Opt Back In program is focused on women

The newly created Opt Back In program at Baruch College will focus on assisting professional women who are interested in re-entering the workforce.
The program, which is directed towards women but is also open to men, will be launched in January of 2008 by the college’s Zicklin School of Business. It was designed by management professor Cynthia Thompson, career counselor Nancy Leighton and former private equity banker Peggy Segal, who now assists women who are returning to careers.
“People who’ve been out of the workforce for a long time start to feel like they’re losing their grip. They basically had to discontinue their careers to raise children,” Thompson said. “Now they want to go back - but not to a 70-hour work week. They want more flexibility, and they’re often unsure about what to do next.”
Among the problems that people can face when re-entering the workforce are having gaps in their resumes and having dated knowledge and skills. Some of the topics addressed during Opt Back In are career transition strategies, building support and identifying barriers, explaining the “gap,” updating business knowledge and skills and setting goals and moving forward.
The program takes place over the course of three days. It features speakers who are authors, human resource directors, executive recruiters and women who have made the transitions themselves.
The cost of Opt Back In is $975, which includes tuition, materials and meals.
The first series for the Opt Back In program will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on January 9, 16 and 23. It will take place in Baruch College’s Newman Conference Center, located at 151 East 25th Street between Lexington Avenue and Third Avenue.
For more information, visit their website at https://zicklin.baruch.cuny.edu/optingbackin or call 646-312-3639.