What advice would you offer prospective candidates on
transitioning from school to the workplace?
It is important to remain flexible and make the most of
opportunities as they present themselves. Be sure to speak with
your manager up front to outline what your goals for the rotation
are. My experience has been that managers are very willing to try
to tailor your projects, within reason, to meet your goals. Also be
active in seeking opportunities to get involved in new projects and
to meet new people. And do not be afraid to ask for help when
needed.
Describe the most memorable experience you've ever had
at Citi.
After weighing the number of different alternatives, I decided
to do my rotation in Japan. While I was there, Citi’s Japan banking
operations converted from a branch to a locally incorporated bank
subsidiary, the first time this has ever been done in Japan by a
foreign company. Also, Citi completed the acquisition of 69% of
Nikko Cordial in one of the largest foreign acquisitions of a
domestic company in Japan’s history. Being involved in initiatives
like these has provided me with experiences that would be hard to
get elsewhere.
How would you describe your team and
the people you work with?
In my time at Citi, I have worked with a number of different
teams and people on various projects, and all have been very
positive experiences. The quality of the finance professionals
within the company is very high. People are always willing to help
out and to take the time to explain projects and new concepts. This
is particularly important to people who are within developmental
programs like the FMA program. My co-workers have always understood
the importance of the program and do what they can to make sure I
am broadly exposed to different members of management and a variety
of projects, so that I can get the most out of all my
experiences.
How do you apply your degree to what
you're doing now?
I think that I use some aspect of my degree on a daily basis in
my work. At business school, you are given the basic tools in
finance and business in general, such as how to analyze financial
statements and evaluate a business. You learn the theory about
finance, accounting, statistics and economics. In addition, you
gain valuable experience working in different team situations,
and learning how to most effectively work with a variety of people.
This has all been applicable on the job, as I build on this
foundation to form a practical well-rounded skill set. I have
performed statistical regressions to analyze credit sensitivities
to various macroeconomic variables, completed pro forma analyses
given the impact of potential acquisitions, and determined the
required level of capital to hold on the balance sheet of a newly
created subsidiary. My MBA degree provided me with the base skills
to effectively and efficiently complete these tasks.
How did your summer internship help
you make the decision to pursue a career at Citi?
I was lucky to have the opportunity to complete my summer
internship in the Consumer Risk Capital Group as part of the
Financial Management Summer Associate program. As an intern, I was
able to network with a number of people in the finance community,
including the other interns, which gave me insight into the broad
range of career opportunities that were available within the
finance function at Citi. After seeing first hand the quality of
the people and hearing about the great experiences that others were
having as well, it was an easy decision for me to join Citi after
graduation.
What do you enjoy doing outside
work?
Outside of work I enjoy staying active and exploring my
surroundings. Living in New York provides an abundance of
possibilities in this regard, with its many museums, restaurants
and Broadway shows, among many others, and I try to take advantage
of most of what the city offers. I also have a bit of a travel bug,
and love to explore the culture and history of other countries.
Doing one of my rotations in Japan allowed me the opportunity
to see as much of that country as possible and to immerse myself in
some of its unique traditions.