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Back to Work

Back to Work is a specialized career development program for women who are returning to the labour market after an extended period of absence.

About the program

Participants gain practical insights on business culture, hiring practices, leadership and career goal-setting to increase confidence and resiliency.

You will make connections with Executives, HR Professionals, Instructors, Coaches and Mentors who will provide you with real-life support and advice.

You will have the opportunity this fall to meet and connect with successful alumnae of the program who are passionate about supporting women like you, ready to relaunch their careers.

Our engaged partners TD, EllisDon, Accenture, Kuehne+Nagel and Canso Investment Counsel are interested in hiring women from this program.


Hear from our Back to Work alumnae:

Photo of Chinyere Johnson

Chinyere Johnson
Deloitte
Back to Work Digital Graduate 2021


Photo of Jennifer Kravis

Jennifer Kravis
BMO
Back to Work Digital Graduate 2021

 


Inspired by their stories and ready to relaunch your career? Connect with us to see how we can help you.*

Ready to relaunch your career?


Registrations for the upcoming program has closed.

Have pressing questions and want more information?


Email us!

 

* For women with at least a university/college degree and 5 years of work experience who are planning to return to their career after an absence of more than 6 months.



How Back to Work helps women re-enter the workforce

Learn more about Lenora's Journey >

 

Program dates and details

Program Dates

October - December 2023, followed by Facilitated Peer Coaching Sessions from January - March 2024. 

The sessions with be held in-person at the Rotman School of Management (times will vary).

Dates Themes
 

     

  • Pre-Program:

  • Preprogram networking session
  • Module 1: October 10 - 13, 2023

  • *Welcome and overview
  • Alumni panel
  • CliftonStrengths
  • Your personal brand redefined
  • Resume building
  • LinkedIn profile & use
  • Recruiting and hiring trends panel
  • Intra Module: 

  • Sponsor company info sessions
  • Resume coaching
  • Module 2: November 6 - 10, 2023

  • Making your case: Effective presentations and communications
  • Working in teams
  • Virtual presence
  • Conducting informational interviews
  • LinkedIn usage
  • Intra Module: 

  • Group project work
  • Project presentations
  • Sponsor company events
  • Alumni networking session
  • Module 3: December 6 - 7, 2023

  • Behavioral interviewing
  • Negotiating
  • Facilitated peer coaching introductions
  • First 100 days
  • Super connections
  • *Wrap-up & graduation
  • Post Program: January - March 2024

  • Peer Facilitated Coaching

Who should attend

Who Should Attend

To participate in the Back to Work Program, candidates must have:

  • 5+ years professional work experience
  • Been absent from the paid workforce for more than 6 months
  • Proven business acumen and relationship-building skills
  • Potential for employability in the corporate sector
  • University Degree or College Diploma
  • Flexibility, adaptability, self-starter with sound judgment and learning agility
  • The ability to work independently with effective time management, and verbal and written communication skills

Applicant Selection

Eligible applicants will be invited for a 20-minute in-person or online video interview. Each application is reviewed by Rotman’s admissions committee to ensure suitability of participants.  Admissions preference will be given to women with undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees and professional designations.

Participant Notification

Applicants are reviewed on a rolling admission basis. The application process will close once the program is full. If space is available and eligibility requirements are met, participants will receive a request for an interview within 10 days of their completed application.   

Faculty and Instructors

Academic Director, Dr. Beatrix Dart, professor of strategy at the Rotman School of Management and Executive Director of the Initiative for Women in Business has developed this program with the insights of 10 years of delivering the Back to Work Campus program.

Other instructors are industry experts bringing their knowledge of the hidden job market and specific tools to gain access to you.

Beatrix DartBeatrix Dart >>
Academic Director, Back to Work
Executive Director, Initiative for Women in Business
Professor, Strategic Management and Faculty-at-Large

Photo of Alison Ainsworth Alison Ainsworth >>
Career Transition Consultant, Lee Hecht Harrison Knightsbridge

 

Jia Lin XieAnn Armstrong >>

Academic Director, Business Edge Change Management
Director, Social Enterprise Initiative

 

Photo of Robyn Behlke Robyn Behlke >>
Career Consultant
Rotman School of Management

 

Photo of Maja Djikic Maja Djikic >>
Associate Professor of Organizational Behaviour & HR Management
Director, Self-Development Lab

 

Photo of Rocca Morra Hodge Rocca Morra Hodge >>
Director, Career Services, Executive MBA Programs, Rotman School of Management

 

Photo of Meena Kaila Meena Kaila-Gambhir >>
Senior Career Consultant, Lee Hecht Harrison Knightsbridge

 

Photo of Dorothy Lazovik Dorothy Lazovik >>
Founder & President, Authentic Leaders Edge

 

Photo of Anita Windisman Anita Windisman >>
LinkedIn Consultant, Anita Windisman Consulting

 

Photo of Sabina MichaelSabina Michael >>
Associate Director, Intercultural Skills Lab

 

Photo of Julia Woods Julia Woods >>
Principal, Lee Hecht Harrison Knightsbridge

Fees and payment

Program Fee

$3,950* + HST

*Included:

  • Tuition (In addition to program instruction, includes 1 to 1 resume coaching session, networking sessions with program peers, graduates and sponsor organizations, program staff support, access to other return to work offerings; ie. Return to Bay Street and Women in Tech Sales Bootcamp, and more. 
  • Completion certificate

Payment

A $500 deposit is required within two (2) weeks of receipt of offer. The balance is required 30 days after receipt of invoice or 30 days prior to the start of the Program, whichever is earliest.

Payments may be made online. Applicants will be directed to a secure online payment website after completing the application form.

Financial Assistance

  • Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) This program is eligible for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). For more information, please go to our Financial Assistance page.

  • Windmill Microlending  Internationally Educated Professionals have the opportunity to borrow from Windmill Microlending to finance this program and more. Windmill provides affordable loans for skilled immigrants to achieve career success. Find more information on their website or download their information sheet here.

Scholarships

Scholarships available after acceptance to 5 eligible candidates. Supported by Margaret Stephens (MBA '76) and Andrew Stephens.

Alumni Discount

Rotman's Initiative for Women in Business participants and Rotman MBA / EMBA alumni are eligible for a 10% of discount. Cannot be applied simultaneously with any other fee reductions.

Cancellation Policy

Please review our program policies for cancellation information.

Tax Information: Non-Work Related Training

If the Program is not being taken for employment reasons, any discounts are taxable benefits to the individual participant and should be included on the individual’s tax return.


Have a question?

Contact us.

Initiative for Women in Business
Rotman School of Management
women.initiatives@rotman.utoronto.ca


Accreditation

The Back to Work Program has been approved for 49 continuing professional development hours under section A of the continuing Professional Development Log of the Human Resources Professionals Associations (HRPA™)