AW
Took a hiatus to: look after parents; both have subsequently died. (2.5 years out )
When she left, she was: Information Analyst, Systems Consultant & Research Librarian
Current situation: single mom, has only been able to find temporary work below her level
Wants: full-time work
Areas: Information Analyst, Systems Consultant & Research Librarian

BD
Took a hiatus to: have kids (6 years out)
When she left, she was: project engineer, mining & metals and aircraft hydraulics (P. Mech Eng).
Current situation: 2 kids (4 & 6), needs to go back to work.
Wants: potentially flexible workplace
Areas: technical writing, editing or publishing, talk to people who have transitioned out of engineering into another field

CA
Took a hiatus to: immigrate to Canada in 2000 (out 3 years)
When she left, she was: a communications consultant – working in advertising and PR at a high level in the Middle East
Current situation: 3 children, one with special needs. Husband will be laid off in January.
Wants: computer-based design, internet-based advertising and marketing, communications design for e-business

DL
Took a hiatus to: immigrate to Canada in 1999
When she left, she was: an international Product Manager for 2 global consumer goods companies
Current situation: Divorced in 2003. Underemployed for part of the past 3 years, she has investigated a few areas but wants to take the right route.
Wants: to work with a talented team in project management, marketing, or coordination
Areas: 2010 Olympics, tourism & recreation, property management, banking

EF
Took a hiatus to: immigrate to Canada and have kids (3 years out)
When she left, she was: in management in IT in Amsterdam & biotech in Ireland
Current situation: 2 pre-school children, husband is under-employed, no local contacts
Wants: Project management in a challenging progressive environment; positions including coordination & analysis, to work with a project team, flexible schedule, full-time
Areas: IT, information management, health care, open to other industries

ID
Took a hiatus to: immigrate to Canada and have kids (out 5 years)
When she left, she was: in management / executive director positions in Hong Kong
Current situation: 2 pre-school children, husband has been ill/unable to find work and has become self-employed, and she needs to help support the family.
Wants: to talk to people who have moved from permanent to contract work or consulting
Areas: management, operational planning and implementation, process improvement

JRI
Took a hiatus to: raise kids and care for aging parents (out 24 years)
When she left, she was: Sales Manager in the hospitality industry
Current situation: divorced, must be self-sufficient next spring. Has only been able to find entry-level/part-time jobs.
Wants: full-time in a helping position
Areas: Seniors, health care, entertainment, tourism

JRU
Took a hiatus to: raise kids (out 19 years)
When she left, she was: a CA in public practice (still has credentials)
Current situation: 2 sons (14 & 16), needs to become economically stable due to her recent separation. She has done some P/T work from her home.
Wants: to use her CA in a business setting i.e. controller, analysis, costing, etc. and to meet people with financial management experience (not public practice)
Areas: recreational companies, wine industry, fashion industry

LC
Took a hiatus to: have a son, move back to Vancouver & return to school to get an MA in Education (out 4 years)
When she left, she was: developing & delivering health/nutrition programs in northern BC and on Vancouver Island
Current situation: original credentials now outdated; she and her son live with her parents.
Wants: to move into a position that allows for a broad variety of communication skills
Areas: career counseling, facilitation, training, program development & evaluation, human resources, coaching.