Re-entry internship worked out great

A paid internship is one way to a satisfying job for expat partners who want to return to work after their repatriation. It certainly worked for American financial expert Jenifer Kelley (38). She went back to her home country after a few years in the Netherlands with her husband, who worked for Heineken.

Long absence from workforce
Jenifer had worked for 12 years in private wealth management when she decided, in 2009, to take a break after her first child was born. Three years later, this break was extended when she went as an expat partner to the Netherlands.
In 2014, Jenifer and her family returned to the US, where she wanted to get back to work.

Special programmes
Jenifer was aware of the existence of special return to work programmes. “I Googled re-entry internships, and found a site called iRelaunch with a number of programmes offered by financial services companies.” Jenifer decided to apply to the 11-week Real Returns programme at Credit Suisse. “They offer the kind of financial services that I was already familiar with.”

Getting to know each other
How does a return to work internship work? Jenifer: “It is a paid internship, and it gives you the opportunity to demonstrate what you can do. The idea is that the employer can get to know you, and you get to know them.” After her 11-week internship, Jenifer had demonstrated her value to Credit Suisse, and was offered full employment.

Great way to get back to work
With that experience Jenifer is very enthusiastic about return to work internships. “There are a lot of very capable women who take a break for a few years and then want to work again. Return to work internships are now offered by some banks, but also in the legal community and in insurance. I think they are a great way to get back to work again.”

Henk Dam
Research & Consultancy Expat Partner Support
Global Connection

Adapted and edited from an original article, in Global Connection’s media for spouses (B2B subscription), on the subject of return to work.