Career Comeback: Case Study on Returning After a Break |

Updated: February 15, 2026 08:02

Image Source: Harvard Business Review

A Harvard Business Review 2026 case study explores how professionals can reenter the workforce after extended breaks. Featuring a marketing executive who paused his career for a decade to homeschool his daughter, the study highlights strategies like returnships, mission-driven roles, and leveraging transferable skills to rebuild careers with confidence.

Career breaks are increasingly common, whether for caregiving, burnout recovery, or personal growth. The Harvard Business Review case study (March–April 2026) follows a senior marketing executive who left his corporate role to homeschool his neurodiverse daughter. Now, after ten years, he faces the challenge of reentering a rapidly evolving workforce.

Experts emphasize that returning professionals should focus on mission-driven organizations, structured returnship programs, and networking to regain momentum. Companies like Accenture have launched initiatives such as the Career Reboot Program, offering mentorship and tailored learning paths to help professionals transition smoothly back into work.

Meanwhile, surveys reveal that 53% of Indian professionals view career breaks as opportunities for growth, with many returning stronger after sabbaticals. Owning the career gap, highlighting transferable skills, and demonstrating resilience are key to reframing breaks as assets rather than setbacks.

Major Takeaways

Career breaks are increasingly normalized in India and globally
Case study: marketing executive reenters workforce after 10-year caregiving break
Returnship programs and mission-driven startups provide structured pathways
Accenture’s Career Reboot Program offers mentorship and tailored learning
53% of Indian professionals see breaks as growth opportunities
Owning career gaps and showcasing transferable skills are critical strategies

Conclusion

Career breaks no longer need to be career enders. With structured programs, supportive employers, and a reframed narrative, professionals can return stronger, turning pauses into launchpads for innovation and resilience. India’s evolving job market shows that comeback stories are not exceptions—they are becoming the norm.

Sources: Harvard Business Review, Accenture Career Reboot Program, Daily Financial

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