Heres the Key to Re-Starting Your Career After a Break

Heres the Key to Re-Starting Your Career After a Break Returning to work after a career break can be intimidating, especially when the field youre returning to is characterized by constant change like technology and engineering. Perhaps thats why, out of the Thankfully, some companies like .With access to coaching, mentorship, and relevant work experience, participants in the first cohorts paid, 16-week program received no shortage of support. Just ask Karen Hooper, a Re-Empower grad who now works full-time at United Technologies as a project engineer.Re-entering the workforce in my field of study, and at a level that welches comparable to my work experience, was challenging, Hooper, whod worked over 15 years in the aerospace world before taking a break after the birth of zu sich twins, said. Many companies see career breaks as a negative and dont consider what an individual might have learned during that break to be of much value.This was a frustrating misconception to be so regula rly up against, she continued, considering she had spent her career break adding to her transferable skills in meaningful ways.In my mom role, I continued to manage budgets, schedules, and conflict, as well as identify priorities and work with all kinds of people to get tasks completed on time and within budget, she said. However, some think technology has passed us by, and that weve been out of work too long to catch up or learn anything new.United Technologies, however, saw the situation differently. After being hired into the Re-Empower cohort, Hooper was given the resources needed to ease her transition while enlisting the unique perspectives she brings to table.Our managers were hand-picked because of their reputations for being excellent managers, she explained. Peer and technical buddies were also identified, and I loved having a go-to person. It made me feel that I wasnt always bothering someone.Outside of United Technologies leaders, Hooper felt similarly supported by her c ohort members, as well, which consisted of five other women and two men (because, as Hooper noted, women arent the only ones who take career breaks).It can be a bit lonely starting a new position, especially when youve been out of the workforce for awhile, she said. You sometimes wonder if you can leise do this, and how youre going to balance work and home responsibilities. But the cohorts all rallied around each other and offered encouragement.Sixteen weeks, several learning experiences, and numerous words of encouragement later led to Hooper becoming part of the United Technologies family in a more permanent way she was made a full-time offer. As explained Jeff Anderson, a United Technologies manager, making the decision to hire Hooper from the Re-Empower cohort was truly a win-win for both parties.The organization has the opportunity to bring life-experienced personnel back into the positions they had experience in prior to leaving the corporate workforce, and the Re-Empower empl oyee is provided an easier transition and the best opportunity for success, he said.The process at United Technologies which, Anderson notes, is a company he loves for its culture of inclusion and family was also seamless. This is partially because the Re-Empower openings were designed to reflect true positions at the company meaning, the role a participant fills during the programs duration is the same role that could become a full-time position.The process was excellent and very well-organized, he said. I will continue to look to the Re-Empower Program for future resource needs.As for Hooper, she feels grateful to have landed among such a great group of people, with a very diversified workforce, and loves that she gets to use her brain again within a space she had years of school and work experience in.There will be a learning curve, but thats true of every new position so, go for it she said. You have a lot to give.Interested in re-joining the workforce in an environment youl l feel supported in? Check out today--Fairygodboss is proud to partner with UTC.