In today’s competitive hiring landscape, diversity and inclusion (D&I) are no longer just buzzwords—they are essential drivers of innovation, creativity, and business success. Yet, tech recruiters continue to face challenges in building high-performing, diverse teams. Traditional hiring pipelines often overlook experienced professionals who have taken career breaks, creating gaps in representation, especially for women, caregivers, and underrepresented groups. This is where returnship programs come in, offering a structured pathway for skilled professionals to re-enter the workforce while helping companies expand their talent pool.
Why Tech Needs Returnships to Strengthen D&I Efforts
Despite progress in hiring diverse candidates, tech remains one of the least gender-balanced and inclusive industries. A 2024 report by McKinsey reveals women hold just 28% of computing jobs, and the numbers drop even further for leadership positions. Additionally, professionals who take career breaks—often due to caregiving responsibilities—struggle to return, despite their expertise.
Returnships help bridge this gap by:
✅ Reintroducing experienced professionals who already have the technical knowledge and leadership skills to contribute effectively.
✅ Creating structured career pathways for candidates from historically excluded backgrounds.
✅ Reducing bias in hiring by focusing on skills, not just recent job history.
Returnship Success in Tech
Major tech companies like Amazon, IBM, and LinkedIn have successfully implemented returnship programs, bringing back hundreds of talented professionals who had taken extended career breaks. According to Path Forward, 86% of returnship participants are converted into full-time employees, proving their effectiveness in workforce reintegration.
Additionally, Gartner research shows that diverse teams outperform non-diverse teams by 35%, reinforcing the business case for integrating returnships into hiring strategies.
How Tech Recruiters Can Leverage Returnships
For tech recruiters looking to build high-performing, diverse teams, returnships provide a proven, low-risk strategy to tap into skilled talent. Here’s how :
🔹 Partner with returnship programs like MARS Returnship to access a pre-vetted, diverse talent pool.
🔹 Redefine hiring criteria to focus on skills and potential, rather than recent work experience.
🔹 Provide mentorship and upskilling opportunities to ensure returners integrate seamlessly into tech roles.
🔹 Promote returnships internally to encourage leadership buy-in and long-term program sustainability.
Build a More Diverse, Inclusive Tech Team with MARS Returnship
At MARS Returnship, we specialize in helping companies reconnect with skilled professionals ready to return to the tech industry. Our structured returnship programs are designed to reduce hiring gaps, enhance diversity, and strengthen retention efforts—ensuring you build a team that thrives in innovation.
💡 Looking to hire top tech talent while advancing your D&I goals?
Let’s build your high-performing, diverse team together at MARS Returnship.
