Developing with Dell Technologies: Melissa's Experience in the Finance Development Program
Melissa Reiss | Senior Analyst, Financial Analysis | Texas, United States
Originally Published: February 4, 2025
Hi! My name is Melissa Reiss and I’ve been at Dell Technologies for a little over two years. While originally from central Illinois, I graduated from Baylor University in Waco, TX (sic ‘em!). I interned remotely for Dell in 2021 and then joined Dell’s Finance Development Program (FDP) in 2022. After rotating on four teams in Finance, I graduated the program last July at our conference in Bratislava!
Post-program, I’ve recently taken on a Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) role on the Portfolio Analytics team in the Payment Solutions Org (previously known as Dell Financial Services or DFS). This org is, simply put, Dell’s internal bank. In my role, I spend most of my time on modeling projects, including outlooking and forecasting Originations in the short and long-term. I work on reporting for senior leadership about the Payment Solutions Org’s quarterly performance, as well as load data into our backend databases and perform audits.
The FDP curriculum and project work allowed me additional insight into the areas I didn’t touch through my rotations. I felt more than prepared to jump into an FP&A role in DFS despite never having rotated through that org or done that type of work and have been able to ramp quickly.
Melissa R.
Senior Analyst, Financial Analysis
What piece of advice would you give to your 'early in career' self?
Networking is so important! Set up reoccurring 1-on-1 meetings with mentors, former managers and those you connect with whose opinions you value. Then, ask for their advice on more people you should meet with. It’s great to source outside perspectives and you never know when your connections will lead to your next career opportunity. Don’t limit yourself to just one team or organization! The broader the better.
Why did you decide to join FDP?
At Baylor, I majored in Finance, Economics and International Business—I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in Finance but felt there were an overwhelming number of opportunities available. When I heard about Dell’s rotational program, it sounded like the perfect fit which would allow me to try out multiple paths in a short amount of time, while layering on personal and professional development. Now that I’ve completed the program, I can say that’s exactly what I got!
How did FDP prepare you for your current role?
During my time in FDP, I had rotations doing Server Controllership in the Center of Competency, Data Analytics and Pricing in Global Pricing Transformation and Client Solutions Group (CSG) Special Pricing, Debt Capital Markets in Corporate Treasury and Integration Management in Corporate Development. Every six months, I was placed on a new and completely different team with widely varying responsibilities and leadership styles.
FDP prepared me for my current role by training me to be adaptable, a quick learner and exposing me to so many facets of the business. The FDP curriculum and project work allowed me additional insight into the areas I didn’t touch through my rotations. I felt more than prepared to jump into an FP&A role in DFS despite never having rotated through that org or done that type of work and have been able to ramp quickly.
What technology do you use daily?
I currently spend most of my time in Microsoft Excel, with my role revolving around Excel add-in tool functionalities like data cubes. My team also utilizes Power BI and Tableau for reporting dashboards. I often use AI to help me brainstorm ideas and streamline processes—everything from complex Excel formulas to writing explanatory emails.
What has been a standout accomplishment of your career at Dell Technologies so far?
One of my standout accomplishments at Dell Technologies has been creating the Global Treasury Power BI Reporting dashboard during my rotation on the Debt Capital Markets Treasury team. This project not only deepened my understanding of all the teams within Treasury, but also allowed me to consolidate crucial information into a single, reliable source (“one source of truth”). Upon completing this major dashboard project, I had the incredible opportunity to present it to our Treasurer, Tyler Johnson, and CFO, Yvonne McGill. It was a fantastic experience to showcase a high-impact, high-visibility project that I had spent months developing.
Next, read Nova's story about her experience in FDP.
Be The First To See New Opportunities
Join Our Talent Network
Sign up, stay connected and get opportunities that match your skills sent right to your inbox.
Share This Story