How Miriam Landed a Data Engineering Job with Springboard

After 15 years in education and school administration, Miriam Chait was ready to return to her original passion: technology. With a Computer Science degree but a long gap in technical work, she turned to Springboard’s Software Engineering Career Track to refresh her skills and re-enter the workforce. Miriam landed a fully remote Data Engineering role at Copeland – we caught up to learn more about her Springboard experience, how she navigated the job market in 2025, and how she’s using AI in data engineering today.

What were you up to before you decided to change careers?

I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and worked as an intern in tech for a couple of years, but then I pivoted to education. I spent about 15 years in teaching and administration, earning a Master’s degree in Special Education, and was even a Director of Admissions at my children’s school. Once my kids became more independent, I felt it was time to return to tech. But after such a long gap, I knew I needed a serious skills refresh, which led me to look into bootcamps.

Why did you choose Springboard specifically?

I did extensive research. I spoke to friends and family in the tech industry, including one friend who has worked at and hired engineers at Amazon and Google. I showed him a few bootcamps, and he strongly recommended Springboard because of its emphasis on data structures and algorithms – skills he said were essential for technical interviews and corporate work.

I wanted a bootcamp that would prepare me for the job market. Flexibility was also essential – I have kids and needed the program to fit into my schedule. I also liked that Springboard offered job support after graduation, including a job guarantee. That made their bootcamp stand out from other options.

What was the application and interview process like? Did you need prior experience?

Not at all! It was pretty straightforward. Even though I had studied computer science years ago, I was basically starting fresh. Springboard has two tracks: one for beginners and one for students with some experience. I initially tried the experienced track, but I felt lost, so they moved me into the beginner track, which worked out great.

What did a typical week look like for you as a student?

I work about 20 hours a week, sometimes more. As a mom, I appreciated how I could structure it around my life. Some days, I’d work four to five hours; other times, I’d do more at night after the kids went to bed. You need to be self-motivated. Springboard is flexible, but no one makes you log in at a specific time. They provide tools to stay on track, like progress dashboards and monthly completion goals, which helped me stay accountable.

I also appreciated the way the curriculum was organized. It wasn’t like buying a $30 online course – I could see the full curriculum laid out, broken down into sequential modules, sub-courses, and assignments. That made a big difference for me. Learning online can feel scattered, but Springboard’s clear and structured path helped keep me grounded and purposefully moving forward.

I invested a year to finish the program. I started around June and slowed down a bit toward the end – life got busy around April, and it took a few extra months to wrap everything up. Springboard’s flexibility allowed for that, which was a huge help.

Did the mentorship model work well for your learning style?

My mentor was Bhavya Bhustan. He helped me through the tougher parts of the curriculum, but due to time zone differences and the limited time slots – he was based in India – sometimes it was hard to get quick responses. However, Springboard offers on-demand mentors and student advisors, so I used those services when I needed more immediate help. The program could have been easier if I had access to one mentor throughout, but overall, the support system worked.

Can you tell us about your capstone projects?

Yes, we did two major capstones. I built a meal planner app using Python and Flask. Users could create profiles, search for recipes via API, and plan weekly meals. As a mom, this project resonated with my life! The second was an Airbnb clone using React and Node, where users could search for and book rentals. I felt accomplished by taking those projects from idea to final product and building a full stack project.

Did you have any concerns about entering the tech industry in the age of AI?

Yes, for sure. I was concerned about that. Around the time I started Springboard in 2023, there were many headlines about generative AI and whether it might replace software engineering jobs altogether. So, I asked friends and family in tech if this made sense as a career path.

I got mixed responses, but mostly positive ones. The general attitude was that AI is a tool that can help us be more efficient, not necessarily something that will replace us. The key is learning how to leverage it. And honestly, I’ve already seen that in my current role. We use AI to boost our productivity and solve problems more quickly. It’s part of the workflow now, but I don’t think AI will replace jobs across the board – at least not yet. For me, the right mindset was: learn how to use it well, and it can be a huge asset.

What tools and skills from Springboard are you using in your job now?

The back end tools were especially valuable – Python, PostgreSQL, and SQL have all come in handy. Even though I’m in a data engineering role now, the general understanding of software architecture and full stack development has helped me tremendously. Springboard gave me a solid base, and now I’m going deeper on the job.

How did Springboard support your job search?

One of the best parts was the career support. My coach, Donna, was terrific. She understood me, my background, and even my culture. She saw the bigger picture and gave me advice tailored to who I was and where I was in my journey. That made a huge difference.

When things were tough, I could say, “Donna, nothing is happening. What’s wrong with me?” And she’d be so encouraging. She kept reminding me that it was a tough market, that I had much to offer, and that once someone met me, they’d see that. She never made me feel like I was falling behind – just always helped me stay motivated and confident. That support meant everything during a long job search.

What was your job search like?

It was rough, honestly. I started in July 2024 and submitted hundreds of applications. I barely got any responses from cold applications. Eventually, I focused more on networking. That’s what paid off – I was at a family event and spoke to a friend who introduced me to a mutual friend working at Copeland. She passed my resume to the hiring manager, and that connection made all the difference.

You’re now a Data Engineer at Copeland – congratulations! How did you get this job?

I wasn’t even applying to data engineering roles. But when my friend sent me the job posting, she said there was enough overlap and encouraged me to apply. During the interviews, I was transparent about what I knew and didn’t. They were hiring for Python and SQL skills – both of which I had learned at Springboard – so they felt I was a good fit. It shows how valuable it is to be open to adjacent roles in tech.

I’m based in Florida, and the job is fully remote. We meet in person twice a year for conferences, but otherwise, it’s a remote-first role, which is perfect for my family.

What was the interview process like?

It started with a behavioral interview with the hiring manager. Then I received a take-home technical assessment. It wasn’t timed, and I was allowed to research and even use AI tools to help me understand parts of it. I recorded my responses and explained where I had to look things up. After that, we had a follow-up discussion to walk through my solutions. It was nerve-wracking, but also pretty humane. They knew I was a junior and were understanding.

Are you using AI in your job today?

Yes, I’m using it! AI helps me troubleshoot, understand new concepts, and boost my productivity when stuck. The key is learning to use AI as a support tool without relying on it to do everything for you.

What kinds of projects are you working on at Copeland?

Copeland works in refrigeration and HVAC – they manage refrigerated shipping containers, trucks, and even in-store freezer systems. So they collect a tremendous amount of sensor data, and that’s where data engineering comes in. We’re helping ensure that the data that flows from these systems is reliable and usable. I’m still learning, but I’ve been able to apply much of what I learned in Springboard, especially back end work.

Looking back, was Springboard worth it for you?

Absolutely. My salary increased significantly, and I don’t believe I could’ve made this pivot without Springboard’s structure and support! The program gave me the foundation to return to tech; I build on that daily.

What advice would you give to someone just starting Springboard?

Be proactive – reach out to your mentors, use the support tools, and don’t wait for help to come to you. The flexibility is fantastic, but you need to be self-motivated. And during the job search, focus on networking. That’s what makes the difference.

Find out more and read Springboard reviews on Course Report. This article was produced by the Course Report team in partnership with Springboard.