Mark
Senior Financial Analyst
College Connection Program: Financial Leadership Program (FLP)
Education: MBA, Babson College
"The two most important considerations while searching for career opportunities were being in a challenging work environment and, considering the economic situation, becoming part of an organization with solid business fundamentals. AT&T is clearly one of the strongest companies in the world and its Development Programs provide the opportunities to work on challenging and valuable projects. Coming from a demanding MBA program, it was very important to manage my time well. Completing the necessary research and talking with the right people were essential to my search process so that I knew I was identifying the right opportunities to focus my efforts. Being well prepared and anticipating industry/competitor questions in an interview really helps you stand out as a candidate.
"One thing that really stood out about AT&T's Development opportunities was the long and developed history of the programs. AT&T has been a leader in innovating management development programs which provided me comfort that I would gain the most from this experience. Being able to participate in various roles within the organization is extremely important in developing a broad understanding of any business. Additionally, it was clear that all AT&T employees look upon the development programs very favorably and that I would be given the opportunity to be a valuable asset to the organization.
"During my time at AT&T, I have found that managers have really trusted my judgment and knowledge even while being new to the company. When given a new project, my managers have given me the flexibility to handle the project the best way I see fit while always providing me with guidance when asked. I very much prefer this approach because it has helped me learn about the business very quickly while forcing me to think strategically and efficiently.
"Being very new to the AT&T organization, I have found that there is a lot to learn about how AT&T does business while trying to gain a general understanding of the industry and competitive landscape. I believe the best way to catch up quickly is to jump into projects and ask a lot of questions along the way. AT&T is full of seasoned industry veterans that are always willing to lend a helping hand. The development programs are also great because they allow you to see the business from many different sides, which is essential for developing a well rounded view of any operation. Over the next three years, through the Financial Leadership Program, I am excited about experiencing different roles and working in various divisions so that I can identify which path would best fit my interests going forward. I am developing valuable relationships with mid and senior level management throughout the organization and plan on utilizing these sources for insight and career advice so that I can develop a well thought out career path."
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