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Elizabeth, Associate
Tax
Assignment: Assist in training PwC staff abroad on new IRS rules and regulations, so they can better serve their clients who hold U.S. securities.
Where: Milan, Italy
Background
"Our office in Milan was to conduct pre-audits of clients who hold U.S. securities and earn interest or dividend income that is taxable by the U.S., to make sure they were in compliance with new IRS rules and regulations. Our PwC staff in Italy needed training in the new laws, and I was asked to help conduct a series of sessions there."
La Dolce Vita
"The Italy trip was about ten days. In the evenings, I would have dinner in downtown Milan and stroll through the piazzas. I had the weekends to visit castles and cathedrals, or to travel -- I went to Florence. It was very relaxing and a great experience for me. The Italian food was definitely to die for."
Favorite thing
"I only wish I would have brought my camera, to take pictures on high cliffs. There were so many mountains, especially in Florence. You could go up to this castle and look out over everything. It was wonderful."
Other cool assignments
"Before my Italy assignment, I was in the Cayman Islands for three days and then Toronto for four and five days on two separate occasions. The best part about these trips was learning the new aspects of the regulations. I mean, it was certainly nice to travel, to see the different places, but the learning was key. Because I had not traveled much before this, I didn't even have a passport before I went to the Cayman Islands."
Favorite city
"I enjoy Toronto. It is very modern and you can go all over downtown without going above ground."
Training
"After experiencing the things that I have in the short time I have been here, I see there is a lot more that I have to learn. Every year, you go to a training session -- whether you're an associate, manager or partner. My next session is in Atlanta, and will involve tax technical training."
People
"One of the greatest things about working for PwC is that the people you work with are very knowledgeable. I am continually impressed by how much knowledge my managers and partners have. I look at that as something I want to attain some day -- to get to the point where I can know as much as they know. I respect them for taking the time not only to learn it, but also to be willing to share it with me. I feel very confident going to any one of my managers for any bit of information and guidance."
Mentors
"As an intern, I was assigned a mentor and a 'peer buddy' -- people I could go to and talk about personal things, not just work-related things. As a full-time employee, I was assigned a coach -- who plays a similar role as a mentor, but with a more professional state-of-mind. I don't want to say they hold your hand because at this point you don't want someone holding your hand. But it is comforting to have someone to go to with questions."
Personal development
"There is a lot of personal development that I utilize my coach for. Like putting together my personal development plan, where I set goals for the upcoming year. My coach helps me fill that out and gives me guidance and advice on what is a real, rational and reasonable plan for what I can do and cannot do."
Looking ahead
"Originally what I wanted was to start my own business, doing taxes and other consulting projects. I am from a very small town and so I guess I was looking to move back. But now I see how there are many different career paths at PwC, and I look forward to staying with the firm a lot longer than I had originally intended."
Philosophy
"My favorite poem isThe Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost. I have made a point to venture into the unknown, to take the road less traveled, and to discover what lies ahead."
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