How Returnships Help Moms Rebuild Confidence and Experience

If you've been away from the workforce for a few years, the idea of returning can feel intimidating.  You may be wondering:

• Has too much changed?
• Will employers see my career gap as a problem?
• How do I get experience if no one will give me a chance?

That's where returnships come in.

What Is a Returnship?

A returnship is a short-term professional program designed for people who have taken an extended break from their careers and want to return to work.  Think of it as an internship but for people returning to the workforce like SAHMs (Stay At Home Moms) or veterans.

Most returnships last anywhere from a few weeks to several months and provide hands-on work experience, training, mentorship, and the opportunity to rebuild confidence in a professional setting. Many returnships can also lead to permanent employment.

They're designed to help people bridge the gap between where they've been and where they want to go next.

Why Returnships Are Great for Mothers

1. A Chance to Ease Back In

Returning to work doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing decision. A returnship allows you to test the waters, learn new systems and technologies, and get comfortable in a professional environment again without the pressure of immediately stepping into a permanent role.

2. An Opportunity to Build Confidence 

One of the biggest challenges many mothers face isn't a lack of ability--it's a lack of confidence. After years away from a traditional workplace, it's easy to question yourself.  A returnship helps remind you that your skills are still valuable and that you're capable of contributing in meaningful ways.

3. Real Experience for Your Resume

Many mothers worry about explaining a career gap. A returnship provides recent professional experience, new accomplishments, and updated skills that can strengthen your resume and make future job searches easier.

4. A Supportive Learning Environment 

Unlike traditional jobs where you're expected to know everything on day one, returnships are designed with learning in mind.  Companies understand that participants are transitioning back into the workforce and often provide mentorship, training, and additional support.

Why Companies Love Returnships Too

Returnships aren't just good for participants, they're also good for employers.  Companies are discovering that professionals returning to work bring a unique combination of experience, maturity, adaptability, and problem-solving skills.

Many mothers have spent years managing schedules, coordinating priorities, handling unexpected challenges, and communicating with a wide range of people. Those skills translate well into the workplace.

Returnships also help companies:

• Access experienced talent they might otherwise overlook
• Increase diversity of thought and experience
• Improve employee retention
• Fill skill gaps
• Build stronger, more inclusive teams

Is a Returnship Right for You? 

A returnship may be a great fit if:

• You've taken a career break and want to return to work
• You're unsure where to start
• You want recent experience on your resume
• You're interested in learning new skills
• You'd like a supportive environment while transitioning back into the workforce

You don't have to have everything figured out before taking the next step.

Where to Start

Two places worth bookmarking today:

Path Forward (pathforward.org) — a nonprofit that runs returnship programs at companies like Amazon, Oracle, and Stripe. New cohorts open a few times a year.

iRelaunch (irelaunch.com) — the most comprehensive database of return-to-work programs. They've been tracking these since 2011.

If you live in Utah, Return Utah is a great resource and has their annual Return-to-Work Network Night on June 18.  Register here.

The years you've spent raising a family, managing a household, supporting others, and navigating life's challenges have helped shape valuable skills that employers need.  A returnship isn't about starting over, it's about building on everything you've already learned and creating a pathway toward what's next.

And sometimes, all it takes is one opportunity to remind you of what you're capable of.

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