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Springboard vs Designlab

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While both organizations are entirely online, Springboard offers a broader selection of coding career tracks than DesignLab, which focuses predominantly on UI and UX design. Springboard courses last at least six months, and the work is self-paced. DesignLab courses last between 3-6 months, are self-paced, and require a minimum number of career coaching sessions, mentor meetings, and group crits (peer-to-peer feedback sessions). Both programs emphasize mentorship and offer tuition reimbursement if the program terms are met and employment is not secured. Springboard also has a deferred tuition program that lets students complete the bootcamp and finish tuition payments once hired.

Springboard Designlab
Overall Rating
Courses Front-End Web Development, Cyber Security Career Track, Data Analytics Career Track, Data Science Career Track, Data Science Career Track Prep, Introduction to Data Analytics, Software Engineering Foundations to Core, +6 more.
Tech Sales Career Track, Introduction to Design, Software Engineering Career Track, Software Engineering Career Track Prep Course, UX Career Track, UI/UX Design Career Track
UX Academy, Design 101, UI Design, UX Academy Foundations, UX Research & Strategy, UX: Interaction Design
Cost $490 - $8,500 $399 - $6,749
Location(s) Online Online

What is Springboard?

Springboard provides career-ready, online bootcamps in data science, design, and coding that can be completed part-time in less than a year. Springboard uses a project-based curriculum to help students build in-demand job skills. Students will learn from industry insiders and have the opportunity to build a professional network.

Highlights: Classes are online and asynchronous, so students work from anywhere at their own pace. Springboard provides its learners with extensive resources, including student advisors, personal mentors, career coaches, and networking opportunities. Peer advisors offer direct support while completing a course. Personal mentors hail from real software companies and can assist with ideas and goals. Career coaches help graduates with their job search strategy, such as resume building, interview practice, and pay negotiation tips while the online community connects current students with alumni and professional partners.

Financing/scholarship options: Students have payment options to match their needs. Tuition refunds and deferred tuition plans are available, though these options are contingent on terms and job placement. Scholarships are available for underrepresented populations to help diversify the tech industry.

What makes Springboard unique?

Springboard has free learning tutorials in UX Design, Python, digital marketing, SEO, mobile application development, and more. Springboard even hosts an annual conference for all community members to connect and learn best practices from one another.

Go to Springboard's full page

What is Designlab?

Designlab aspires to three main goals: providing affordable education, offering a challenging curriculum, and emphasizing mentorship and community. Designlab offers an intensive online program called UX Academy as well as shorter courses that teach design fundamentals, UX, and UI. Students are paired with professional designers who mentor and provide personalized feedback on their work.

Highlights: Interested students may enroll in either a full-time, 15-week program or a part-time, 28-week program. The full-time program requires 40 hours each week, career coaching sessions, two weekly mentor meetings, and group work. The part-time program is similar but provides more flexibility, with just 20 hours of coursework each week and one weekly mentoring session. Additionally, shorter, four-week courses are available, including Design 101, UI Design, UX Research and Strategy, and UX: Interaction Design.

Financing/scholarship options: Students may cancel within the first two weeks of any course and still receive a full refund. Graduates can access a tuition reimbursement guarantee, though it requires students to meet with career services consistently, pass a portfolio review, and complete several additional steps that help improve chances of employment.

What makes Designlab unique?

Graduates have successfully found employment with major tech companies, including Microsoft, Facebook, PayPal, and IBM. Designlab also offers free, seven-day courses in Photoshop, Figma, and Sketch.

Go to Designlab's full page

Springboard Reviews

    9/19/2023
  • Joe Anson Aquino | Data Scientist
  • Data Science Career Track
  • Graduated: 2023

Overall

Curriculum

Job Support

"Whoot.. whoot... Very challenging experience."

At first, I'am blown away! I don't know what to do, Thanks to my Mentor Sir AJ for sticking with me and guiding me through the course. Showing me the right direction when I felt it was a dead end. and also to Sir Shmuel for the advancement of Data Science.... Read More

    9/16/2023
  • Anonymous
  • Cyber Security Career Track
  • Graduated: 2023

Overall

Curriculum

Job Support

"Springboard Cybersecurity Career Track Program Review"

Overall, I had a great experience with the Springboard career track program. The Springboard staff (student advisor, mentor, and career coaches) was very supportive. The program is fast-paced with detailed course material. There were times when mini-projects... Read More

Designlab Reviews

    9/16/2023
  • Anonymous
  • UX Academy Foundations
  • Graduated: 2023

Overall

Curriculum

Job Support

"Quick and easy!"

This program really helped me learn the basics in a quick and efficient manner. The pro is that I could still work full time and complete the course. The cons were that it’s not 100% flexible as far as making your own schedule. You have a week by week... Read More

    9/16/2023
  • Anonymous
  • UX Academy Foundations
  • Graduated: 2023

Overall

Curriculum

Job Support

"My journey at Designlab has been rewarding and encouraging."

My experience has been quite positive so far. The curriculum is pretty concise and covers a lot of foundational design concepts. The mentorship was very satisfying. I attended all my mentor sessions and she was very helpful and knowledgeable. She challenged... Read More

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