Market Sourcing Leader

Jennifer Pettersen

Education: BS, Accounting, California State University– Sacramento, 1994

PwC recruiter Jennifer Pettersen has been with the firm eight years and worked in several different offices, and she still continues to be impressed with the quality of the students she meets. Pettersen, who loves going to campus and talking to students about life at the firm, is amazed at how engaged today’s college students are, and how prepared many of them are for careers in accounting. And that works out well for her—it is interacting with students, she says, that makes her job rewarding.

What do you like about recruiting? I love interacting with students and feeling like I’m making a difference in someone’s professional life. When you’re dealing with students, they’re always interested in learning as much about the firm as possible. It’s great to be able to tell students all the wonderful reasons why they should work here.

And what are some of those reasons? PwC is a great place for graduates to start their accounting careers. We have an exceptional training program, and graduates can really develop their careers at PwC in a way that will benefit them no matter where they end up in the future. We also have an excellent coaching and mentoring program on top of that, so they’re interacting frequently with mentors as well as their peers.

How are the college and MBA students you recruit an asset to PwC? Our campus hires are some of the most important assets of the firm—they’re our potential future leaders. They’re the group that’s bringing a lot of new ideas to the table.

Do you have advice for students who might want to work there one day? Be actively involved on campus and demonstrate leadership skills in what you do. Be able to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to our firm, and if you interview with us, tell us why you can make a difference at PwC.

Speaking of interviewing, do you have any tips you can share? Be well prepared to tell your interviewer about yourself—what makes you different, what makes you stand out from the pack, what you’re looking for in a career, why we should hire you. We already have your resume. The interview is your opportunity to share with us the things about yourself that aren’t on it.

What’s something about PwC that only people who work there know? Our commitment to quality and integrity—we see it every day on the job, but I don’t know if those outside of the firm grasp the depth of our commitment. At PwC we have values and standards that are embedded in every action we take and decision we make. Everyone at every level here—from partner to new associate to HR— understands the importance of living our values, and can give examples of how they demonstrate them in everything they do.