What It’s Like in Dell’s Finance Graduate and Development Programs

Nikol Majzunova loves change. And, with IT considered one of the most rapidly evolving industries, Dell was on her post-graduate job shortlist. She found out about Dell's Finance Graduate Program (FGP) during the final stretch of her master’s degree at University of Economics in Slovakia, when an alumni spoke at their career fair.

Group of Dell Finance Graduate Program members

She was looking for a company that took career development seriously and decided that Dell was the perfect place for her.

"The FGP is designed to help university graduates bridge between university and work life,” explained Majzunova. “Its trainings focus on developing soft and hard skills, and provide the opportunity for working together in teams to improve collaborative skills."

The trainings are available virtually, in-person and on-demand and cover a variety of skills including presentation as well as technical finance. There is also a library of digital books with tips on everything from productivity and wellbeing at work to the latest edition of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide).

The FGP lasts a full year for most participants, but six-months in, Majzunova was selected to advance to Dell's Finance Development Program (FDP).

"FDP is a great program that helped me to improve my finance and business acumen, build my global professional network and develop my leadership competencies," she said.

During her four, six-month rotations, Majzunova's experiences have included everything from working on the pricing team, close to front-line sales makers, to the financial planning and analysis team where she participated in annual financial planning. She also improved her product and business acumen working on the server finance team. Perhaps the biggest project she worked on was during her last rotation, when she took an international assignment in Atlanta, Georgia, USA working on the SecureWorks IPO.

Aside from the possibility of international assignments, participants travel for finance conferences which are held around the globe. Majzunova traveled with her colleagues to Penang, Malaysia for last year's conference.

"By working with global teams, members improve their international skills and learn how to effectively communicate and motivate people from different cultural backgrounds. The program is designed to develop skills needed for future leaders," she said.

Majzunova appreciated the FGP and FDP so much, she took a leadership position in the FGP, developing curriculum, scheduling trainings and organizing networking events with the executive team, ensuring each participant had the same experience she had enjoyed. "Leading the FGP involved organizing the program over the course of one year, mentoring members and helping them with transition into their new roles as soon as possible. I felt I received more than I gave to team members because I learned so much from them."

One of her favorite parts of the program was the opportunity to volunteer with her colleagues outside of work. The local Bratislava chapter of FGP and FDP often help out at the local animal shelter.

"My favorite volunteer activity is dog walking for the shelter. I love dogs but I can't have dog at home so it’s really nice to take them for a walk. What’s more important it’s for good cause."

Majzunova joins other members of Dell Finance Development Program to volunteer at local animal shelter

Dell's Legacy of Good 2020 plan has a goal to encourage 75 percent of employees to volunteer 5 million hours by 2020. Since 2014, 66 percent of employees have volunteered almost 1.4 million hours in their local communities including Majzunova and her colleagues.

"I became a much better person thanks to this program and working with people from all over the world. Also I’d like to say that it’s not just about work, but about fun too," said Majzunova. "I met people who became my friends, and we will be friends for the rest of our lives. If you want to work with great people, improve your finance acumen and develop leadership competencies, Dell is the place to be. It really offers so many opportunities."

Learn more about our development programs for students and experienced professionals.

About the Author: Meredith Harrison