Citi Australia announces scholarship program winners for 2021

Citi Australia has awarded over $70,000 in scholarships to 11 female students in their penultimate year at university, giving them the chance to gain exposure to Citi and the finance industry.

The 11 recipients of Citi's Women's Scholarships, each receive a $6,500 fee grant and a place on Citi's 11-week Internship Program, commencing in November.

The Scholarship Programs are targeted at talented penultimate year female students interested in a career in financial services. The program, now in its 10th year, is also helping to ensure Citi has a consistent pipeline of female talent for its institutional business.

"Achieving gender diversity in some parts of the finance sector is challenging, says Citi Australia's Head of the Banking, Capital Markets and Advisory, Tony Osmond. "But we are making progress and the intern program and associated scholarships are helping us attract an increasing number of talented young women to the firm."

In 2020, females were 58% of Citi's intern cohort, up from 25% in 2017.

Citi Australia's Head of Markets and Securities Services, Luke Randell agreed. "The best thing we can do to improve gender diversity in the industry is give young people a better insight into what's involved in a career in financial services, so they can make an informed decision on whether they want to pursue that career."

Mr Randell said the internship experience at Citi provided unmatched learning opportunities.

"Working alongside a range of experienced colleagues for 11 weeks, the interns are able to ask questions, meet and speak with clients and other stakeholders, and rapidly gain insight into the type of work on offer at Citi and in the finance sector. Many of these students then join us as graduates the following year."

Previous Citi Scholarship winner, Madeline Catsoulis is now a graduate working in Citi's Banking, Capital Markets and Advisory function. She said the internship program was a great learning opportunity and provided a good insight into the finance sector. "The internship helped increase my understanding of how firms like Citi work with Australian companies, and it helped me decide what area of financial services I wanted to work in."

Citi's Women's Scholarships are awarded to female students based on a mix of academic results, interpersonal skills, and evidence of a desire to learn more about the finance sector.