Sitting in a cubicle after 5 p.m. on a Friday or even just on a beautiful spring day, can make anyone dream of striking out on their own. Freedom may not turn out the way corporate captives dream it will be. For instance, many freelancers/contractors end up occupying cubicles, just without the benefits or job security enjoyed by many full-time employees.

In an effort to reach experienced professionals, primarily women who leave their positions for extended periods for personal reasons, and support their return to their careers, business schools and professional firms have initiated programs targeted to their needs. Business schools are offering these programs within their executive education departments, the Wall Street Journal says. Courses at Harvard’s Business School and Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business include updates on finance and accounting, as well as changes in business technology.

Worker confidence among accounting and finance professionals increased 2.0 points, to 110.8, during April, according to the Hudson Employment Index. This reading is significantly higher than last April’s 103.7 level.