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Jennifer's Journey in Finance

Jennifer Sowley | Senior Analyst, Financial Analysis | Panama

Originally Published: Date

From Sales Intern to Financial Senior Analyst, Jennifer’s career at Dell has been an exciting journey full of transitions and exploration of new career paths. After participating in an internship at Dell, a spark of passion for finance was ignited when she joined the Finance Graduate Program. This passion led her to join the Finance Development Program, a two-year MBA-type career advancement program, from which she has recently graduated. She shares her story with us, along with four valuable learnings that shaped her road to success.

Services-Sales Team in front of Dell Building

How did you begin your career at Dell Technologies?

I started as an intern in the Services Sales organization back in 2021 while I was still in college studying Industrial Engineering. I was responsible for providing support to Solutioning Principals in their daily commercial activities and the execution of demand generation strategies. While still in sales, I joined the Finance Graduate Program (FGP), a 9-month program designed to develop key technical and soft skills for entry-level employees looking to grow their finance skills. After completing the FGP, I officially joined the finance organization through the Finance Development Program (FDP), a 2-year MBA-type development program based on different 6-month rotations within the finance organization, focused on building comprehensive financial, business, leadership and business skills.

       

What led you to transition from sales to finance?

I transitioned from sales to finance because, after enrolling in the Finance Graduate Program (FGP), I discovered a strong interest and passion for the field. My sales background provided me with valuable skills such as communication, presentation, and relationship-building, which I believe are transferable and beneficial in finance. Additionally, my internship in sales was a formative experience that helped shape my professional journey. Thanks to the program, I learned the basics of finance, which made it easier to transition into the finance area. After completing the FGP, I officially joined the finance organization through the Finance Development Program (FDP). I am grateful for these programs at Dell Technologies, as they allow employees to transition through different areas and explore new career paths. All of this has been instrumental in my growth and development.

Build a strong network of supportive individuals! This is crucial for gaining insights, encouragement, and opportunities. Even if you have an assigned mentor, continue to expand, and nurture your network for ongoing growth and support.

Jennifer S.

Senior Analyst, Financial Analysis

Could you describe some of the biggest learnings you've had in the Finance Development Program?

  1. Embrace the journey of learning from your mistakes. Know that you're allowed to make them. Always ask questions, as they are the steppingstones that lead to deeper understanding and growth. Each mistake and question help build a foundation of knowledge and experience, guiding you forward on your path.
  2. Don’t be afraid of the unknown and pushing out of your comfort zone. Sometimes the biggest learnings come from those things that scare us the most. Perhaps the worst outcome is simply realizing it's not for you.
  3. Enjoy every step in your career! Make the most out of every moment with your FDP classmates and rotational team, as these two years will fly by. Whether you’re in a similar program or any other journey, remember to appreciate the people and moments that shape your path. Cherish all experiences and build lasting memories.

Which experiences in the Finance Development Program did you find most exciting?

  1. Traveling for the conferences in Round Rock and meeting my FDP classmates and teammates based in RR face-to-face was the most exciting one! Graduating at one of those conferences was a highlight, yay!
  2. Engaging in several key activities from Conference. In Semester 3, we participated in a business simulation where we assumed various roles within a company and made numerous business decisions. It was exciting to see the results of our decisions play out. In Semester 4, we worked on the Impact Project, which allowed us to create real impact within the company. This project involved interacting with different stakeholders and collaborating with teammates from around the world, making it a truly thrilling experience.
  3. Preparing for new rotations whenever roles were announced was always exciting. Meeting the new team and learning the processes was a great experience.  

       

To learn more about life at Dell, visit Our Stories.

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