The Key to Time Management

For some of Michelle’s peers, it can be hard to imagine how she manages to balance her career, studying for the CPA exams, supporting her three teenage sons and being a spouse. It’s a question she’s often asked. But Michelle believes the secret is similar to parenting.

“When you have one baby, they get all of your time, attention and focus. You think, ‘I couldn’t possibly do any more,” Michelle says. “And then you have two kids. It’s not like you’re divided in two and your love is split. There’s just somehow room for more.”

One key aspect of Michelle’s successful work-life balance is the flexibility Dell Technologies provides. Her manager and director are each a parent to three kids. They understand the flexibility is there to keep you able to do it all and not burn out,” Michelle says. “Our job is important and valuable as one piece of what we do so we can take care of and enjoy our family.”

Outside of her working hours, Michelle loves to stay active. She runs, rock climbs and recently signed up to be a Wellness Advocate through the Global Wellness Champions Network at Dell Technologies. The volunteer position helps host step challenges, blood drives and other programs every month in person and virtually through Well at Dell. “Even though I’ve got enough going on with my ADP program and my role, this is an area that I am so committed to,” Michelle says. “There’s a place for everyone at Dell and I am bringing my whole self. We all have skill sets that are useful and valuable. For me, I feel grateful that I get to go to meetings and talk about fitness because it is so near and dear to me. I can inspire people or encourage them to take better care of their bodies.”

Returning to the Workforce

Transition is hard. When adjusting from stay-at-home mom life to master’s student to full-time employee, Michelle credits patience and time management as key virtues. “I’m pretty hardcore at anything I pick that I want to do,” Michelle says. “Sometimes, I’m learning new things in my role that take time to gain a foundational understanding, or I’m working on case studies or our audit project with other ADPs and Finance Development Program members. I’m just wanting to solve it and get through it, but sometimes work takes time and patience. As a lifelong learner, it’s good to strive for consistent improvement and results, but recognize there’s always going to be more work to do.”

With a variety of career experiences already under her belt, Michelle is ready to embrace the zig and zag trajectory the future holds for her. Her first three years at Dell Technologies are mapped out through the ADP program, and then Michelle hopes to take on a role that suits her and makes her happy. In rowing, you sit backwards and face the starting line, not the finish line, and that’s how Michelle views her future career aspirations.

“If you keep turning around and looking at the finish line, you’ll slow yourself down,” Michelle says. “Instead, working hard in the moment, trusting the process and doing the best you can with every single stroke will get you where you want to go.”

Next, read about Lauren's experience in Dell's ADP.