Project: Life Success Stories |
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At CG, we help our employees maximize life by providing the flexibility and career development resources needed for each individual's success. As a "Best Place to Work," we see Project: Life in action every day and in many ways.
Project: Life Success Story – Bryan
Bryan was a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater student when he joined CG as an intern in January 1999. He then came on board as a full-time associate in May 2000. With the firm's support, and encouragement through CG's career development programs, Bryan is now a successful senior assurance manager after six years. He is also a very popular choice by less experienced staff to be their advisor and HOT Manager.
Bryan believes CG's Career Development Network and flexible work environment have been key in allowing him to maximize his life and achieve his great success. Bryan also attributes his success to the many growth opportunities available in his office.
Bryan's career development advisor/mentor is there for him when he needs him to be. Their relationship is informal, which Bryan prefers, and he likes the fact that he can meet with his advisor when he needs to. Sometimes it is three times in a week, and sometimes he goes a couple months without meeting. Bryan feels he has really learned a lot from his mentor and that he has benefited from the program.
Bryan also believes he has been successful at CG because of the flexibility CG provides. He likes to work in an environment where employees are trusted as professionals, and therefore, if he has a family commitment he knows it is okay to leave work early to make that family commitment and doesn't need to obtain approval from anyone. Bryan appreciates that as long as he meets CG's performance expectations, he can have freedom and flexibility in his position.
The last reason Bryan believes he has been successful at CG is because of the opportunities that are available. The Milwaukee office has a great group of people to work with and has experienced rapid growth. With strong people to delegate work to, and the growth in the office, Bryan has been given many opportunities early on in his career to run jobs on his own, work with some of the office's largest clients and participate in the proposal process much sooner than he would at other firms.
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Project: Life Success Story – Jacob
Jacob was an Arizona State University West student when he joined CG as an intern in January 2003. He then came on board as a full-time associate in May 2003. With the firm's support and encouragement through CG's career development programs, Jacob is now a successful manager in the firm's assurance practice. Jacob believes HOT Management and the Career Development Network have been key to his success, allowing him to maximize his life.
Jacob describes his relationships with his HOT manager and career development advisor as “flexible.” He utilizes these relationships as a formal and informal forum to openly ask questions and communicate ideas and the status of projects. His HOT manager and career development advisor are there for him when he needs assistance or guidance, but they also provide him the latitude he feels is necessary to learn and grow as a professional. Jacob says he has learned a lot from his career development relationships, and that he has greatly benefited from these programs.
Jacob also believes he has been successful at CG because of the career opportunities that are available. The Phoenix CG office has a great group of people to work with and has experienced rapid growth over the past few years. Jacob's attributes much of his success to his dedication to the "team," and the team's commitment to "Growth of our clients." Jacob has been given many opportunities early on in his career to run jobs on his own, work with some of the office's largest clients, and participate in the proposal process much sooner than he would at other firms.
Jacob's story truly illustrates our mission, "Growth of our people. Growth of our clients. All else follows."
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Project: Life Success Story – Airam
Airam was hired directly out of college to work in CG's Broomfield, Colorado office. Airam has been able to maximize CG's career development resources to grow from an associate to a sr. manager in five years. He is a true reflection of our mission statement, "Growth of our people."
A factor for Airam when deciding where to begin his career was the amount of personal attention he would receive at his future employer. Airam wanted a place where he could excel based on his own abilities and be recognized as an individual and not just as another number or person on a schedule. Days after Airam’s graduation from college he started his career with Clifton Gunderson as an associate for the assurance services department. Two years into his career Airam was successfully running many of his own jobs in a number of different industries, before being promoted to senior associate. After his second year as a senior associate he began his process of specialization in commercial assurance, and was ultimately promoted to manager. Airam attributed much of his success to those around him, where he continuously seeks and receives mentoring to help further his career and help develop the new associates.
Airam attributes his success and his ability to maximize life to many CG programs, including the Career Development Network (CDN), Clifton Gunderson University (CGU) and local office training/on-the-job training, HOT Management, and work/life balance.
Airam utilized the CDN to its fullest extent as an associate and senior associate, and continues to gain insight from the program as a manager. Early on in his career, Airam’s advisor was influential in helping Airam thrive. He relied on his advisor to provide candid perspectives on his development and act as an advocate for him. His advisors continue to be an important part of his career. He uses their perspectives and experiences to help him grow as a professional and advance in his career. CGU training courses are also important to Airam. They provide in-depth, real life, practical education that is specifically tailored to each stage of his career. CGU training also provides an opportunity for Airam to meet with peers from throughout the country and build lasting relationships that continue to this day. Local resources and on-the-job training are second to none, and Airam continues to draw on the extensive experience of his supervisors to further refine his own skills.
Airam has embraced HOT Management and has enjoyed learning how to be a better manager. The program has taught him how to interact and manage multiple people and tasks, further refining his own skills in the process.
Airam praises the work/life balance environment that CG has created and continues to foster. He knows CG understands that each employee is an individual, has a life outside of work, and is truly priority number one.
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Project: Life Success Story – Carrie
Carrie joined CG in 1998, working for the accounting services department doing write-up work. Carrie remained in that position for about three years, then moved to the technology department for about two years. In 2003, she transferred to special district services as a senior associate. She was promoted to senior manager, in four years.
Carrie worked in private industry for 14 years before another CG employee recommend she apply with the firm. After being hired, Carrie was allowed to transfer between departments, giving her the opportunity to find her niche. Her vast knowledge and ability have made her a go-to person for many employees. She loves working for CG and feels the firm genuinely believes in its mission statement and wants employees to be successful.
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