Positivity is Contagious

Positivity is contagious. I have been through some challenging times in my life but the one thing that has always pulled me through is my positivity. Whether it is at work or with friends, what I began to notice is that a positive mindset will more often than not lead to positive results and a true passion for whatever it is I have set myself to accomplish. How can this so called “positive energy” serve as an asset whilst seeking a job? How can a positive mindset propel you up the corporate ladder at your workplace? How can a positive attitude help you stand out from the crowd? I am glad you asked.  

New Blogger's Introduction - Francis Claude

Hi, my name's Francis - I'm an Associate in the Consulting practice in PwC's Calgary office. I am part of the graduate program which is a 2 year rotational program between different areas of consulting at PwC.

Since I joined PwC in September 2012, I have had the chance to rotate between 4 competencies; operations, financial services, people and change and sustainability and climate change.

While rotating through different competencies, I got the opportunity to learn from the best and gain working knowledge including ‘Lean management’ implementation tools and techniques, team building through Catalyst, basic procurement development strategies and network design models. 

As with most of my colleagues on the program, I am not from Calgary. I grew up in Montréal, moved to Pennsylvania where I completed a degree in economics and played college football, before moving back to Montréal and Québec city.

When I heard about the opportunity in Calgary, I couldn’t refuse. I was offered to work for one of the top employers in Canada in a city where the economy is great and where I only need to drive 45 minutes before getting to the Rockies! Although I had to travel for 7 weeks to Montréal for a project this winter, I still got to ski Jasper, Sunshine, Banff, Lake Louise, Fernie, Whitefish and Kicking Horse!

I look forward to blogging and answering your comments and questions twice a week on Tuesday and Friday mornings.

2013 – Welcome to Your Most Unforgettable Year!

Welcome to 2013! For some, this year will be a continuation of accolades and achievements from 2012. For others, 1/1/13 marked the first page in a new chapter of personal triumph and success. What is to be written in this new chapter will be driven by three essential traits: passion, dedication and commitment. Although the two stories above are very unique, one of which is a continuation of success achieved in 2012 whilst the other is a clean slate to a new story to be written in 2013, both carry the same message: 2013 is the year for you to stand out amongst your peers and colleagues. Read on to find out how you can turn this “New Year resolution” into an everyday reality by following three personal tips which have made me stand out from my peers.

Hear from the 2012 Consulting New Associates

My colleagues and I will echo that the Consulting New Associates have ignited our Consulting Practice with youth, enthusiasm, fresh and brilliant talent and they have simply been amazing to work with!  We have recently completed hiring for the 2013 Consulting New Associates and I wanted to say a special congratulations to all of you who have accepted your offer with us.  Continue reading below to find out more about what the 2012 Consulting New Associates have to say about PwC.

I've sent out 3 questions to the 2012 Consulting New Associates to obtain their feedback about their PwC experiences in the past 2 months.  Here are some of quotes directly from them:

Motivating a Brilliant Future

How does one remain motivated to sustain a forward-looking mentality? In fact, what is motivation to begin with and what triggers motivation? Personally, I believe motivation is a factor of three variables, which I like to refer to as the “3 P’s:” people, persistence and the end product. Motivation, simply put, is the aspiration of an individual to do and/or achieve something. It is the craving that you feel in your mind and body when you lust for something you really want to accomplish. It is what makes you feel restless at night as you think about that one thing you want to achieve. I want this blog post to serve as a reminder to both you and I to never give up hope or  lose confidence in our abilities and aspirations to achieve certain goals. Remember, where there’s a will, there’s a way.  

Everything is Bigger...

...in Texas! Just arrived in Houston, Texas to begin my 6-month secondment with the Houston office. I am very excited to meet new people, experience new adventures and see what life in Texas is all about. The one thing I can say about my very brief time here (arrived last week) is that the people at PwC are consistently helpful and great to work with...and of course, everything is MUCH bigger in Texas.

Post-Recruiting Round-Up – Everyone is a Winner at PwC!

This year’s recruiting season, as with the case of many others, was very competitive. I personally met numerous outstanding candidates from a variety of universities across the country. As you can imagine, thousands apply and only a fraction of those get hired. However, one thing to keep in mind and what I like to personally believe is that everyone is a winner at PwC, regardless if you landed an offer with the firm or not.

Happy Anniversary PwC!!

Hey Everyone,

Happy Anniversary PwC! 

It will be exactly two years since I started with PwC on October 4, 2010.  This got me thinking about my past experiences and where am I going.  It’s just like yesterday that I started with the firm.  Man...I am getting a little sentimental.  

My First Day
I was very nervous for about a week before I started at PwC as I wasn’t sure what to expect.  Nevertheless, October 4, 2010 approached very quickly and before I knew it I was riding the elevator in the Richardson Building to the 23rd floor.  When I arrived I entered the large corner board room to meet the 20 other new associates that were starting on the first day.  During the first week we learned a lot about the firm’s computer systems, firm policies, control environment, auditing and of course the coffee machine.  And it didn’t end there, at the each day we were all instructed to get out of our chairs.  Not to leave the building silly...to play catch obviously.  A ball was passed to everyone in the group for which each person recited one thing that they learned that day.  Before I knew it I had my first week under my belt. 

First Client Assignment as a New Associate
Shortly after training finished I was assigned to my first client engagement.  There were 5 team members on the engagement and I was the new associate.  The experienced associate took me under their wing and introduced me to everyone at the client site.  Then they helped me get started on my first test (We call the EGA’s or evidence gathering activities).  I asked so many questions that I felt like I was being bothersome.  I shouldn’t have been concerned as this is the normal learning curve.  It is not expected that anyone will know everything on their first day.  That client assignment went so fast and before I knew it I was rolling onto my next engagement. 

Promoted to Experienced Associate
I was promoted to experienced associate during the summer of 2011.  With this came a bit more responsibility but this was not a problem as I was prepared for everything they threw at me.  I was given the assignment to help plan an engagement and was assigned a tougher section of the audit file.  In addition, I was given the responsibility for being the first contact for the new associate that had been assigned to the engagement.  This was a great year; my knowledge allowed me to adjust the audit approach in some of my sections improving the engagements efficiency. 

Promoted to Senior Associate
This year I was promoted to Senior Associate.  In this role I have moved from managing an individual section of the file that I was assigned to managing an entire team.  This includes communicating with the team to ensure that we are all on track and coach the entire team.  Moving into this position is a big jump for me but not to worry I am prepared.   I have only been in this position for about a month now.  I will keep you posted how this progresses. 

Unlimited Future
There are many options for my future.  I could remain in the audit and assurance group and pursue manager, move into tax department, move into valuations in the consulting and deals department or move to start in the PwC investment management practice in Toronto.  That’s where my career has taken me in the last 2 year at PwC and where I could be going in the future.  So enough about me, where do think you will be in five years?  Leave me a comment where you see yourself in the next five years.

As summer winds down...

It has been a few weeks since my last blog. The summer is flying by and life has been extremely busy! I have spent the last 3 weeks in Toronto working and then moved into a new place immediately when I returned. There is never a dull moment around here.  However I do have exciting news to share.... I have been accepted into the US secondment program and will be heading to Texas in just over a month! I am super excited about this opportunity I have been given at PwC

Insider's Tip: The PwC Way To Network

I love having direct access to our PwC Calgary Talent Acquisition Specialist, Ashley Wicks, because I can obtain and communicate the information YOU need to successfully complete the PwC Recruitment process.  The PwC Calgary campus recruitment events have started; here are some tips to get noticed: