Help!! PwC vs Citi?

I am debating between 2 very great internship. HR Analyst with Citi or Management Consulting internship with PwC. I felt like it was more competitive to get into Citi and I am going to have to work really hard summer at Citi. However, at PwC the atmosphere was a lot different. I really enjoyed the culture, how friendly everyone was and the work life balance. Both internships are 10 weeks. I am wondering which company would make my resume stand out for future employment opportunities. I know it really depends on what my end goal and desire for career is, but I have always equally liked the idea of going management consulting or HR. I would really appreciate any advice.

 
gaoxx385:
HR Analyst with Citi or Management Consulting internship with PwC.

Citi HR as in working in their HR department?

If so, the PwC role will look much better if you're looking for a career in finance.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, post threads about how to do it on WSO.
 

My end goal is not necessarily Finance. I just really like the projects that Management Consulting and HR does. I was told by a friend that Citi sounds more prestigious than PwC. Is that true?I feel like if it was a full time offer, I would go with PwC b/c there is more of a work-life balance but this is only a internship for 10 weeks PwC is in Minneapolis and Citi is in NY if that makes a difference. Not sure what PwC's salary is. I am suppose to get the offer letter after this weekend. Does anyone know if PwC pays its interns OT?

 

My end goal is not necessarily Finance. I just really like the projects that Management Consulting and HR does. I was told by a friend that Citi sounds more prestigious than PwC. Is that true?I feel like if it was a full time offer, I would go with PwC b/c there is more of a work-life balance but this is only a internship for 10 weeks PwC is in Minneapolis and Citi is in NY if that makes a difference. Not sure what PwC's salary is. I am suppose to get the offer letter after this weekend. Does anyone know if PwC pays its interns OT?

 
Best Response

When you say "HR analyst" do you mean you would be performing human resources functions OR do you mean that you'd be doing analysis of HR's operations.

If you do human resource work, such as gathering fingerprints and whatnot, then it's an inferior support job that will not give you the same options as management consulting. Do not take such a job unless you want to work in human resources. If you do take the job in human resources, realize that you will most likely never do project management work or anything remotely close to consulting. You will also have no realistic chance of every transferring to consulting. HR is a support function. Period. You're a glorified admin at best, and will get no respect from the other groups.

If you do HR operations analysis, then that's a form of consulting work and will give you very good options. However, even if this is the case, working at a management consultancy will usually give you better options most of the time given that's the focus of the firm. If you are not happy as a consultant, you can apply to HR jobs with confidence that you will likely get them. Consulting is revenue generating work and therefore they are in the driver seat and have the power within the firm. They get paid more, they have better career options, and if they like they can go to lower level support work easily. It's always easier to go from the A league down.

Given the arguments above I STRONGLY RECOMMEND you take the job at PwC because 1) it's better work 2) it pays more 3) you will have far more career options

DO NOT choose a job just because of the perceived status of the institution. When I see people turning down front office offers in lieu of a back office role at GS, I want to smack them. Do you want to be a support role at a bank, or an actual real role at a consulting firm? You can always transfer after a year or so, but keep in mind that you will transfer to the job FUNCTION. So if you're a consultant at one firm, you can go to in house consulting / project management at another firm.....but if you are a HR slave at one firm, you have no shot in hell at lateraling over to consulting at any firm. That's how it is, do not try to lie to yourself.

Look at the JOB FUNCTION not the INSTITUTION. If you take the HR job and then come on here whining how unhappy you are, you will not get any sympathy.

Get busy living
 
UFOinsider:

When you say "HR analyst" do you mean you would be performing human resources functions OR do you mean that you'd be doing analysis of HR's operations.

If you do human resource work, such as gathering fingerprints and whatnot, then it's an inferior support job that will not give you the same options as management consulting. Do not take such a job unless you want to work in human resources. If you do take the job in human resources, realize that you will most likely never do project management work or anything remotely close to consulting. You will also have no realistic chance of every transferring to consulting. HR is a support function. Period. You're a glorified admin at best, and will get no respect from the other groups.

If you do HR operations analysis, then that's a form of consulting work and will give you very good options. However, even if this is the case, working at a management consultancy will usually give you better options most of the time given that's the focus of the firm. If you are not happy as a consultant, you can apply to HR jobs with confidence that you will likely get them. Consulting is revenue generating work and therefore they are in the driver seat and have the power within the firm. They get paid more, they have better career options, and if they like they can go to lower level support work easily. It's always easier to go from the A league down.

Given the arguments above I STRONGLY RECOMMEND you take the job at PwC because 1) it's better work 2) it pays more 3) you will have far more career options

DO NOT choose a job just because of the perceived status of the institution. When I see people turning down front office offers in lieu of a back office role at GS, I want to smack them. Do you want to be a support role at a bank, or an actual real role at a consulting firm? You can always transfer after a year or so, but keep in mind that you will transfer to the job FUNCTION. So if you're a consultant at one firm, you can go to in house consulting / project management at another firm.....but if you are a HR slave at one firm, you have no shot in hell at lateraling over to consulting at any firm. That's how it is, do not try to lie to yourself.

Look at the JOB FUNCTION not the INSTITUTION. If you take the HR job and then come on here whining how unhappy you are, you will not get any sympathy.

Those two words exactly: Job function.

Especially in this case.

Fortes fortuna adiuvat.
 

You're welcome.

I'm hitting you over the head deliberately because I get the impression you don't yet understand how things work. If you're good enough to get the better job, take the better job, and you can adjust later depending on what you like....you will have the power to choose your fate.

Pay it forward and give good information to others when you can help :)

Get busy living
 

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Fortes fortuna adiuvat.

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