Stacia joined Wells Fargo at the end of 2024 after successfully completing the Wells Fargo Glide – Relaunch USA returnships in the fall. She joined as a Senior Business Execution Consultant in Global Operations and has been loving her time back after 8 years out of the paid workforce.
What type of work did you do before stepping away from the workforce? Before stepping away from the workforce, I worked in banking, primarily in operations, which is similar to the role I’m in now. I also gained experience in technology, where I supported agile teams focused on our databases. My responsibilities included reporting and analysis for both the business and IT departments.
What prompted your return to work? I never planned on being away from work for as long as I was. I stopped working in late 2016 to care for my youngest child, who has Down syndrome and required additional therapies and support. At the time, it made sense for one of us to stay home and support her. I initially planned to return to work once she started kindergarten in 2020, but as we all know, that year brought unexpected challenges. With the onset of the pandemic, I decided to stay home a bit longer to support both my children through the transition to remote and asynchronous schooling.
When the children were able to go back to school full-time, I needed to help some family members who were ill. With one thing after another extending my time away, it wasn’t until this year that I felt it was the right time to return to work.
How long did you look for work before applying for a returnship? I spent several years passively looking for opportunities before applying for anything. During that time, I would regularly check Path Forward’s site to see what types of roles were available, but nothing seemed to be the right fit. When I saw the opening at Wells Fargo, I knew it was time to jump back in.
Did you take any classes in preparation for your return to work? In preparation for my return to work, I focused on updating my resume and realized that the technology landscape had shifted significantly since the pandemic. To ensure I was up to date, I took the time to familiarize myself with current tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other relevant technologies. Additionally, I utilized resources like YouTube to help prepare for behavioral interview questions.
Also, throughout my time out of the paid workforce, I worked as a job coach, and I volunteered in various roles, which helped me stay engaged and build relevant skills outside of the home.
What was your experience of returning to work at Wells Fargo? My experience returning to work at Wells Fargo has been incredibly positive. I honestly can’t imagine how they could have made it better. Every week, I met with a liaison from HR and had the opportunity to hear from speakers who helped us reskill, covering both soft and technical skills. This made me feel confident, knowing I wasn’t missing out on any of the essential skills needed for success.
The support throughout the program has been exceptional, and it was reassuring to know that this was an established program designed for individuals like me. It also provided a great opportunity to build camaraderie with others who were in the same situation, creating a sense of community as we navigated this transition together.
What are you most proud of accomplishing during your return-to-work experience? Professionally, I’m most proud of the project I’m currently working on with my small team. There are many moving parts to the program and I’m proud of how I’ve been able to absorb all the information, organize it logically, manage my time effectively, and ask the right questions. It’s been a challenging yet rewarding experience, and I’m happy with how I’ve been able to handle it.
Personally, when I first returned to work, I was concerned about balancing my career with my responsibilities at home. We made it work by keeping communication open and managing it like a project — staying organized, setting expectations, and ensuring that everyone is on the same page makes it much easier to find balance.
Do you have any advice for future returners? My advice for future returners is to wait for the right opportunity — focus on quality over quantity when looking for roles. It’s important to update your resume and take the time to reflect on what you accomplished during your time away from the workforce. Even though you weren’t formally employed, you were likely still managing projects, juggling calendars, and developing transferable skills. Be sure to highlight those experiences.
Additionally, practice your interview skills. I found it really helpful to watch YouTube videos on interview preparation, and I practiced answering questions so I could respond confidently without going blank during the interview.
What would you say to someone who is hesitant to apply for a returnship? I would say just go for it. You have to push past any feelings of imposter syndrome and take the leap. The worst that can happen is they say no.
There will be days when you feel discouraged but remember that the next day will be completely different and much better. It’s important to stay prepared, stay positive, and keep moving forward.
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