Citigroup

For Sabrina Washington and Jayson Canady, Citigroup is the perfect place to combine their passion for business and financial services with their desire to travel the world. As the leading global financial services company, with 327,000 co-workers and customer accounts in more than 100 countries, the opportunities are endless. Down the line, they both hope to be able to develop as managers and leaders— somewhere in the world.

Q: You both traveled a lot …

SW: Yes, before I got my MBA I served in the Peace Corps in Mali in West Africa. Then I went into real estate development.

JC: Yeah, before I got my MBA, in all I spent six years abroad—three living in Puerto Rico and also traveling to London, Mexico City, and Spain before that, with my previous employer. I’d like to have the opportunity to travel again.

Q: So, was it the international opportunities that attracted you to Citigroup?

SW: For me, the international opportunities were key, but the people and the management training program felt right from the start.

JC: Definitely. I was looking for a company with a large global presence. Before school started, I met a Citi recruiter at a career fair and got really excited about the opportunities in its Management Associate Leadership Development Programs. The rest is history. I accepted an internship as a summer associate in Citi Cards and also a full-time position there, where I hope that within the first two years I’ll be able to do a rotation abroad.

Q: What would you say your expectations were coming into Citigroup?

JC: I was expecting the chance to try new things, make an impact, have the opportunity to learn about the different aspects of this big company, and to move around quickly. Also, I was expecting to learn from some of the best in financial services to prepare myself for a management or leadership role. This company prides itself on developing great leaders.

SW: I agree. In markets and banking you’re matched with a senior and a junior mentor as an intern. Then, when you get to be full-time there’s a mentor program where you are assigned a senior banker who’s not in your industry group, so you get to broaden your network within the organization. You can also be as candid as you want to be with them about your career.

Q: Sabrina, you’re an associate in global financial institutions and corporate banking. What do you do exactly?

SW: I act as a support banker to two senior bankers. Basically they initiate conversations on financial solutions for challenges facing corporate clients in their relationship portfolio. My area is about corporate finance, but just as important, it is about building trusted financial advisor relationships. The treasury and finance teams of our clients will lob questions to us—and us to
them—throughout the day, so we’re constantly in contact. If we’re doing a pitch on a financial product or solution, it can get pretty hectic.

Q: Down the line, where would you each like to be?

JC: I’m just hoping in five years I’m in a position where I’m responsible for managing people and/or a piece of the business, and viewed as a leader in the organization; whether it’s here in New York or elsewhere. Although after three years in Puerto Rico, warm weather does sound nice….maybe Latin America… South America…who knows?

SW: Oh, I’ll go anywhere. It doesn’t matter.

JC: Really? Even the cold?

SW: Mmm hmm. Doesn’t matter. I’m just hoping I’ll develop an expertise I can take with me anywhere. I love traveling. I love meeting new people.

CITI, 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, securities brokerage, and wealth management. Citi’s brand names include Citibank, CitiFinancial, Primerica, Citi Smith Barney and Banamex. Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com or www.citi.com.