01.13.26

Return-to-Work Programs Help Women in Finance Who Took Career Breaks

by: Cheryl Winokur Munk

Financial firms across Wall Street are using return-to-work programs to help women re-enter the industry after extended career breaks. Large institutions in major financial centers offer “returnships” that combine short-term paid roles with mentoring, training and networking, reducing the stigma of résumé gaps and easing transitions back into fast-changing workplaces. Fidelity Investments, for example, offers a six-month “Resume” program, which has helped participants rebuild confidence, refresh technical skills and secure full-time roles across different business lines. Participants say the structured support and peer networks make returning far less intimidating than applying directly for permanent jobs. Overall, these programs are becoming an important talent pipeline for big financial firms seeking experienced workers while promoting diversity and retention.

Read the full article on Barron's