What about that 15-year gap in your résumé? I thought to myself, “I’m not confident enough to put myself out there.” They said don’t ignore that period, don’t be ashamed, you need to say you were a full-time caregiver for two children. You were a class parent, a fund-raiser, on the hiring committees for the school district, you worked at church, you’re still a vibrant person.

Did the internship help? The sponsor organization knew that our skills were probably rusty and the internships allowed us an opportunity to practice working again with more training and mentoring than would be available if you were starting a real job cold turkey. People there were very interested in making sure we had a good experience. I was able to get my foot in the door of an organization, and they were able to observe me.

Your internships? I spent 11 weeks at a bank that ended last June. It went well, but they didn’t have anything. Then I did a second internship, an in-house position for a tech company, but they didn’t have anything either. In September, I was talking with the people at the bank, and they offered me the job I have now.

Salary? Less than my husband’s but more than when I left the U.S. attorney.

JEANNETTE ROSSOFF, 56, Manhattan

Current position In-house counsel, New York eHealth Collaborative, a nonprofit organization.

Law school Boston University class of 1983.

Position before leaving law Corporate attorney, Shearman Sterling, 1983 to 1985.

Reason for leaving Stay-at-home mom for four children, now ages 21 to 28.