Have you ever imagined turning your career hiatus into a triumphant return to the professional stage? That's exactly what our Return-to-Work programs at Pega are all about. Life can throw curveballs – whether it's taking time off for family, military service, education, or a career shift – but Pega’s Return-to-Work Programs in North America and India transform those challenges into opportunities for growth and success.
Our programs aren’t just about filling roles; they’re about empowering individuals to reclaim their place in the workforce with renewed confidence and skills. Designed for seasoned professionals, our programs offer tailored onboarding, personalized coaching and mentoring, and exclusive professional development opportunities. Think of it as a thrilling journey back into the professional arena, where participants have the chance to contribute to impactful projects while staying ahead of industry trends.
The launch of our Return-to-Work programs in North America and India brought outstanding individuals, whose stories of triumph and achievement left me truly inspired. But don't just take my word for it; let's hear from both our returners and managers as they share their remarkable experiences and successes firsthand.
Melissa Kenig: Workplace Engagement Associate – Waltham, MA
Before taking a career break, Melissa worked in business development for a multinational healthcare technology company, leading a transformation from selling products to solutions through consultative customer engagement. Thrilled to join the Return-to-Work Program, Melissa found that Pega offered her the opportunity to leverage her skills holistically and contribute consultatively, valuing her skills without bias. Her leader, Dan Ryan, was exceptionally supportive, ensuring her goals were understood and providing the necessary exposure to excel. Pega's comprehensive onboarding process made her feel valued, as they dedicated the time to help her understand both workforce re-entry and the company's culture and solutions. Additionally, her work/life balance was fully supported, with her personal time and volunteer work being honored and appreciated.
Allison Weissensee: Benefits Analyst – Waltham, MA
Allison was a manager in disability insurance before taking a career break for family reasons. She joined the Return-to-Work Program in North America to re-enter the workforce full-time, leveraging her background in disability benefit operations and project management. The program helped her adapt to the fast-paced work with refreshers in communication and presentation. Her manager and team were supportive, and made it enjoyable for her to participate in projects like implementing the Wellable well-being benefit. Throughout the program, she gained a broader understanding of benefits, which she applied daily while helping employees and partnering with vendors and business partners. After completing the program, she successfully converted to a full-time employee as a Benefits Analyst.
Sarra Barnett: Associate Engineer, Pega Operations Center – Remote, USA
Before joining Pega’s Return-to-Work Program, Sarra Barnett spent four years as a retail sales associate, thriving in customer service. She later paused her career to focus on raising her children as a full-time, stay-at-home mom. Motivated by the opportunity to re-enter the workforce with guidance and support, Sarra embraced Pega’s program to regain confidence and adapt to new technologies.
The program, particularly the Aurora Reachire platform, equipped her with practical strategies, confidence-boosting exercises, and insights from industry leaders. With consistent support from her manager and colleagues, she navigated challenges and developed a sense of belonging in her role. Sarra credits the program with reigniting her career and inspiring her to grow further within Pega, with aspirations to expand her skills and advance professionally. Upon finishing the program, she also transitioned into a full-time role as an Associate Engineer, Pega Operations Center.
Anusha Ginjupalli: Senior Application Engineer, Customer Service Desktop & Self-Service – Hyderabad, IN
Before her career break, Anusha worked at Pega, where she gained extensive experience in developing and managing Pega applications, providing her with a solid foundation in the platform. Her career break was prompted by her family's relocation to a different country. Motivated by a desire to update her skills, particularly in Pega technology, Anusha joined the Return-to-Work Program in India, which offered a structured and supportive pathway to re-enter the workforce. Re-entering the workforce after a five-year break presented challenges, particularly with the significant changes in Pega technology and managing two children at home. However, the program's support, along with the strong backing from her team and management, helped her smoothly transition back, quickly get up to speed with the latest technology, and balance her responsibilities at home.
How significant is the impact of returners on Pega? Why should we hire individuals who have taken a break from the workforce when we could easily choose candidates with recent and relevant experience? Our managers share their insights on the value of the Return-to-Work Program and the positive effects it has had on their teams.
Deiva (Senior Manager, Cloud Operations, Network) found the Return-to-Work Program highly beneficial as a manager. He saw it as an opportunity to bring experienced talent into his team while trying them out before making a full-time hire. The returnee brought a fresh energy to the team. Within two months, she resolved 75 tickets, handled deployments, and managed upgrades and patches, significantly contributing to the team's success. Deiva observed her growing confidence in using Pega tools and processes and received positive feedback from peers and engineers. He believes the program is valuable for identifying the right talent while boosting the confidence of those returning to the workforce. Deiva would strongly recommend other managers support this program, as it provides a win-win situation for both the engineers and Pega.
Dan (Vice President, Real Estate and Facilities) considered the Return-to-Work Program to be extremely valuable. He needed someone to clarify broad concepts related to hybrid work and bring fresh insights. Melissa, the returnee, delivered exactly that, offering a new perspective and insightful analysis that his team couldn’t have achieved alone. Her work resulted in a comprehensive presentation on hybrid work, its challenges, and a training program for leaders. Dan appreciated her data-driven approach and the fresh perspective she brought, which helped document successes and identify future challenges. Dan believes the Return-to-Work Program brought invaluable insight to the organization, emphasizing its potential to bring fresh perspectives and long-term benefits to any team.
Karen (Sr. Director, Partner Marketing) found the Return-to-Work Program highly valuable as it provided an opportunity to support evolving careers and augment her team during a busy period. The returnee quickly acclimated due to her confidence and previous experience, significantly contributing by streamlining the Pega Partner Awards review process. Her immediate engagement with the team and stakeholders demonstrated her impact. Karen believes the program is beneficial for workforce development, as it brings experienced individuals into new roles, offering fresh perspectives. She recommends other managers support similar initiatives for the diverse viewpoints and innovative approaches they bring.
These powerful testimonials from our managers highlight the immediate value returners bring to their teams. Beyond individual success stories, the Return-to-Work Programs have a broader impact on workforce development at Pega, shaping our company culture, driving innovation, and fostering an inclusive environment. They help participants seamlessly reintegrate and apply their skills in today’s dynamic work environment. Through tailored onboarding and professional development, returners quickly update their expertise, making them valuable assets to their teams. The programs are also a powerful driver of diversity and inclusion. By welcoming professionals who have taken career breaks without bias, the programs broaden the talent pool, bringing in individuals with unique perspectives and experiences that might otherwise be overlooked. This diversity of thought fosters a more inclusive environment where different viewpoints are valued and encouraged. The programs also help break down biases related to age, gender, and career gaps, reinforcing Pega’s commitment to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive.
The organizational benefits are equally significant. Returners bring fresh energy and perspectives that spark innovation and creativity, contributing to a vibrant company culture. Their diverse backgrounds lead to new ideas and approaches, often driving positive change within teams. Additionally, returners are highly motivated, tackling critical projects with enthusiasm and dedication, which enhances overall productivity. Pega’s Return-to-Work Programs not only strengthen individual careers but also drive the collective growth and success of the organization.
If you've taken a break from the workforce and are feeling uncertain about re-entering, consider this your sign to take the leap. At Pega, we believe that career pauses can lead to incredible comebacks, and we’re here to support you on that journey. We encourage you to explore our Return-to-Work opportunities in India and North America by visiting Pega’s career site and filtering for “Return-to-Work” roles. It’s time to turn hesitation into action and rediscover your potential. Join us, and together, we’ll transform your career break into a powerful new chapter of success!