Returning to the workforce after a career gap can feel daunting, but with the right opportunities, women can rebuild their careers and move forward with confidence. Internships provide a valuable stepping stone, offering hands-on experience, skill development, and networking opportunities. In recent years, more companies have recognized the value of hiring women who are re-entering the workforce and have tailored internships to support their unique needs.
Why Internships Are Crucial for Women with Career Gaps
Internships are an excellent way for women returning to the workforce to ease into the job market. They provide the necessary support and training, allow for skill development, and can serve as a bridge to permanent employment. Additionally, internships for women with career gaps are increasingly designed with flexibility in mind, helping individuals balance career aspirations with personal commitments. These internships enable women to:
Update and Hone Skills: Many women may feel that their skills are outdated after a career break. Internships allow them to catch up with the latest industry trends and develop new skills that make them competitive candidates in today’s job market.
Build Confidence: Stepping back into the workforce after a career break can be overwhelming. Internships help women build confidence as they ease into new roles, develop work relationships, and re-familiarize themselves with corporate culture. Network and Make Connections: Internships are an excellent way to meet industry professionals, find mentors, and expand a professional network. Building strong connections during an internship can lead to permanent job offers. Flexible Work Arrangements: Many of these internships offer flexible hours or remote work options, making them particularly appealing to women who may have family or other caregiving responsibilities. Gain Real-World Experience: Internships offer hands-on experience that can be more valuable than theoretical knowledge. Women participating in these internships will have the opportunity to work on real projects, showcasing their skills and competence. Ivy League Returnships are specialized programs offered by prestigious universities and companies to help women with career gaps return to work. These internships focus on upskilling women in leadership, technology, finance, and business management roles. They provide mentoring, a supportive network, and a flexible work environment. These programs are perfect for women who wish to re-enter high-level roles with a more structured framework, offering substantial career gap opportunities for women. Goldman Sachs' Returnship Program is a unique internship designed for women and men who have taken career breaks and wish to return to the finance industry. The program lasts for about 10-12 weeks and includes training, mentoring, and networking opportunities. With a focus on financial services, technology, and investment banking, this is one of the best internships for women after a career break who are interested in returning to a challenging and rewarding career in finance. Microsoft offers one of the most well-known flexible internships for women with career gaps. The company's Rebooting Careers Program is designed specifically for individuals who have taken a career break of two or more years. The program provides hands-on work experience and training in technology, software development, and project management. Microsoft’s commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures that women re-entering the workforce are welcomed and supported as they transition back into the corporate world. IBM’s Tech Re-Entry Program offers a unique internship opportunity for women returning to the workforce after a career gap. The program is designed for individuals who have been out of the workforce for at least a year and are interested in technology and innovation. Women participating in this internship receive comprehensive training in technical skills and get to work on real-life projects, making it one of the most sought-after career gap opportunities for women in the tech sector. Deloitte’s Reconnect Program is an internship tailored to individuals who have taken a career break of two or more years and wish to re-enter the professional services sector. This 16-week program focuses on offering flexible work arrangements, comprehensive training, and personal development to help women regain their confidence and develop the skills needed for success. The program’s adaptability makes it one of the top flexible internships for women with career gaps. Salesforce is committed to supporting women who have taken a career break and are looking to re-enter the workforce. Their Women Returners Program is a 16-week paid internship that offers mentoring, leadership training, and opportunities to work in different departments, including sales, marketing, and technology. This program is ideal for women seeking flexibility and opportunities for growth, making it one of the best internships for women after a career break. The Mom Project focuses on connecting women with career gaps, particularly mothers, to flexible internships for women with career gaps across a range of industries. This platform helps women re-enter the workforce through remote and flexible internship opportunities that can fit around family schedules. The internships cover areas like tech, marketing, product management, and design. This is a perfect option for women looking for a way to ease back into work while maintaining work-life balance. Citi’s Pathways Returnship Program is aimed at women who have had career gaps and are looking to restart their careers in finance, technology, and other corporate sectors. The program lasts 14 weeks and provides a comprehensive onboarding experience, training, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Citi emphasizes the flexibility of this program, making it a fantastic choice for women re-entering the workforce. Nestlé has developed a Re-entry Internship Program designed to help individuals who have had career breaks due to personal reasons, caregiving responsibilities, or other circumstances. This program focuses on providing women with opportunities in marketing, finance, and supply chain roles. It provides a structured return-to-work approach with flexible hours, offering career gap opportunities for women across various fields. It’s ideal for those looking for professional development in the food and beverage industry. SAP offers a Returnship Program aimed at women who have been out of the workforce for at least two years and wish to return to the tech field. This program provides a 16-week internship that includes mentorship, coaching, and practical work experience. SAP is known for its focus on diversity and inclusion, making this internship particularly beneficial for women who want to re-enter a highly dynamic and inclusive workplace. With opportunities in sales, development, and business management, this is an excellent option for those looking for career gap opportunities for women in the tech sector. Returning to the workforce after a career break can be challenging, but flexible internships for women with career gaps provide a structured and supportive way to transition back. The best internships for women after a career break offer opportunities in various fields, from technology and finance to marketing and business management, ensuring there is something for every woman looking to reignite her career. By taking advantage of these career gap opportunities for women, individuals can build confidence, gain valuable skills, and successfully return to the workforce with renewed energy and enthusiasm. Choosing the right internship program can make all the difference in regaining career momentum, and these top 10 internships are designed to help women succeed in their career re-entry journey.Best Internships for Women After a Career Break: Career Gap Opportunities and Flexible Options
Ivy League Returnships
Goldman Sachs Returnship Program
Returnship Program at Microsoft
IBM Tech Re-Entry Program
Deloitte Reconnect Program
Salesforce's Women Returners Program
The Mom Project Internships
Citi’s Pathways Returnship Program
Nestlé Re-entry Internship Program
SAP’s Returnship Program
Conclusion
Manoj Kumar
Digital Marketing Specialist
Kandra Digital
