Sanketi's TLP experience

The two of us went to the University of Florida for MS in Computer Science. Even though we have known each other for over one and half years, it is during TLP Bootcamp that I got to know her personally and she is indeed a great friend to have. Here is what Sanketi has to say about her TLP experience:

How has your experience been so far working on your first rotation project and what are your day-to-day responsibilities?

It is one of those first few projects within Citi to adopt new methodology and everyone within and out of my project is committed for its success. I have chosen the PMO track where I assist in keeping track of Business process and use case schedule. Also, I play the role of a Business Analyst within one of the teams and work with our Business partners to capture Generation specific requirements.

You have a pretty heavy technical background and I noticed that you have chosen the CTO track. What kinds of position are you looking for your second rotation?

I wanted to target improving my non-technical skills and hence, chose my first rotation to be PMO. Next rotation onwards I plan to focus on strong technical projects in different areas- Design and Development, Architecture, Testing - that will provide me significant exposure and expand my technical know-how.

What is your advice/tips for the potential TLPs?

I would ask potential TLPs to feel free to demonstrate their creativity, understand the reason and need for a great program like TLP and understand how its success can benefit both – the candidates and the organization.

Sanketi, thanks a lot for your time :)

Second Round Interviews - Class of 2008

Picture source: cartoonstock.com

Second round interviews for the TLP candidates for the incoming class of 2008, was held on Nov 9^th at the Omni Hotel, downtown of Jacksonville Florida. A dinner was arranged the night before, giving the candidates a chance to meet current TLPs and some senior level management within Citi. Among the senior management in attendance was Andrew Cawood, CIO of the Consumer Lending Group, who was also the guest speaker.

Dinner guests arrived around 6:30pm and had some time to socialize before dinner commenced. Dinner was kicked off around 7pm with the introduction of current Citi employees including TLPs. Andrew Cawood was then called on to speak during which he emphasized the importance of technology and Citi’s invested interest in the TLP program. He reaffirmed Citi’s goal to stay on course in its investment in technology despite the recent change in leadership.

Similar to last year’s 2^nd round dinner, the TLP candidates got the opportunity to show off their creativity and presentation skills. A competition was put up for each table to come up with some creative product, using different shaped plastics, and then attempt to pitch the product. All kinds of products where pitched from a Citi space station to an automated beer toy vehicle. Current TLPs were elected as judges and the winning pitch was a mobile ATM on wheels. That segment of the night gave for a good laugh and night was rounded off with instructions to the candidates on details of next day’s interview process.

Different schools were represented including University of Florida, University of Texas, Notre Dame and South Dakota State to name a few. In all about 42 candidates were scheduled to be in attendance and the dinner provided a great opportunity for the candidates to get a first taste of Citi and for us (TLPs) a first hand view of the incoming class.

Author: Fola (TLP Class of 2007)

Mentoring Program for TLPs

We had a mentor kick-off meeting this week. Although most of us already had one or two meetings with our respective mentors prior to this kick-off session, we learnt some valuable information on what to expect from the mentor-mentee relationship. It takes the two of them to keep the relationship alive. The mentee definitely has the responsibility to make sure that he/she asks for advice and suggestions. One can learn a lot about how the organization functions and what steps to take to quickly move up the ladder from the mentor. Having career goals is very important and having a guide to help you take the path towards attaining your goal is a gift! It is only wise to make the best use of this relationship :)

Picture source: pwcs.edu

I had a meeting with my mentor today and it went pretty well. We spoke about my current rotation responsibilities, manager change and my transition and about my next rotation possibilities. It was great talking about possible project management positions to my mentor who has been in a managerial position for 15 or so years.

Tim's experiences as a TLP

Tim in his cubicle

It is great to have a fellow TLP sit right next to you. Tim O'Neil and I have conversations over the cubicle walls and have some good laughs. Here is what Tim has to say:

Tim, tell me a little about your background - educational and professional

Education: Bachelor and Master of Music – Violin Performance and Music Composition; Master of Science – Information Systems. All degrees were completed at the University of Cincinnati

Professional: 1 year as a hardware technician/desktop support/web developer, 2 years as a “1-man IT Department” in a small company (functioning primarily as a System/LAN Administrator and Web Developer), 5 years teaching/mentoring music students of all ages

Like a few other TLPs, you worked for Citigroup as an intern for 6 months. Do you find any difference(s) between being an intern and a full-time employee in terms of roles and things you learn/have learnt?

The roles are completely different, although the scope of work within the internship was certainly of rotation-caliber. The internship helped most by allowing me to start building my network and becoming familiar with the corporate and site-specific environments at Citi (as well as the NAIT org structure). Now, in my current role, I can focus almost solely on working up my areas for opportunity and filling my skill/experience gaps.

You are working in a Governance role for Citi Infrastructure. How do you find it so far? Do you feel you have been given enough responsibilities?

I enjoy having a higher-level view of the entire NAIT Infrastructure organization from a service-oriented perspective. The biggest challenge is being able to work primarily at the tactical level and knowing when to dive into the operational level to address issues. It is also an interesting dynamic to solicit Manager- and Director-level folks on deliverables for strategic initiatives rather than interfacing with individual contributors on a project. I feel my level of responsibility/ownership/accountability is extremely high – for example, there have been occasions where I have received a call directly from our EVP/CIO.

Tell us about your recruiting experience for the TLP program at the University of Cincinnati?

I – along with several other Blue Ash-based TLPs – was involved with nearly every phase of the process (except actual interviewing). Being that we are “subject matter experts currently living the TLP experience,” our feedback was constantly solicited and we were considered valuable members to the team. Our Blue Ash site leaders (who served as the University Captains) are extremely knowledgeable, personable, and engaging. I believe that our great site culture serves as a testament to their outstanding qualities, and that they function as excellent representatives towards the TLP recruiting efforts.

Your thoughts on the TLP program and any advice or suggestions for the incoming/potential TLPs?

The TLP program is young and there is a lot of genuine enthusiasm both from within the group and from the surrounding NAIT organization. Our class is in a unique position as to be able to heavily influence the program’s direction and success through our suggestions and actions. My advice to incoming TLPs is this: first, be open to change and growth; second, remember to keep your head up and understand where your role and projects fit into the bigger picture; and third, realize that personal development and achievement is a two-way street – success benefits both yourself and the program as a whole.

Thanks a lot Tim!

Employee Giving

Citigroup believes in giving back to the communities. There was a United Way Campaign where the different sites were raising money to help for the betterment of our society. The Blue Ash site had targeted to raise $30,000 but we raised $40,800.

At lunch

Entertaining Duncan :)

Yesterday we had lunch and then our site president gave away raffle prizes to 5 people. As a part of the fund raising campaign, we entertained a pig - Duncan!