Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/249166
CHRISTINA FITZPATRICK Northwest Market Sourcing Leader, PwC CHRISTINA FITZPATRICK LEADS PwC'S COLLEGE RECRUITING EFFORTS in the Northwest. Her work often involves connecting recruits with the company through charitable efforts held in the WAC Clubhouse. She joined the Club in 2008. Q How would you compare the recruiting climate for college graduates right now to the climate five years ago? Within the professional-services environment, the level of competition and demand for top talent continues to increase. Q What recruiting trends do you see emerging? In our quest for high-quality talent in a competitive environment, we are identifying and building relationships with potential candidates earlier and earlier in their academic careers. We have also moved toward virtual recruiting efforts, building relationships online, and video interviewing. Q How do PwC's community-service efforts and the WAC intersect? We've always put a strong emphasis on giving back to our community. Over the past five years, that has played an even bigger role in PwC's culture of caring. It's part of who we are as a firm. With the WAC being in such a great downtown location and so close to our office, it provides a perfect venue for these efforts. Whether it's a large-scale team-building event with a corporate responsibility focus, or something where we're working closely with a nonprofit like Childhaven to build tables and chairs for the kids they serve, the WAC has done a great job of partnering with us. They have the space we need and the flexibility to make unique hands-on activities work successfully. Q What do you mean by "corporate responsibility?" Corporate responsibility is a key element of our overall strategy at PwC and builds on our longstanding values and ethical practices. It's important 30 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | FEBRUARY / MARCH 2014 to the companies we serve—and to society and the world in which we live—that we act responsibly in all we do. Employees today want to work for organizations that care and provide meaningful opportunities to make an impact in and out of the office. Q How else can a company today make itself attractive to top recruits? It really is about people. At the end of the day, it comes down to the people with whom you want to work and the type of value you want to create. Q Where do your own business and social lives intersect with the WAC? Professionally, I love that we can host great events for PwC here to help benefit our local community and support our firm's culture of giving back. Personally, my family enjoys the annual Father Daughter Banquet, Mother's Day Brunch, recreational opportunities—the list goes on and on! >