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Developing Skills Through Networking

At Citizens, we recognize everyone’s career journey is unique. We encourage colleagues to follow their interests and curiosity to explore new opportunities within Citizens when they’re ready for the next chapter. With programs, upskilling and networking opportunities, advice and guidance, you can build the career you want with us. In 2023, almost 30% of colleagues accepted new roles internally.

Meet Maria, an Engagement Manager at Citizens, and learn how her appetite to learn new skills, gain new experiences and expand her network helped her unlock her full potential.

A few years ago, I was looking to leave my career as a teacher. I knew I wanted to make a career move that would challenge me and help me grow both as a professional and as an individual.

I had recently moved and was scouting out new banks. Citizens was my first stop – I had heard really impressive things. I had a conversation with the manager, who informed me that there were several career opportunities with Citizens. He immediately put me in touch with the Regional Manager. Soon after, I had become both a Citizens client and a colleague!

As a branch manager, the correlation between colleague well-being, performance and customer satisfaction was evident.

I started my career with Citizens as a Branch Manager and quickly realized that engaging, recognizing, and motivating my team improved both my mental health and the mental health of my team. The more I celebrated big and small wins, as well as invested in my colleagues’ development, the happier we all were. The correlation between colleague well-being, performance and customer satisfaction was evident. We were delivering great results and saw an increase in customer satisfaction. 

From here on out, I became passionate about spotlighting and promoting my colleagues’ success and their incredible efforts. Their work ethic inspired me to find different ways to showcase their commitment outside of just our branch. That’s when I discovered LinkedIn – LinkedIn amplified my ability to celebrate my team while also opening the door to networking across Citizens.

I challenged myself to think outside the box and get out of my comfort zone and that rewarded me with even more connections and development of crucial skills! 

In 2019, after building relationships across the enterprise, I was offered the pilot Change Agent role supporting the Distribution Customer Interaction Model (DCIM) Retail Banking Transformation. My manager’s and mentor’s support were crucial during this time. They helped me understand the benefits of taking this career risk. I challenged myself to think outside-the-box and get out of my comfort zone and that rewarded me with even more new work connections and development of crucial skills! 

As the DCIM Retail Banking opportunity began to wind down (it was not permanent), I found myself in a position where I needed to figure out what was next. I signed up for Office Hours, a complimentary service for colleagues where Citizens Talent Acquisition experts hold 30-minute chats to answer questions on resume tips, job searching at Citizens, interviewing, the application process and more. I truly considered that moment a turning point. The Citizens recruiter helped me visualize what my potential next step could be. Patiently, we explored different opportunities and departments that may interest me. I was inspired to connect with the Head of Communications (which was a previous connection I had made while networking). It required a level of confidence that I didn’t know I had! She connected me with a manager on her team who was hiring. And here I am today, working as an Engagement Manager and leading multiple engagement programs that ensure our colleagues feel inspired and motivated.

I’m always going to be learning new skills, gaining new experiences, and networking across the company.

I love my current role and I’m always going to be learning new skills, gaining new experiences and networking across the company. There’s so much potential to grow and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to do it at Citizens. I would not be here without the guidance and help of some exceptional colleagues. I will be eternally grateful for their support and encouragement.   

Read more stories showcasing the unique paths our colleagues have taken to achieve career success.

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