A Closer Look at Springboard’s Team of Career Coaches

In 2021, adults over the age of 25 made up approximately 40 percent of enrollees in US higher education. This number represents about eight million learners, who according to the American Council on Education, often juggle full-time jobs and family responsibilities while completing coursework part-time. They take on this challenging task to attain more competitive credentials, leading them to broadened career options. 

The same research suggests that learning institutions need specific programs and services that support adult learners. An example of such programs is career services, including career advising. 

Career services can help learners identify their long-term goals, ensure that the coursework aligns with their professional goals, and prepare learners to be competitive in the job market. Adult learners, in particular, benefit from a career-oriented targeted approach when it comes to landing new jobs and starting a different career.

Springboard is an online learning bootcamp offering career-focused programs that prepare adult learners for in-demand tech roles. Aside from ensuring that its curriculum equips students with employable skills, Springboard also recognizes the pivotal role its Career Services team plays in the success of its students.

Meet Springboard’s Career Coaches

Springboard understands that learners, often busy balancing learning with other responsibilities, need as much support as possible to help them transition to a new career or level up their skillset. Aside from Springboard mentors and student advisors, students have access to a personal career coach. 

Working closely with a career coach is an integral part of the Springboard experience. From the beginning of a learner’s time at Springboard, a personal career coach is on board to help the student prepare for their job search—from resume development to networking, all the way to salary negotiation. We spoke to a few of Springboard’s coaches to gain insight into what sets Springboard’s career coaching apart.  

Elizabeth Hurwitz: A Student’s Success Is a Career Coach’s Success

Elizabeth Hurwitz is a Career Coach for Springboard’s UI/UX Design program. She believes career services are essential in a student’s learning experience. “Students need to know how to navigate the job search process properly. Simply learning the technical skills associated with the job alone will not guarantee you a job. It takes real-world knowledge of today’s job market, strategy, and stamina,” she said.

Springboard offers career services to all students which extend to specific modules that focus on career coaching. “Career coaching and career modules are basically the career curriculum that is used in tandem with the technical curriculum. It’s an interactive, curated curriculum that is meant to outline how to prepare for the job search journey from Step A to Step Z. 

“In order to make the curriculum more engaging, students book career coaching calls when reaching the end of certain modules to discuss and reflect upon what they learned,” Elizabeth explained.

Springboard’s robust career curriculum is designed to help students maneuver the various stages of career growth. “Many students are often surprised to have guidance on salary negotiation tactics, for example. In addition, career services are offered from the start of the course and continue throughout the job hunting journey. This career support from the beginning is crucial in creating successful student outcomes,” she continued.

At Springboard, a student’s success is very much a career coach’s success, too. Elizabeth said she has gone through this shared experience with many students and each time, it never fails to bring joy. 

Citing an example, Elizabeth said, “I was working with a student who had no self-confidence and was very worried he was not going to get a job offer. He has all of the skills, but he did not believe in his capabilities.” 

“We worked on identifying and clarifying his strengths as they relate to the job. We then built story arcs around the strengths and practiced articulating them in mock interview settings. Three months later, after weekly job coaching sessions, he ended up entertaining two job offers! It was a joy to see his confidence boosted and an understanding that he has so much value to contribute to society!” Elizabeth happily shared.

Michael John Foote: Career Services Can Make the Difference in Landing a Job 

One thing that students can count on is Springboard’s consistent one-on-one support, Michael John Foote, another career coach who is also a technical recruiter, said. 

“We guide students on their personal job search strategy, based on their background, skills, and career objectives. We also review and provide feedback on each student’s resume, LinkedIn profile, and portfolio. Lastly, we coach students on networking and job search best practices.”

Research shows that having access to career services is essential for adult learners, and Michael agrees that it can make a difference in landing a job. “Providing students with information is great, but consistently providing that information from multiple sources, and allowing students to ask questions is where the learning truly takes place.” 

“In many cases, students just need someone to speak with them and encourage them. It takes a lot of grit and determination to pivot careers or upskill while they are working full time. Having someone they can call is often the difference between success and failure,” Michael shared.

While career services are not unique to Springboard, Michael said he is impressed by the way Springboard “treats each student with an incredible amount of respect and care”. He added, “I feel like Springboard does a good job at hiring coaches who truly care about helping people.”

When asked about his favorite part of the job, Michael said, “That moment when a student lands their dream job, oftentimes making more than they have ever made in their life. You know at that moment that Springboard’s team helped them achieve something that will, without a doubt, change their lives for the better.”

For students, he has this to say: “You are not alone. Springboard has built an ecosystem that supports you at every stage of your journey.” 

Jan Toor: Career Coaches Are Your Accountability Partners During Your Job Search

Jan Toor is a Springboard career coach and also a senior talent acquisition leader. She said for many students, this is their opportunity to receive professional career coaching, which can have positive impacts on their careers. 

“Career coaching enables students to set new short-term and long-term goals and put a strategy in place on how to market themselves to identify the next step in their career.  We assist them in representing themselves in the best way possible on LinkedIn and their resume. This is an invaluable service that is included in the Springboard program,” Jan said.

Passion is another aspect that sets Springboard career coaches apart. “We are a passionate group of professionals who really care about our students! We offer in-course coaching and six months of post-completion coaching. Coaches are with our students during their entire job search. Our goal is to prepare them to be ready for the job search and are their accountability partner during their search,” she explained.

As a career coach, Jan has helped Springboard students reach their goals, which gives her a sense of fulfillment as well. 

“I had an older student who had been out of the workforce for many years. Although he was a diligent student, he was questioning his ability to find a new job and be successful. We worked together for many months, increasing his confidence, adding to his skill set, finding viable networking opportunities, and perfecting his interviewing skills. He found a great job as a Data Analyst that was a perfect fit for him. He is thriving, and I couldn’t be happier for his success,” Jan also shared.

Get the Job Search Support You Need

Elizabeth, Michael, and Jan are just a few examples of Springboard’s dedicated career coaches. They offer their time, guidance, and effort to ensure that all Springboard students have the support they need to meet their professional goals. 

Even from Day 1 of their Springboard program, students are given the necessary technical and soft skills to land a fulfilling job after completing their program. From helping students sharpen their portfolios to how they should position themselves to employers, Springboard career coaches are equipped and ready to help.

If working with a personal career coach sounds appealing to you, check out Springboard today to learn more about its course in cybersecurity, data science, software engineering, and UI/UX design.