Re-join the world of work, join EY on a 12-week paid programme

Professional services organisation EY are offering people who have taken a career break of anything between two and 10 years – and have managerial experience in professional services or similar environment – a 12-week paid programme to get back into work.

EY are one of the UK’s fastest growing organisations, and they’re always looking for people to join them. On a day-to-day basis, they help organisations of every size and description, around the world, answer complex questions, work in better ways and accelerate their growth and success.

Varied, interesting work with global clients, the chance to manage a team and one-to-one coaching and development – the Reconnect programme is the perfect opportunity to revitalise your career and professional skills whilst building a network of like-minded people.

“It’s really boosted my professional confidence” – Minaxi’s story

Minaxi Arnold had taken a career break to raise a family. After a period of freelance and volunteer work, she decided she wanted a role that would increase her knowledge and develop her experience, as well as develop relationships with colleagues and clients. Now, after completing the EY Reconnect programme, she’s a manager in EY’s People Advisory Services business.

She said, “I was impressed with how EY embraces flexibility. Here, having a family is not career limiting – rather the opposite! EY is aware and appreciative of my achievements, which has really boosted my confidence. These programmes ignore the gap in a person’s career history and look at an individual’s experience and skills to match them to appropriate roles.”

Initially, Minaxi did have some reservations, “I didn’t think I’d get back into the work mind-set having had a career break, but actually, I picked up right where I left off.” Throughout the programme she enjoyed, “working, learning something new, delivering client work and winning new business.”

It wasn’t a difficult decision for Minaxi to stay on at EY after finishing the Reconnect programme, “I had enjoyed my ‘internship’ and valued being part of a growing and successful team. I could see how my contribution counted towards our growth.”

Continuing to develop as a professional is really important to Minaxi and she’s taken up many opportunities to keep learning, “I was invited to the New Manager training course, to prepare for being a Manager at EY. I was also picked to represent my service line on the pilot People Advisory Services EMEIA Immersion training course in Prague which was really invaluable.  More recently, I was invited to attend the People Advisory Services Transactions Bootcamp in Berlin. There is so much valuable Learning & Development, it is really up to the individual to get involved and take ownership of their own learning.”

Upon her return to work, it didn’t take long for Minaxi to start making a real impact, “There have been a few achievements I’m proud of since returning. I recently helped UKI Recruitment to select a new Application Tracking System vendor which will be rolled out later this year. I also drafted a People Strategy for an $8 billion Telecommunications company!”

And if Minaxi could go back to give a piece of advice to herself before starting the Reconnect programme, “I would tell myself to be confident in my abilities. I was worried my skill set wouldn’t transfer into my new role, but I’ve managed to continually surprise myself and would encourage anyone thinking about returning to work to do the same!’

How to apply?

If you’re thinking about re-joining the world of work, and are looking for a support network to help you succeed, visit EY to find out more: https://ukcareers.ey.com/experienced/where-you-fit/our-programmes/returning-to-work-ey-reconnect