Programs for those on career break interested in returning to work have been introduced at such a rapid rate over the last few years that we thought it would be useful to identify them all and put them in one place. Therefore, we are proud to announce the iRelaunch Comprehensive List of Career Re-entry Programs Worldwide offered by employers, universities, foundations and other organizations.
We have identified 57 programs so far. Only nine of these programs, or 16%, existed prior to 2004. This explosion of career re-entry programming represents a more than 530% increase since 2003. Last week was a notable one in the career re-entry world, as Sara Lee Corporation and Bank of America both announced programs, and American University’s Washington College of Law Lawyer Re-entry Program held its opening session. Employer and university programming designed to recruit and/or retool and focus on the pool of talent on career break is expanding in the face of a troubled economy, indicating companies are looking beyond the current crisis to their longer-term hiring needs.
Programs have been created in every conceivable schedule configuration, from those focused on three- to six-month internships (Goldman Sachs, Sara Lee, PACE Law School, MIT), to intensive, residential, multi-day programs (Harvard Business School, Tuck School of Business), to extended leave programs for up to five years for current employees (Deloitte, IBM, Eli Lilly, Skadden).
A sampling of programs follows. In order to see the
complete list, please visit www.iRelaunch.com and click on the
link under the heading “iRelaunch's Comprehensive List of
Career Re-entry Programs
Worldwide.”
Samples from the list:
University Programs:
1) Bentley College , Waltham , MA
More Opportunities for Mom (MOM): Helping Women Professionally Refocus, Reinvent, Reconnect
https://community.bentley.edu/olc/pub/BTT/events/event_order.cgi?tmpl=events&event=2211420
4 sessions over 8 weeks, $275.2) Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford , CA
What’s Next – A Career Re-entry and Development Series
https://alumni.gsb.stanford.edu/career/events/career092407.html
7 weekly sessions, $695.
Employer Programs: (all no charge unless indicated)
1) Honeywell International, Inc. (with
Society of Women Engineers), Phoenix, AZ; Minneapolis, MN;
Des Plaines, IL: Torrance, CA; Baton Rouge, LA; Houston, TX; or
Morristown, NJ.
Honeywell Initiative for Returning Engineers (HIRE)
https://honeywell.taleo.net/careersection/9/hon_opportunity/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&job=00097931
Employment opportunity with mentoring, Society of Women Engineers conference, coursework
2) Sara Lee Corporation, Downers Grove,
IL
Returnships @ Sara Lee
http://www.saralee.com/WorkingAtSaraLee/ReturnshipProgram.aspx
Ten to twelve 4-6 month paid internships at Sara Lee’s Downers Grove, IL headquarters in accounting, finance, legal, brand management and other departments for those out of the workforce at least one year. First class being recruited now; will repeat in 2009.
Government Agency and Professional Association
Programs:
1) American Bar Association, New York City
Back to Business Law
http://www.abanet.org/dch/committee.cfm?com=CL999500
Continuing legal ed and informal networking opportunities for attorneys on leave, monthly speakers series at NYC law firms2) National Institutes of Health (NIH),
nationwide
Re-entry grants for those returning to biomedical or behavioral research careers
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-04-126.html
Up to 3 years support for those returning from a 1-8 year career break. Must attach to existing NIH grant.
Please help us keep the list accurate and current. If you have any additions or corrections, please contact us at info@iRelaunch.com. Thank you.
Photo credit: http://www.in.gov/idoc/images/reentry_widget_rdax_100.jpg
Carol Fishman Cohen and Vivian Steir Rabin are the co-authors of the acclaimed career reentry book Back on the Career Track: A Guide for Stay-at-Home Moms Who Want to Return to Work, and the co-founders of iRelaunch, a company providing career reentry programming, events, and information to employers, universities, organizations and to mid-career professionals in all stages of career break.
For more information on Relaunching, see iRelaunch and check out Back on the Career Track. Carol and Vivian can be reached at info@iRelaunch.com.
Attention Washington D.C. area residents! Register for the Career Relaunch Forum, our one day return to work conference November 12, 2008 at George Washington University.Carol Fishman Cohen Vivian Steir Rabin
