This file contains a description of a current Citi employee and description of the employee experience through a set of questions and answers. Everyday, you will choose to either have a job or a career. All of the inspiring and successful people I’ve interacted with have viewed their occupations as careers. Another way of looking at it is the difference between being an executor or an entrepreneur. You shouldn’t just complete the tasks you’re given, you should question them. 

Another piece of advice is to make your manager look good. Many people join a company thinking the way forward is through self-promotion. The key is to make your manager look good, remembering to do a little diplomatic self-promotion when appropriate. You should also strive to know as many people as possible from Administrative Assistants through to the CEO.

]]> A few years ago I told my manager that I felt he could extract more value from me and that I wanted a new challenge. He thought about it and then sent me to Tokyo for two weeks to train bankers on a new platform. Despite having studied Japanese I wasn’t sure I could train people in their native language. I brushed up as fast as I could, spent two weeks in Tokyo and led training that was very well received!

]]> Our competitive edge is that we can do anything. Our clients are impressed when our answer is always ‘yes’. Does the client want to purchase a customized private aircraft? Yes, we can do that in-house. Would they like to take their company public? If yes, we’ll introduce our investment bank partners. Are they concerned about the best way to transition their wealth? If yes, our Trust and Estate team are here to guide them. It’s empowering that no matter the topic of conversation, we can step up to the table and get things done globally.

]]> I majored in Economics and Japanese. Citi provided the opportunity for me to work and live in Japan on more than one memorable occasion. In my current role I am able to draw on those experiences and the Japanese colleagues I worked with. Clients have been very pleased that I could organize a lending facility for a Tokyo property with relative ease. At the end of the day, it really is about your network.

]]> They might not sound like the typical skills, but I’ve found being humble and open to learning is crucial. The more you learn, the better you’ll be in front of clients or management, and remember, there is no finish line. Have a global perspective, travel to interesting places, and be familiar with the global economy - as the world gets smaller, this will become even more important. Networking is also a core skill that everyone should have, and is easy to develop. Just remember to network at all levels.

]]> There’s a humorous saying at Citi that we give you a long rope and it’s up to you to either run with it or hang yourself. If you really run with it, you’ll receive an immense amount of support, from top-tier professional development programs to management that encourages entrepreneurship and new ideas. If you make a commitment to being the best, you will receive support from all levels and the sky is the limit.

]]> Bono and Steve Jobs. Bono’s self-transformation from musician to philanthropist/quasi politician is inspiring, not to mention the difference he’s making. Similarly, Steve Jobs was ousted from his own company but then came back to reinvent it and reinvent the way we think about everyday experiences, such as listening to music, using a computer or cell phone. They are both rebels who have transformed slightly worn topics (technology, third world poverty) into very cool parties that everyone wants to attend.

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Name: Peter Gaudry

Title: Vice President

Education: B.Ec, University of New South Wales

Program: Citi Private Bank

Level: analyst

Region: North America

What advice would you offer prospective candidates on transitioning from school to the workplace?

Everyday, you will choose to either have a job or a career. All of the inspiring and successful people I’ve interacted with have viewed their occupations as careers. Another way of looking at it is the difference between being an executor or an entrepreneur. You shouldn’t just complete the tasks you’re given, you should question them. 

Another piece of advice is to make your manager look good. Many people join a company thinking the way forward is through self-promotion. The key is to make your manager look good, remembering to do a little diplomatic self-promotion when appropriate. You should also strive to know as many people as possible from Administrative Assistants through to the CEO.

Describe the most memorable experience you've ever had at Citi.

A few years ago I told my manager that I felt he could extract more value from me and that I wanted a new challenge. He thought about it and then sent me to Tokyo for two weeks to train bankers on a new platform. Despite having studied Japanese I wasn’t sure I could train people in their native language. I brushed up as fast as I could, spent two weeks in Tokyo and led training that was very well received!

What do you consider Citi's competitive edge?

Our competitive edge is that we can do anything. Our clients are impressed when our answer is always ‘yes’. Does the client want to purchase a customized private aircraft? Yes, we can do that in-house. Would they like to take their company public? If yes, we’ll introduce our investment bank partners. Are they concerned about the best way to transition their wealth? If yes, our Trust and Estate team are here to guide them. It’s empowering that no matter the topic of conversation, we can step up to the table and get things done globally.

How do you apply your degree to what you're doing now?

I majored in Economics and Japanese. Citi provided the opportunity for me to work and live in Japan on more than one memorable occasion. In my current role I am able to draw on those experiences and the Japanese colleagues I worked with. Clients have been very pleased that I could organize a lending facility for a Tokyo property with relative ease. At the end of the day, it really is about your network.

What skills have you found to be the most useful in your position?

They might not sound like the typical skills, but I’ve found being humble and open to learning is crucial. The more you learn, the better you’ll be in front of clients or management, and remember, there is no finish line. Have a global perspective, travel to interesting places, and be familiar with the global economy - as the world gets smaller, this will become even more important. Networking is also a core skill that everyone should have, and is easy to develop. Just remember to network at all levels.

How has Citi supported your career development?

There’s a humorous saying at Citi that we give you a long rope and it’s up to you to either run with it or hang yourself. If you really run with it, you’ll receive an immense amount of support, from top-tier professional development programs to management that encourages entrepreneurship and new ideas. If you make a commitment to being the best, you will receive support from all levels and the sky is the limit.

If you could have dinner with anyone (past or present) who would it be and why?

Bono and Steve Jobs. Bono’s self-transformation from musician to philanthropist/quasi politician is inspiring, not to mention the difference he’s making. Similarly, Steve Jobs was ousted from his own company but then came back to reinvent it and reinvent the way we think about everyday experiences, such as listening to music, using a computer or cell phone. They are both rebels who have transformed slightly worn topics (technology, third world poverty) into very cool parties that everyone wants to attend.

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