Voices of Experience: Robin Gugick Mayer, Corporate Bonds Analyst at UBS
By: Jessica Titlebaum
“Opportunities are changing,” said Robin Gugick Mayer, a Corporate Bonds Analyst at UBS. “Companies are recognizing a talent pool that wasn’t recognized even just a few years ago and want to tap into it.”
Mrs. Mayer is referring to the pool of talented women who are returning to the workforce after a career break. As an on-ramper herself, she participated in the Career Comeback Program sponsored by UBS and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School to help her prepare for her return.
Career Comeback, held on campus in Philadelphia and onsite at UBS, is a fellowship program for professionals re-entering the workforce. The three day program educates women on business advancements, helps develop transition strategies and offers an opportunity to network with industry leaders.
“We were updated on trends in the business world including finance, accounting and management,” she said. “We also were provided with a career coach to help market ourselves to potential employers.”
Mrs. Mayer noted that other respected firms and well-known schools have become engaged in helping women get back on the career track. She pointed to Goldman Sach’s New Direction Program and Lehman Brother’s Encore Initiative, which are based on the March 2005 study, by Dr. Sylvia Ann Hewlett, called “Off-Ramps and On-Ramps.” Schools like Harvard University and Dartmouth College are also attempting to tap into this talent pool.
Women who take time off and wish to return, face some real hurdles. Among other things, they may not be aware of regulatory changes, technical advancements, or changes in the business. Career Comeback and similar programs look to attract female professionals that need to refocus in these areas.
After participating in Career Comeback, Mrs. Mayer was able to begin the second phase of her career at UBS with an alternative work arrangement. As a mother of 3, Mrs. Mayer needs flexibility and admits the balancing act is a challenge. With a flexible schedule and a supportive family, she is able to handle the challenges of motherhood and career that so many women face today. She had this advice to offer women who are looking to return to work or want to ask for a special arrangement: if you want a flexible schedule, you should be performing at a high level and be the best candidate for the position. Also, do not seek flexibility if you are also trying to change your career path.
“You can’t have both,” she said. “You should be returning to the same job at the senior level.” Your capability and experience are your key assets that can enable a flexible arrangement to work.
Mrs. Mayer also pointed out that resources can come from networking events as well. Most people don’t reach out to their contacts until they have already left their job or are looking for a new one. She recommended figuring out who you want your circle of contacts to be while you are still employed and to keep in touch with people who have moved on from your firm.
“Often the person that helps you out is the person you least expect,” she said. “You never know where it’s going to come from.”
For further insight into successful on-ramping, Mrs. Mayer recommended a book by Dr. Sylvia Ann Hewlett, Off – Ramps and On – Ramps: Keeping Talented Women on the Road to Success, published in 2007 by Harvard Business School Press. The book examines the impact that a career break has on professional women, as well as approaches firms can take to retain and reintegrate this growing group of female employees.
Another tool for women looking to return to work, is the recruiting firm On-Ramps. They work with employers to help understand why employees need flexibility in their schedule and make recommendations to firms on how to recruit and retain talent. On the employee side, they can help you prepare for when you approach your boss for a flexible schedule and help with job placement. Utilizing these tools, and taking a practical approach that clearly defines the benefits for both you and your employer can make your transition easier and that much more successful.
