Springboard AI Bootcamp Alternative:
Skip the $10K Price Tag.

Springboard is designed for career changers with minimal technical background. If you already have programming experience, you will pay $10K or more for content that includes weeks of basics you already know. The 6-month cohort model means you cannot accelerate even when material is review. The curriculum is standardized for everyone, so it cannot adapt to your specific background, skills, or career goals. For experienced developers, this often means paying premium prices for a suboptimal learning experience.

Springboard costs $10K to $17K depending on the program and payment plan. Personalized 1:1 coaching typically runs $2K to $5K for 8-12 weeks of focused guidance. That is 70-80% less than Springboard. But cost alone is not the full picture. Factor in 6 months of Springboard versus 2-3 months of coaching. The faster timeline means you can start earning an AI salary sooner, which often more than offsets the investment.

Springboard programs typically run 6 months at cohort pace. With 1:1 coaching tailored to your existing skills, most experienced developers become job-ready in 8-12 weeks. That is half the time or less. The difference comes from skipping content you already know, focusing exclusively on your gaps, and moving at your own pace rather than waiting for a cohort schedule.

Springboard offers a job guarantee with specific conditions and requirements. Read the fine print carefully. The guarantee typically requires completing all coursework, applying to a minimum number of jobs per week, and being in specific geographic regions. Many learners do not qualify or find the requirements restrictive. Coaching focuses on making you genuinely hireable through practical skills and portfolio building, rather than relying on guarantee fine print.

Not necessarily. While some programming experience is helpful, many of my clients have successfully transitioned from web development, data science, or other technical backgrounds. We'll assess your current skills during our strategy call and create a personalized plan that meets you where you are.

Yes, but more personalized. Springboard offers standardized career services to all students. 1:1 coaching includes resume review, portfolio guidance, interview preparation, and job search strategy tailored specifically to your situation. You get direct feedback on your materials from someone who knows your background, rather than generic advice from a career services team managing hundreds of students.

Most clients invest 10-15 hours per week, but this can be flexible based on your schedule. We'll have weekly 1:1 calls plus time for you to work on projects and learning. The key is consistency. Regular, focused effort beats occasional marathons.

You become a member of the AI Native Engineer community, and you stay and keep going. Career transitions take different amounts of time for everyone, and I'm not going to abandon you if things take longer. You get ongoing support through good times and bad.

Online courses give you content. 1:1 coaching gives you a personalized roadmap, direct feedback on your work, career strategy, interview prep, and accountability. You get answers to your specific questions and guidance tailored to your unique situation instead of generic advice meant for everyone.

Investment details are discussed during the 30-minute strategy call, where we'll assess your goals and create a custom plan. The program is designed to pay for itself quickly through your increased salary. Most AI engineers see a 20-50% pay increase.

Absolutely. Most of my clients work full-time and make steady progress. We'll schedule calls at times that work for you and create a realistic plan that fits your schedule. Consistency matters more than intensity.

Springboard markets itself as self-paced within the 6-month window, but you are still following their predetermined curriculum at their pace. You cannot skip modules you already know or spend extra time on areas where you need more depth. True self-paced learning with coaching means the entire curriculum adapts to you. We assess your background first, then build a path that moves as fast or slow as you need.