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 use an analogy to describe my career with Citi and would describe it as a five-course meal in which the menu is always different and really good. A five-course meal is regarded as a quality meal. It starts light and small. Then, it gradually starts getting heartier. As you go through different plates you like your food more and more and just when you think you’re completely satisfied and think you can’t eat anything more you discover that the best is yet to come: dessert! And when you’re finally done, it is such a satisfying experience to sit back and sip on your coffee. Of course, a five-course meal is only enjoyable if you’re surrounded by good company and perhaps enjoying a show. Plus, you can enjoy an exquisite five-course meal as often as you want and in any location or restaurant.

]]> I would describe my team as a group of very intelligent, driven and innovative individuals with a strong passion for what they do. It is a small group in which new ideas are encouraged, shared and considered. If there is a talent-related need in the business, there’s a team member diligently working against it. Collaboration is also highly encouraged. It’s not rare for me to get an article or piece of data from a team member without me asking for it only because they thought it might help one of my projects. We all work very hard to make a positive impact on our business and our people.

]]> At Citi, Human Resources is a function that sits side-by-side with the business in order to proactively identify and serve its needs in a timely fashion. Having a Business graduate degree has enabled me to communicate with our business partners (our clients) in their own language and thus understand their needs much better. Being able to understand the financials, budgets, marketing models, project planning, operations, and the enablers and inhibitors of the business has helped me to understand what takes priority in the business and what type of development and tools are necessary for our leaders to meet deliverables and sustain growth. It also gives me a clear idea of what resources will be needed in the short and long-term.

]]> Some of the most useful skills in my position are: Project Management, Communication, Analytical and Negotiation skills. Project Management skills are important because I work with several large projects at the same time, which involve different businesses in different locations. Being able to complete projects within budget, in a timely manner and according to specifications is crucial. Communication skills, both oral and written, are also important because ideas and strategies have to be explained clearly and concisely to the business partners, so that talent initiatives are successful. I’ve also found that Analytical skills have helped me much in my current position because NAO&T is a very data-driven organization, but in order to utilize data to its fullest I have to dissect, understand and interpret data and utilize this in the most effective form toward the initiatives I am working on. Finally, Negotiation skills are constantly necessary whether it is negotiating the cost for services from a vendor or negotiating which projects to prioritize first with a limited budget.

]]> Citi has a strong commitment to the communities we serve. In my career with Citi I have been able to participate in diverse programs serving the community such as: Habitat for Humanity (building houses for low-income families), Susan Komen Race for the Cure (race to collect funds to fight breast cancer), Citi K-3 Literacy Program (reading to kids from grades Kindergarten to 3rd), Citi Adopt-a-Highway (cleaning highways surrounding Citi premises) and participated as a panelist in the Academy of Finance (AOF) Summer Jobs Breakfast (audience of 200 high school students employed by Citi in New York City during Summer 2006). In addition, I have participated in Professional Development activities through Citi’s sponsorship of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) and I helped create the Citi Hispanic Employee Network in San Antonio, Texas.

]]> As an HRMA, I have access to numerous developing tools. First and foremost, I have the ability to work on different roles in HR across businesses and different locations, including the international market. This experience allows me to learn and compare best practices and different cultures within Citi In addition to this, I have constant exposure and accessibility to Senior-level professionals in HR and in other functions of the business that are always willing to share their expertise, knowledge of Citi and their own advise on career advancement, allowing me to learn from the best and brightest. Finally, the HRMA program also provides numerous resources that support the development of HR core competencies, such as: Professional Human Resources (PHR) Certification, Annual HRMA Conference, tailored Online Learning curriculum, HRMA Link Program (Lunch and Learn with HR Seniors) and an extensive Alumni network. The career possibilities in Citi are infinite and I look forward to what is yet to come.

]]> Unfortunately, I do not have as much free time as I would like, but when I am free I enjoy painting, exercising, reading, dining out with friends and traveling. One of my passions since I was a teenager is painting. I use most media, but my favorite is oil. I also enjoy exercising because it makes me feel healthy and happy. Zumba and kick-boxing are among my favorite work-out sessions. In addition to exercising the body I think it’s important to exercise the mind, so I try to read at least one book per month. However, business books don’t count toward this goal. Some of my favorite books are: The Kite Runner, The World is Flat and Love in Times of Cholera. I love dining out and some of my favorite cuisines are Mexican, Italian and Chinese. However, I’m always up to trying new food any of my friends recommends. As far as traveling, I like to get out any time there’s an opportunity. I find it fascinating to explore new places, learn new cultures and mingle with locals.

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Name: Angeles Cordova

Title: Human Resources Management Associate

Education: MBA: University of Texas at San Antonio / BBA in Human Resources and International Business

Program: Human Resources

Level: graduate

Region: North America

If asked about your career at a dinner party, how would you describe it?: I would use an analogy to describe my career with Citi and would describe it as a five-course meal in which the menu is always different and really good. A five-course meal is regarded as a quality meal. It starts light and small. Then, it gradually starts getting heartier. As you go through different plates you like your food more and more and just when you think you’re completely satisfied and think you can’t eat anything more you discover that the best is yet to come: dessert! And when you’re finally done, it is such a satisfying experience to sit back and sip on your coffee. Of course, a five-course meal is only enjoyable if you’re surrounded by good company and perhaps enjoying a show. Plus, you can enjoy an exquisite five-course meal as often as you want and in any location or restaurant.
How would you describe your team and the people you work with?: I would describe my team as a group of very intelligent, driven and innovative individuals with a strong passion for what they do. It is a small group in which new ideas are encouraged, shared and considered. If there is a talent-related need in the business, there’s a team member diligently working against it. Collaboration is also highly encouraged. It’s not rare for me to get an article or piece of data from a team member without me asking for it only because they thought it might help one of my projects. We all work very hard to make a positive impact on our business and our people.
How do you apply your degree to what you're doing now?: At Citi, Human Resources is a function that sits side-by-side with the business in order to proactively identify and serve its needs in a timely fashion. Having a Business graduate degree has enabled me to communicate with our business partners (our clients) in their own language and thus understand their needs much better. Being able to understand the financials, budgets, marketing models, project planning, operations, and the enablers and inhibitors of the business has helped me to understand what takes priority in the business and what type of development and tools are necessary for our leaders to meet deliverables and sustain growth. It also gives me a clear idea of what resources will be needed in the short and long-term.
What skills have you found to be the most useful in your position?: Some of the most useful skills in my position are: Project Management, Communication, Analytical and Negotiation skills. Project Management skills are important because I work with several large projects at the same time, which involve different businesses in different locations. Being able to complete projects within budget, in a timely manner and according to specifications is crucial. Communication skills, both oral and written, are also important because ideas and strategies have to be explained clearly and concisely to the business partners, so that talent initiatives are successful. I’ve also found that Analytical skills have helped me much in my current position because NAO&T is a very data-driven organization, but in order to utilize data to its fullest I have to dissect, understand and interpret data and utilize this in the most effective form toward the initiatives I am working on. Finally, Negotiation skills are constantly necessary whether it is negotiating the cost for services from a vendor or negotiating which projects to prioritize first with a limited budget.
What non-work related activities do you get involved in through Citi (community, mentoring, charity)?: Citi has a strong commitment to the communities we serve. In my career with Citi I have been able to participate in diverse programs serving the community such as: Habitat for Humanity (building houses for low-income families), Susan Komen Race for the Cure (race to collect funds to fight breast cancer), Citi K-3 Literacy Program (reading to kids from grades Kindergarten to 3rd), Citi Adopt-a-Highway (cleaning highways surrounding Citi premises) and participated as a panelist in the Academy of Finance (AOF) Summer Jobs Breakfast (audience of 200 high school students employed by Citi in New York City during Summer 2006). In addition, I have participated in Professional Development activities through Citi’s sponsorship of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) and I helped create the Citi Hispanic Employee Network in San Antonio, Texas.
How has Citi supported your career development?: As an HRMA, I have access to numerous developing tools. First and foremost, I have the ability to work on different roles in HR across businesses and different locations, including the international market. This experience allows me to learn and compare best practices and different cultures within Citi In addition to this, I have constant exposure and accessibility to Senior-level professionals in HR and in other functions of the business that are always willing to share their expertise, knowledge of Citi and their own advise on career advancement, allowing me to learn from the best and brightest. Finally, the HRMA program also provides numerous resources that support the development of HR core competencies, such as: Professional Human Resources (PHR) Certification, Annual HRMA Conference, tailored Online Learning curriculum, HRMA Link Program (Lunch and Learn with HR Seniors) and an extensive Alumni network. The career possibilities in Citi are infinite and I look forward to what is yet to come.
What do you enjoy doing outside work?: Unfortunately, I do not have as much free time as I would like, but when I am free I enjoy painting, exercising, reading, dining out with friends and traveling. One of my passions since I was a teenager is painting. I use most media, but my favorite is oil. I also enjoy exercising because it makes me feel healthy and happy. Zumba and kick-boxing are among my favorite work-out sessions. In addition to exercising the body I think it’s important to exercise the mind, so I try to read at least one book per month. However, business books don’t count toward this goal. Some of my favorite books are: The Kite Runner, The World is Flat and Love in Times of Cholera. I love dining out and some of my favorite cuisines are Mexican, Italian and Chinese. However, I’m always up to trying new food any of my friends recommends. As far as traveling, I like to get out any time there’s an opportunity. I find it fascinating to explore new places, learn new cultures and mingle with locals.

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