Switch and strings in C [on hold]

As far i know, in C, I can't do a switch with strings, so i have a question: Which code is more correct? This, creating a new variable called metd and saving in it? or putting the code directly on the if's?

New variable

int metd=0;

if (strcmp( method, "GET")==0){
    metd=1;
}
if (strcmp( method, "HEAD")==0){
    metd=2;
}

switch (metd)
{
    case 1:
        //actions
        break;
    case 2:
        //actions
        break;

    default:
        //actions
        break;

}

If's party

if (strcmp( method, "GET")==0){
    //actions
}
if (strcmp( method, "HEAD")==0){
    //actions
}