Diversity and Inclusion
Returnship® Program
In the context of the war for talent, many employers are increasingly interested in bringing back successful employees - often women who left the workforce and put their careers on hold for a number of different reasons.
For those individuals it was the right decision to make at that time. But that does not mean they intended to end their careers. Goldman Sachs is committed to help facilitate the on-ramping process through our New Directions® conference and our Returnship® program.
In May 2006, Goldman Sachs launched the Goldman Sachs New Directions initiative to provide individuals who have "off-ramped" with guidance and coaching on how to make a successful transition back into the workforce. To further this mission, Goldman Sachs launched the Returnship program in the fall of 2008, with our Bangalore office becoming the most recent to roll out the initiative in 2012.
The Returnship program is a unique way for the firm to develop talented individuals who, after an extended absence from the workforce, are seeking to re-start their careers. Comparable to an internship, the Returnship program is a ten-week preparatory program that leverages the skills of on-rampers in the process of transitioning back into the workforce. In the same way that an internship offers a guided period of exploration during which interns cultivate the skills that will serve them in future careers, our Returnship program provides on-ramping individuals with an opportunity to sharpen their skills in a work environment that may have changed significantly since their last experience as an employee.
The Returnship program has been tailored to address many on-rampers’ concerns including their ability to transition into a new area of expertise and the perception that their extended absence from the workforce is an indication of reduced momentum or ability. In providing these individuals with an opportunity to strengthen their skills and demonstrate their capabilities, the program offers a window into the responsibilities and demands that may come with their new roles. Despite the down economy, Goldman Sachs was able to hire 50% of past program participants for positions in various divisions of the firm. Based on this success, the firm continues to run the program in the Americas and the program has even expanded globally, including the program launch this year in Bangalore.
Contact
For more information, please contact Goldman Sachs Returnship® Program