional role when you change careers.
Springboard, founded in 2013, has quickly established itself as an innovative online education platform. It was named SlideRule and was designed as a reference source for online courses. As it gained popularity, it transitioned to its current 1:1 tuition style offering bespoke job training programs, and became Springboard.
Driven by its mission to bridge the skills gap and empower individuals to achieve their career goals, Springboard focuses on providing accessible and flexible learning opportunities. To achieve this vision, they offer a diverse range of courses that cater to various in-demand fields. One of the key strengths of Springboard is their comprehensive course catalog, which covers a wide array of subjects. From data science and machine learning to UX design and digital marketing, they offer programs to suit the diverse interests and goals of adult learners and non-traditional students. By choosing a program tailored to your needs, you can equip yourself with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in your chosen field.
Company Mission
The company states that its mission is “to transform 1 million lives through education by 2030.” It aims to do this with its commitment to helping individuals change careers by equipping them with the specialist knowledge, job training, and professional contacts they’ll need to succeed in popular tech industries.
Benefits of Learning Through Springboard’s Programs
Some key benefits of learning through Springboard’s programs include:
- Access anywhere, anytime. You don’t have to move to a new city or budget your time and money for a daily commute with Springboard. Instead, you can learn from the comfort of your own home on a schedule that suits you.
- Job guarantee. On many Springboard courses, the program offers a guarantee that you’ll have a job in this field within 6 months, or you’ll receive a refund.
- 1-to-1 instruction. Real industry experts teach lessons, and you’ll have access to real-time discussions with your tutors. This means you’ll have someone on hand to ask any questions and help guide you in reskilling as you get ready to change careers.
- Far cheaper than college degrees. A coding bootcamp is a fraction of the price of a college degree and takes only 6 months. This is compared to 1-2 years for a master’s degree.
- Financial aid & scholarships. Springboard offers financial aid in the form of staggered payment programs for its students. It also offers scholarships for women, military veterans looking to change careers, and current students as extra financial aid.
- Free resources. In addition to its paid programs, Springboard offers free learning resources as a taster. This can help give you a grounding in what a career in tech is like and which area you’d like to take further job training programs in.
Programs Offered
Springboard offers coding bootcamp programs and self-study resources to help you with reskilling. Here’s a breakdown of each, so you can determine which might be best for you.
Bootcamps
The mainstay of Springboard’s offering is its bootcamp programs. Bootcamps are intensive, short-term programs designed to rapidly equip students with in-demand skills. One of the main benefits of attending a bootcamp is the accelerated learning experience, which allows you to quickly gain practical knowledge and enter the job market with a competitive edge.
Springboard offers various bootcamps, each tailored to different fields. Some of their popular programs include Data Science, UX Design, Machine Learning Engineering, and Digital Marketing. These bootcamps have been carefully designed to meet the needs of adult learners and non-traditional students, combining the flexibility of online learning with the rigor of an immersive program.
Coding bootcamps cost a fraction of the price of a master’s program but give you far more insight into your future career path, whether this is in data science or as a web designer.
A key feature of Springboard’s bootcamps is their self-paced learning structure. This allows students to progress at their own speed, ensuring a comfortable learning experience that accommodates individual schedules. Furthermore, Springboard emphasizes the importance of mentorship and support, providing students with access to industry experts who guide them throughout the program.
Springboard’s bootcamps also focus on a project-based curriculum, where students apply their newly acquired skills to real-world scenarios. This hands-on approach not only reinforces learning but also enables students to build a portfolio of work that showcases their abilities to potential employers.
Lastly, Springboard is committed to helping their students find success beyond the classroom, offering career services such as resume reviews, interview coaching, and job placement assistance.These typically last for 6 months and are available for a range of careers in tech. Coding Bootcamp programs and bootcamps in other fields require 10-25 hours per week of time commitment, making them perfect for individuals looking to change careers while still working their current job.
At the end of this qualification, you will receive a certificate from a highly-respected provider. Note that one of the major investors in Springboard is Allen Blue, the co-founder of LinkedIn — so you know that you’re on a good path to career success.
Self-Study Programs
Springboard also offers free self-study programs to help provide a taster for professionals interested in reskilling to change careers. This option provides its own form of financial aid for job training programs: you can learn the ins and outs of a career in tech without paying a dime. It’s a great option if you’re considering how to move into a tech career path affordably.
Subjects Offered
Below are some key subjects offered by Springboard.
Data Science
The data science coding bootcamp teaches you about key programming languages such as Python, as well as the type of skills you’ll need to succeed in this burgeoning career path. It covers areas such as machine learning and statistical inference and is a great way to get started in a career in tech.
ML Engineering
Machine learning is one of the hottest fields in tech. Become part of this exciting landscape with the ML engineering bootcamp: it offers a full overview of the field and teaches key skills like deep learning.
Data Analysis
You’ll learn the tech skills that you’ll need to succeed as a data analyst in this certificate program, but that’s not all. You’ll also learn what a data analyst does within an organization and discover the business skills required to succeed in this field.
Web Designer
Becoming a web designer means having solid knowledge of UI/UX design. Springboard teaches both and provides you with a great framework to advance in this exciting career path.
Software Engineer
At the heart of every startup, there’s a software engineer (or a team) that makes everything come together. Springboard can help you on your path to becoming a software engineer by giving you the skills you need to analyze data, research, conduct testing, and work with others to develop a product.
Are There Pre-requisites You Need Prior to Enrolling?
There are no pre-requisites for enrolling in a Springboard course. All you need is an open attitude to learning and the commitment to see the course through. Given that these programs typically take 6 months and require a maximum of 25 hours of mandatory study per week, this is an achievable goal.
Cost to Enroll in a Springboard Program
The cost of a Springboard program is much less than other education pathways, such as a master’s degree, especially if you qualify for a scholarship.
You can find a full guide to Springboard pricing here.
Springboard Reviews
Before enrolling in a program, it’s essential to research and read reviews from past students. This ensures you have a comprehensive understanding of the learning experience and can make an informed decision about whether the program aligns with your goals and expectations. Springboard reviews often highlight various aspects of the platform, both positive and areas for improvement. Positive aspects commonly mentioned in Springboard reviews include the flexibility and convenience of the platform, the quality of the curriculum and mentorship, and the strong job placement and career support offered. However, some areas for improvement that have been noted include the cost and financial aid options, the time commitment and workload, and the technology and platform accessibility. To use reviews effectively in making an informed decision, consider your personal learning style and needs, assess the credibility of reviewers, and look for patterns and trends in the feedback. This will help you determine if the program is the right fit for you and whether it aligns with your education and career goals.
Tips for Success in a Springboard Program
Ensuring success in a Springboard program requires dedication and a strategic approach. One crucial aspect is effective time management and organization, which helps you balance your studies with other commitments. Additionally, take full advantage of the mentorship and support resources provided, as these can be invaluable in guiding you through the program. Building connections with your peers and alumni can enrich your learning experience and open up potential career opportunities. Make a conscious effort to network and engage with others in your field. It’s also important to set realistic expectations and goals for yourself, as this will help you stay focused and motivated throughout the program.
Finally, embrace the concept of continual learning and skill development. The rapidly evolving nature of today’s job market means that staying updated on industry trends and expanding your skillset is crucial to long-term success. By adopting these strategies, you can effectively navigate your Springboard program and lay the foundation for a rewarding career.
Conclusion
It’s never too late to change careers. Reskilling is as much a matter of attitude as it is a matter of means — but Springboard provides the means to transition to a career in tech in an affordable package.
Learn more about how Springboard can help you become a data analyst, a data science professional, a web designer, or whichever tech job has caught your eye by visiting the official website.