Bronnen voor werkloosheid verdwenen, maar uiteindelijk heb ik een baan gevonden die ik verheerlijkt
Renu Amin, a 40-year-old mechanical engineer, has made a remarkable comeback to her career after a decade-long break to raise her son, Dominic. Born in 2009, Dominic is now attending high school in England, where the family moved in 2020 due to Renu's husband's job.
Before taking a career break, Renu worked as a Piping and Machinery designer in a shipyard near her hometown in Gujurat, India. However, upon returning to the job market, she faced challenges securing an engineering job. Despite applying for positions for a year without success, Renu took on jobs for which she was over-qualified just to get back into the workplace.
Renu's fortunes changed when she found a potential opportunity through the Women's Engineering Society's STEM Returners program. She was accepted by a local engineering firm called Aquilar Nuclear, where she started with an entry-level post in September 2022. Since then, her role at Aquilar Nuclear has grown every year, and she has been promoted to a Mechanical Design Engineer.
Renu's story might inspire others who are struggling to overcome the 'career break curse'. Her success is a testament to the power of determination and the support provided by returnship programs. These programs offer paid work, mentoring, networking, and flexible structures to help women like Renu reintegrate into the workplace.
There are several structured programs designed to support women returning to engineering careers after a long break, often called "returnship" or "return to work" programs. These include virtual cohorts, paid placements, mentoring, and tailored career support.
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Return to Work Program is a virtual, cohort-based experience specifically for women in STEM who have taken a break of one year or more and want to re-enter the workforce. STEM Returners offers live programs primarily in the UK, providing paid placements, mentoring, and career support for those returning to STEM fields.
Tech companies like Asana also have dedicated returnship programs for parents and caregivers who paused their careers. JPMorgan Chase runs ReEntry Programs targeting experienced professionals who have been on a break for two or more years and aim to return to full-time employment.
Beyond formal programs, addressing retention and workplace culture issues—such as flexibility, representation, and leadership opportunities—is critical to support women returning to engineering careers. These factors often influence career breaks and the decision to re-enter STEM fields.
Renu feels fortunate to have found the STEM Returners program, which helped her secure a new career. She continues to push and develop herself at Aquilar Nuclear and is nearly finishing her Master of Science qualification. Renu has also been elected a member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, the first person to gain such recognition at Aquilar.
Renu's story serves as a beacon of hope for many women who are considering a return to engineering after a career break. Her perseverance and the support she received from returnship programs have enabled her to reclaim her place in the engineering industry.
- Renu Amin, now a Mechanical Design Engineer at Aquilar Nuclear, made a successful career comeback after raising her son Dominic.
- Despite facing challenges securing an engineering job upon her return, Renu took on jobs for which she was over-qualified to get back into the workplace.
- Renu's fortunes changed when she found the Women's Engineering Society's STEM Returners program, leading to her current role at Aquilar Nuclear.
- The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Return to Work Program and STEM Returners offer virtual cohorts, paid placements, mentoring, and tailored career support to women in STEM.
- Beyond formal programs, addressing retention and workplace culture issues like flexibility, representation, and leadership opportunities is crucial to support women returning to engineering careers.
- Tech companies like Asana and JPMorgan Chase have dedicated returnship programs for parents and caregivers, helping individuals pause their careers re-enter the workforce.
- Renu, with her Master of Science qualification and election as a member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, is a shining example of a woman reclaiming her place in the engineering industry after a career break.
