This file contains a description of a current Citi employee and description of the employee experience through a set of questions and answers. I would say the best thing to do is to always have an inquisitive mind. Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask questions whenever you have doubts. Asians tend to hesitate more before speaking up including myself. But you would be amazed by how much more you would learn from others by asking appropriate questions! As a junior, you are expected and also fully entitled to ask!

]]> I don’t want to sound too cliché but it is truly the dynamic workplace that gets me excited every morning. After completing my rotations, I have been placed in Fixed Income, Currencies & Commodities, working on the sales and structuring desk. Market movements mean opportunities for us to identify new hedging and investment needs for our clients. Since the market keeps moving, there are so many different business opportunities every day. It can be a lot of pressure sometimes but I do find my career very challenging and fulfilling.

]]> Citi’s global reach distinguishes itself from other financial services firm. Our global presence enables us to share information, knowledge and resources with each other in other parts of the world seamlessly within the organization. This also enables a strong team which is able to serve clients in this increasingly globalized world.

]]> My co-workers are proud of what they do in their job. We pride ourselves in the delivery of quality services to our clients. That is why we have high expectations on the quality of the work that we do. And you can expect yourself to be surrounded by highly self-motivated and committed people at Citi.

]]> The Management Associate program has allowed me to understand much more about the banking business in general and discover where my interests lie. I undertook intensive rotational attachments in, namely, Fixed Income, Currencies and Commodities, Equities, Financial Institutions Division, Financial Control, Credit Risk Management, Transaction Services, etc. These assignments were also valuable opportunities for me to network with people across businesses. Moreover, I also attended 6-week overseas training together with other Management Associates in Asia. It complemented perfectly with my rotational assignments where I was expected to pick things up quickly and apply what I learned during the training.

]]> During the summer internship at Citi’s Conglomerates Division in Hong Kong, I worked on a research project for the petroleum industry in China. My co-workers were very eager to share with me their knowledge and experience, and this is of utmost importance when it comes to the career development of a junior personnel. My managers were also very supportive of my personal development. They gave me meaningful projects to work on from which I also learned a lot.

]]> I love traveling. The most memorable journey was when I spent one month traveling along the Trans-Siberian Railway. Some highlights were: I spent a week in some traditional Mongolian tents with a nomadic family on the vast grassland, learned the Russian poker (and was forced to drink a lot of vodka) on the Russian train and visited the Kremlin in Moscow. I also play on a softball league outside of work and I am a holder of the Performer’s Certificate in Solo Piano of Trinity College London.

]]>

Name: Patrick Wong

Title: Management Associate

Education: BBA Finance, The University of Hong Kong

Program: Management Associate Program

Level: analyst

Region: Greater China

What advice would you offer prospective candidates on transitioning from school to the workplace?: I would say the best thing to do is to always have an inquisitive mind. Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask questions whenever you have doubts. Asians tend to hesitate more before speaking up including myself. But you would be amazed by how much more you would learn from others by asking appropriate questions! As a junior, you are expected and also fully entitled to ask!
What about your career excites you the most - gets you out of bed in the morning?: I don’t want to sound too cliché but it is truly the dynamic workplace that gets me excited every morning. After completing my rotations, I have been placed in Fixed Income, Currencies & Commodities, working on the sales and structuring desk. Market movements mean opportunities for us to identify new hedging and investment needs for our clients. Since the market keeps moving, there are so many different business opportunities every day. It can be a lot of pressure sometimes but I do find my career very challenging and fulfilling.
What do you consider Citi's competitive edge?: Citi’s global reach distinguishes itself from other financial services firm. Our global presence enables us to share information, knowledge and resources with each other in other parts of the world seamlessly within the organization. This also enables a strong team which is able to serve clients in this increasingly globalized world.
How would you describe your team and the people you work with?: My co-workers are proud of what they do in their job. We pride ourselves in the delivery of quality services to our clients. That is why we have high expectations on the quality of the work that we do. And you can expect yourself to be surrounded by highly self-motivated and committed people at Citi.
Describe your experience in your specific training program.: The Management Associate program has allowed me to understand much more about the banking business in general and discover where my interests lie. I undertook intensive rotational attachments in, namely, Fixed Income, Currencies and Commodities, Equities, Financial Institutions Division, Financial Control, Credit Risk Management, Transaction Services, etc. These assignments were also valuable opportunities for me to network with people across businesses. Moreover, I also attended 6-week overseas training together with other Management Associates in Asia. It complemented perfectly with my rotational assignments where I was expected to pick things up quickly and apply what I learned during the training.
How did your summer internship help you make the decision to pursue a career at Citi?: During the summer internship at Citi’s Conglomerates Division in Hong Kong, I worked on a research project for the petroleum industry in China. My co-workers were very eager to share with me their knowledge and experience, and this is of utmost importance when it comes to the career development of a junior personnel. My managers were also very supportive of my personal development. They gave me meaningful projects to work on from which I also learned a lot.
What do you enjoy doing outside work?: I love traveling. The most memorable journey was when I spent one month traveling along the Trans-Siberian Railway. Some highlights were: I spent a week in some traditional Mongolian tents with a nomadic family on the vast grassland, learned the Russian poker (and was forced to drink a lot of vodka) on the Russian train and visited the Kremlin in Moscow. I also play on a softball league outside of work and I am a holder of the Performer’s Certificate in Solo Piano of Trinity College London.

]]>