Patricia Virc knows first-hand the challenges of re-entering the workforce after taking seven years away from her law career to focus on her three young children.
After taking the ReConnect program through the Richard Ivey School of Business, she now is Legal Counsel at Echo Energy Canada Inc.
“Through ReConnect, I was able to bring myself up-to-date on key global issues, discover how new trends are changing business strategies and refresh my financial management, leadership, communication, and marketing skills,” says Virc. “The program will guide you and help you approach your job search in a strategic and practical way. It’s also a great opportunity to network.”
Like Virc, many highly-qualified women who take time away from their careers are finding it challenging to step back into the workforce with confidence.
And with Canada’s shrinking labour force in the coming decades – with the retirement of millions of baby boomers – it is these women who will be part of the solution.
“Inspiring women to reconnect with their chosen career path – or to explore a new professional path – positions them to support Canada’s long-term economic growth,” says Carol Stephenson, Dean of the Richard Ivey School of Business. “Reaching out to successful, yet overlooked, groups is crucial as Canadian companies struggle with an increasing talent gap sparked by the retirement of the baby boomers.”
As the program’s founding sponsor in 2008, CIBC provided $1 million over five years to fund the first executive development program in Canada specifically designed to help accomplished, professional women who have taken time away from the workforce re-enter at a leadership level.
Now in its third year, ReConnect takes place over seven intense days. The first five days take place from Oct. 4-8 at the Ivey, followed by the second module Nov. 1 and 2 in Toronto.
“We’ve been very pleased with the success of the graduates,” said Mary Heisz, Faculty Director, ReConnect. “It’s a privilege to work with and help fulfill the ambitions of women of this calibre.”
Candidates come from a range of fields, such as business, law, finance, accounting or not-for-profit and are motivated to reconnect with their careers after having taken a leave of absence to focus on other activities like raising their family, taking care of aging parents or pursuing their own business aspirations.
For more information and to apply online, visit www.reconnectyourcareer.com or call 1-800-948-8548.