Returnships? Are they for you? Elaine Varelas Offers Insight
Elaine Varelas reviews the various options when reentering the workforce.
Q: I took time off to be with my children when they were young, and now that they’re in school, I want to return to work. A friend mentioned the idea of a “returnship” as an easier way to get back to work. I did a little research and found some mixed reviews of returnship programs. Should I do it?A:
The main point about internships and returnships, or externships, is that they need to be mutually beneficial. In a traditional internship, a student does work for a company in exchange for training, development, and a network of contacts—they typically get school credit and, in addition, often get paid. A returnship mimics this set-up but hires experienced professionals who have been out of the workforce for a significant amount of time and who feel they need more recent experience for a successful reentry. As you explore your options, make it a priority to find a solution that is mutually beneficial and be clear about the deliverables you are promised.
If you don’t believe you can reenter the workforce as you are (with a new resume, LinkedIn profile, and refreshed networking contacts), then be very specific about the skills you think need upgrading and the industries you want to research or learn more about. If a returnship program offers you the specific experience and knowledge you need to accelerate your career, then that’s great! The right returnship can provide you with practical, hands-on experience, great networking contacts, and maybe even a path to full-time employment at the company. Be wary of more general programs that lack direction and have a “get used to working again” approach to participants. These don’t offer the targeted value that most people returning to work need—namely, specific skills and industry knowledge. In this case, it would not be mutually beneficial; the company is getting free or low-cost, advanced professional labor with little return on investment for you.
Do a lot of research and ask plenty of questions about any returnship program you are considering. How many program participants got hired by the organization? What, specifically, is offered to participants? What does the time commitment look like? Is it paid or unpaid? If you’re doing professional level work, then you should be paid. It may not be at the same rate as someone who was doing the work yesterday, because there will be a learning curve for you, but it should be commensurate with your experience.
It’s worth noting that many of these programs have a gender-specific aspect and have been designed specifically for women returning to the workforce after having children, so pay equity can be a concern. This is why compensation for any work you do is important to consider when evaluating a program.
Before jumping into a returnship, consider some alternative ways to get your professional skills up to date. Can you take a class at a community college or volunteer at a non-profit? Volunteering allows you to develop a certain skillset without the constraints of a formal returnship program, which often has weeks or months of obligated time. Perhaps you can do project-based work for an organization that would offer the same networking or mentoring opportunities as a returnship for a shorter period of time. Don’t forget your former employers. They may have projects that you can do easily. Formal returnships do promise valuable networking relationships as part of the package, but so can other opportunities that aren’t as rigid or time-consuming for you. Your college or university may also offer return to work support for alumni, so tap into their resources for other ideas or part-time opportunities that would allow you to update your skills. Finding an option that maximizes your time is key, as you don’t want a returnship program to interfere with your ongoing career search.
Overall, be skeptical with programs like this and proceed carefully. Gather as much information as you can about the program requirements so you can weigh the costs and benefits as they relate to your specific situation.
