Empowering Stay-at-Home Moms: Navigating Returnship Programs Successfully
Returnship programs offer stay-at-home moms re-entry into the workforce. Here’s how to unlock their potential. Plus, find the best return to work programs for moms for 2025.
Source: Ketut Subiyanto
Understanding Returnship Programs for Stay at Home Moms
A returnship is a corporate program meant to ease mid-career professionals back into the workforce once they’re ready to end their career pauses. Think of these programs as internships–but without the free labor and coffee runs. Returnships are paid positions, offering industry standard salaries, and some may even include benefits. Additionally, people who land a coveted returnship role can typically expect to secure a full-time job within the same company.
Return to work programs for moms in 2025 range in length, but most last 3-4 months. During this time, returnees–or those who have been accepted into the program–can expect to gain job experience, as well as access to mentorship, skills training, and professional development opportunities.
While returnships are open to anyone looking to end an extended career break, they may be particularly beneficial for stay-at-home moms, many of whom find it challenging to resume their careers. Take for instance, a 2023 report from Indeed that found 73 percent of stay-at-home moms felt stigmatized during their job search for their decision to pause their careers.¹
Because you’ll need to have a career gap in order to apply for a returnship, there’s no need to disguise your time away from the workforce.
Nevermind that the skills women gain during their time spent leaning into family life are often the same qualities prized in the workplace. Skills like time management, creative problem solving, multitasking, budgeting, and people management are the dominion of mothers–and highly transferable to nearly any career.
Because you’ll need to have a career gap in order to apply for a returnship, there’s no need to disguise your time away from the workforce. “For the first time ever, you’re able to put your career break front and center on your resume,” says Dara Astmann, a career coach and a member of Mother Untitled’s Expert Directory.
In this way, these return to work programs for stay at home moms act as a judgment-free entry point for women looking to return to work after a career pause for family.
Meet the Expert
Dara Astmann: Career coach and member of Mother Untitled’s Expert Directory.
The Benefits of Returnships: A Gateway to the Workforce
No matter how long your career has been on pause, getting back into the workforce can be a daunting process. Historically, some hiring managers have frowned upon resume gaps (a judgment we’re confident will soon be passe). What’s more, you may feel like your technical know-how has gotten rusty during your time away.
Here’s where a returnship can be particularly beneficial, says Astmann. When you land a role in one of these programs, you gain access to a host of skill-building resources to help you bridge the gap and up-level your skills, she notes.
Depending on the returnship program you choose, you’ll likely find the following benefits:
Personalized mentorship to support you in your transition back to paid work
A cohort of returnees who can share in your experience
Guidance and skills-training to bring you up to speed in your field
Job experience to further advance your career
And for many, a full-time job once your returnship ends
When it comes to getting back into the workforce, a returnship can offer much more than a salary. In these programs, you’ll find guidance, support, professional development, and skill-building that will benefit you long after your returnship is complete.
Source: Alexander Suhorucov
Getting Started: How to Find a Returnship in 2025
Returnship programs are highly competitive, says Astmann. “The most successful people in these programs are the ones who have had experience in that role before they pause,” she adds, noting that returnships are not the best avenue back to work for women looking for a career pivot. “You’re going to be applying against people who have already had experience in that field.”
Where to Look for a Returnship
While many companies like Google, JP Morgan Chase, HubSpot, Boeing, and Amazon hire directly for their in-house returnship roles, you may consider working with a full-service returnship firm, which would give you access to a broader range of job opportunities. These organizations typically offer guidance and support throughout the entire process, including mentorship, career coaching, resume help, job listings, and more.
To get you started, check out these organizations:
Path Forward: A national nonprofit specializing in returnship opportunities for caregivers rejoining the paid workforce.
iRelaunch: The first career re-entry program, founded in 2011. This company partners with employers and individuals to offer a full-service experience and ease professionals back to work.
reacHIRE: An organization that works with corporations to create returnship programs from the ground up. This company also offers a directory of job opportunities for returners.
ReBoot Accel: ReBoot Accel gives women access to skills training and job placement programs to ease their return to the workforce.
Eligibility Requirements for Returnship Programs
“Returnship programs are competitive because there are so many women at home who are looking to return to work, especially post Covid,” says Astmann. She adds that the standard returnship is geared towards mid-career professionals who have at least five years of relevant experience, and a resume gap that is at least two years long.
These programs fill up quickly, so don’t drag your feet on applying when an opportunity catches your eye–even if you feel like your skills fall short of the requirements. We’ve all heard the claim that women only apply for jobs when they’re sure they meet 100 percent of the qualifications, whereas men apply as long as they meet about 60 percent of them.
The skills and experience you gain during your career pause are every bit as valuable as those you learn while employed.
For stay at home mothers getting back to work, this confidence gap may feel like a chasm. But the skills and experience you gain during your career pause are every bit as valuable as those you learn while employed. As Astmann notes, these skills are “proof that just because you aren’t paid, doesn’t mean that you haven’t had the experience that can make you a better employee.”
But landing a returnship role is about more than crafting a standout resume. Astmann says the confidence you bring to the experience matters, too. “That voice in your head, the imposter syndrome, can negatively affect your interviews if you let it,” she says, adding that going into the hiring process believing you’re the best candidate for the job can make all the difference.
References:
Report: 93% of Stay at Home Moms Have Experienced or Anticipate Experiencing Challenges When Reentering the Workforce. Indeed.com. Accessed 1/29/2024.
