Women Re-entering the Workforce Now Have More Options as YourOnRamp Expands to Texas
Forbes
02.18.08, 1:01 PM ET
YourOnRamp.com, a free online resource designed to help professional women navigate career transitions, announced today that it is expanding into the Texas marketplace. Betsy Bagley, of Dallas, will spearhead efforts to link companies in need of professional talent with this untapped segment of the workforce.
"There is no other resource available where women can get everything they need to manage their career OffRamps and OnRamps," comments Catherine Clifford, founder of YourOnRamp. "Women are natural experts at managing the demands of home and career, but they are short on time and often put career goals in back of other priorities. YourOnRamp provides a one-stop shop where women can gain inspiration, build confidence, update skills, strengthen connections, connect with employers and discover new paths to a successful work/life balance."
Bagley adds, "Women OffRamp from the workforce for a variety of reasons. It has been tough for them to re-engage. Many employers are searching for new sources of talent and are beginning to welcome these women back. They are impressed with the productivity, commitment, and experience these OnRampers offer."
Despite the success and enormous strides of women in the workplace, there is a disturbing trend of talented women dropping out of mainstream careers. According to a recent study, 37% of highly qualified women voluntarily leave their careers for some period of time and 58% go flex or part-time. Among those who OffRamp, the majority (93%) want to return, but face challenges including a loss of confidence, a neglected network and outdated skills.
YourOnRamp offers a pathway for success for women in all stages of career transitions. In a sophisticated and fun format, it provides a networking community to help women stay current and connected, job listings with an emphasis on professional part-time, full-time, and nonprofit positions, and resources, including a toolkit covering everything from resume writing to developing an effective elevator pitch.
YourOnRamp launched June, 2007 and women and employers are benefiting from the value it brings. YourOnRamp has been featured at conferences at Harvard, Columbia, Stanford, Tuck and the University of Texas in recent months. The company plans further expansion to additional metropolitan markets over the next year. To join or post a job, visit http://www.youronramp.com.
