Citigroup (NYSE: C), the leading global financial services company, has some 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 100 countries, providing consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, insurance, securities brokerage, and asset management. Major brand names under Citigroup's trademark red umbrella include Citibank, CitiFinancial, Primerica, Smith Barney, and Banamex. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com.

EMPLOYEES: Citigroup has 300,000 employees worldwide.

FOR MBAS: At Citigroup, we are committed to the diversity of our workforce. And with a presence in more than 100 countries, where more 98 percent of our employees are hired locally, we are perhaps the most diverse company in the world. The diversity is a source of strength for our employees, clients and the communities where we live and work.

WEBSITE: www.citigroup.com

Why did you choose to join Citigroup?

For three reasons: the broad scope of the consumer bank, Citigroup's vast international presence and its strong brand image around the world. I was looking for a place that could provide me with a plethora of opportunities within the same company. Citigroup does that. I want to be a business manager and that role has a wide range of responsibilities. It's almost like running a small company. To do that, I need to be exposed to different functions and different types of work. Citigroup affords me those opportunities early in my career.

How would you describe the culture at Citigroup?

The culture varies somewhat between the different business groups but one thing they all have in common is the quality of the people. They are extremely smart and hardworking individuals who adapt quickly to change.

What is the best thing about working at Citigroup?

The opportunities seem endless. The only obstacles are the limitations I place on myself. I can chart my own course here and that is unique for a large company. In addition, my rotational program exposes me to four different businesses and four different functions – all in a two-year period. It is fairly new – only about two years – and the leaders of the Global Consumer Group were the driving force behind creating it. They act as our sponsors and are very involved and dedicated to ensuring the program's success.

What is the value of diversity in your work?

I cannot overemphasize the value of diversity in my work. A mix of backgrounds and experiences are necessary ingredients for rich discussions that ultimately lead to the best products and services. Our customers are the primary beneficiaries of Citigroup's commitment to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce. From a personal standpoint, diversity makes Citigroup an interesting and fun place to work for those   interested in working with people from different cultures.

Why should ambitious, career-minded minority students target Citigroup as a future employer?

The career opportunities at Citigroup are unparalleled in the industry. This company values talented individuals and is committed to developing their employees. Citigroup, formed in 1998, is a relatively young entity and there is plenty of room for strong leaders to thrive in this organization.

What made you choose Citigroup as an employer?

I chose Citigroup because I wanted to work for a leading corporate and investment bank with a broad range of corporate finance products and multiple capabilities in capital markets issuance. Additionally, I wanted to work for a firm with strong deal flow and a top-notch reputation. As one of the largest financial services companies in the world; Citigroup has allowed me to hone the skills I learned at Columbia Business School and has presented numerous opportunities for me to work on interesting, sophisticated capital markets transactions.

What was your first day on the job like?

My first day on the job was unique. I was asked to stand in for a Senior Associate on an important transaction and was immediately given substantial responsibility for managing the deal. Specifically, I performed a complex financial analysis of a large client and created a presentation that was subsequently delivered to that client. While this experience is somewhat atypical of a traditional first day at Citigroup, it was a great learning experience and gave me the opportunity to prove myself early in my career.

What are the first weeks usually like for young graduates joining the company?

New hires typically go through a rigorous training program; individuals who have completed undergraduate degrees train for about 10 weeks, while those with MBAs train for about 14 weeks. The program focuses primarily on financial statement analysis and risk, with an emphasis on spreadsheet modeling and analytical writing. Citigroup's corporate finance training program is considered the best on Wall Street and prepares new employees to tackle the rigors of working in a large financial institution.

What is the best thing about working at Citigroup?

The best thing about working at Citigroup is opportunity one is afforded to work on numerous diverse and complex transactions. Citigroup has strong capabilities in a breadth of different  products; on any given day, I may be working on an acquisition financing, a bank market syndication, a debt issuance, or a derivative transaction. As a result, the learning curve never flattens and I am consistently challenged.

How would you describe the culture at Citigroup?

The culture at Citigroup is client-focused and team-oriented. Citigroup employees are intelligent, hard-working professionals who are dedicated to finding the best solutions for their clients' strategic and financial needs. While teamwork is an important component of Citigroup's overall success, the culture also encourages entrepreneurial thinking. A constant flow of ideas is essential for problem solving, and Citigroup fosters an environment of innovation.

Why are minority students important to your company's success?

Citigroup's clients have become increasingly diverse over time, and for the bank as an institution to be successful, Citigroup must reflect its clients' diversity. Minority professionals are also important to Citigroup because they bring different experiences and viewpoints to the fore. By approaching a problem from myriad angles, we can successfully develop the best solutions for our clients.

What would you say are the greatest challenges facing minority students entering corporate America?

I believe that the greatest challenge facing minority students entering corporate America today stems from the dearth of senior-level minority professionals in corporations across the country. Wall Street, in particular, has very few minorities at the higher levels of management. In order for minorities to succeed in corporate America, we need executives who can act as role models and advisors. Without senior-level minorities to fill these roles, minority students will have a much harder time navigating their way up the corporate ladder.