Dell Internships: All About the Vast Opportunities From Tech To Marketing
Internships • February 26, 2021

Dell is one of the most recognized names in technology. What you might not know is that their internship programs aren’t just for people who love tech. Whether you’re majoring in psychology, marketing, or something more technical, there are Dell internship opportunities for you. In fact, the company prides itself on its vast internship offerings spanning locations in the United States and all across the globe.

Do you love the idea of working in a fast-paced, innovative environment? Are you looking for an internship program that emphasizes collaborative work and cares about the success of its interns? Dell internships might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Here, we’ll guide you through the application process for a Dell internship. You’ll find tips on how to master the interview and get advice on where to apply. Plus, you’ll get insider knowledge on what it’s like to intern at Dell — straight from their director of university recruiting.

Basics of Dell Internships

Dell internships: Dell processors

Dell Technologies offers a large range of internships for everything from finance and operations to software development and engineering. They also offer services, marketing, and human resources internships. Whether you’re looking for a role in procurement, social media marketing, supply chain technology, or sales leader roles Dell has internship opportunities for you.

Their internship programs include full-time internships as well as summer internships and more complex MBA programs. This means students from all walks of life can secure an internship. You can do a short stint as a summer intern and focus on your studies during the school semesters or you can dive in with a full-time internship to increase your skills and knowledge rapidly.

Navigating the Dell Internship Application Process

If you’re interested in a Dell internship opportunity, the first thing you should do is head to their internship portal. Here, you’ll find a list of available internship opportunities and helpful resources including a frequently asked questions page and details on their hiring process. You can also head to their student page where you’ll find tips on applying to various roles and can learn more about the offerings for college students and recent grads.

Dell also sends recruiters to campus to connect with qualified students. Check out their career calendar, which lists all upcoming campus recruiting events. You can also talk to your campus career center to see if Dell has any planned recruiting events in the area.

Once you find an open internship opportunity that fits your skillset, it’s time to apply! Head to the internship portal and click the “view all internship opportunities” button. You’ll get a list of all open positions including where the internship is located. Dell internships occur all over the world with locations in the United States at the Round Rock campus in Austin, Texas as well as internationally in Malaysia, China, Argentina, and Slovakia.

Select the role you’re interested in at the technology company and you’ll see a brief overview of the position. You’ll also find a list of the top traits that successful interns in that role tend to have. 

Dell internships: screenshot of a success profile

This is particularly useful as it shows not only what Dell is looking for in terms of skill and work experience, but it also demonstrates what personality traits they value. You can use these traits when crafting your application, resume, and cover letter to emphasize why you’re the perfect fit for the role.

All of Dell’s postings list basic requirements including minimum GPA scores, technical tools experience, and soft skills such as problem-solving and communication skills. Essentially, they make it as easy as possible to apply to the roles you’re best suited for. Each internship posting also has clear application deadlines so you can apply on time. 

Master the Dell Internships Interview Process

Dell internships: woman sitting in front of a man

You’re a perfect match when it comes to your profile and application and you’ve landed a coveted interview. Congrats! Now it’s time to put some effort into honing your interviewing skills.

Dell approaches their interviews as a conversation. You’ll have the chance to talk about why you’re the best fit for the role and you’ll be able to interview Dell as well. The interview is designed for all parties to get more information. As a Dell internship applicant, you’ll be able to learn more about what your day-to-day will look like and what the department’s direction is during the interview.

This means you’ll want to work on your communication skills before the big day. Robotic, rehearsed answers won’t feel very conversational and may hinder your chances of landing the gig. Instead of memorizing every word of your answers, try to keep in mind specific talking points. You can refer back to these often while also engaging in conversation that flows more naturally.

The interview process at Dell varies depending on the position. You may have one interview or you may need to do several. For some roles, you may also need to complete a background check. 

Here are six tips from Dell hiring managers to help you ace the interview process:

  1. Be flexible: Each role is different so ask about the next steps so you know what to expect. You may have individual interviews or group interviews and they may be virtual or in-person. Be willing to adapt and make changes as requested to move the process along.
  2. Do your homework: Research the company, its values, the industry, and your interviewer if possible. You can use tools like Glassdoor and Fairygodboss to find reviews from past applications on their interview process. Check out their LinkedIn page and social media profiles to learn more about the company’s values and culture.
  3. Make a good first impression: Pay attention to how you speak, how you formulate answers, and how comfortable you are answering questions. Dress for the position you want, make eye contact, and speak clearly during your interview.
  4. Share your story: Use specific stories to highlight your skills. Talk about the results you’ve achieved, ways you’ve innovated, and times when you learned from failures.
  5. Ask deliberate questions: If you’ve done your homework, you should already know what kinds of questions you want to ask. You may want to know more about the team members you’ll be working with or have questions about the company's sustainability and development opportunities.
  6. Follow up: Dell likes to see engagement and passion. End the interview by asking about the next steps and follow up when appropriate. This shows you’re interested and care about moving the process forward.

What It’s Like To Intern at Dell

man and a woman talking while walking

The value of an internship can’t be understated. Internships offer unparalleled industry insights, build your resume, and can lead to full-time employment. Landing a Dell internship is a huge step in your career advancement. You’ll get to work on global projects that have a real-world impact. Your internship experience will provide valuable skills, tools, and connections to help launch your career.

So what’s it like to actually intern at Dell? On our podcast, we spoke with Jennifer Newbill, the Director of University Relations and Recruitment for Dell. She’s been with Dell since 2003 and focuses on recruiting top talent to their internship programs. She shared inside tips on what interns can expect from their roles at Dell. You can listen to our full podcast with Jennifer or read on for a quick overview of what she had to say.

The culture at Dell is one of the main selling points for interns. It’s centered on collaboration and creating ways for interns to learn as much as possible. Interns will work cross-functionally with multiple departments. This means you’ll interact not only with team members in your own department, but you’ll also get to learn from and partner with people in other departments. 

They also prioritize friendly engagement and you’ll get access to leadership and have regular interactions with director and VP level individuals at the company. Dell rewards people who are innovative and creative, making it a great place to work if you value those traits.

Each intern is proactively matched with a mentor who will guide them throughout the internship program. Many mentors have been interns at Dell, making them particularly well-suited to guide the new interns. 

As an intern, you’ll work on your own project as well as a larger group project where you’ll collaborate with other interns or department team members. Interns are also encouraged to work with each other and socialize. This enables interns to make new connections and also share their experiences during the internship program.

Interns at Dell also get access to vast networking opportunities. The company offers fun hangouts such as trivia as well as educational leadership speaker series where interns can learn from higher-ups at the company. According to Jennifer, Dell is an exciting place to work. It’s a large company, but it’s very dynamic and fast-paced. This provides the perfect environment for students who are passionate about innovating and driving industry changes. 

Turn Your Internship Into a Permanent Position

woman pointing something in the monitor

At Dell, internship program managers are invested in getting interns to come back full time. They’ve designed their program as a trial for both the company and the student. As an intern, you’ll get a glimpse of what it’s like to work at Dell and can figure out if it’s the perfect fit for you. You’ll also develop skills and build your resume, whether you choose to stay at Dell or look for a different company that meets your needs.

Dell internships provide a unique opportunity to work at an industry-leading company, even if you’re not a technology major. With Dell’s vast internship program, you’ll find opportunities in everything from human resources and software development to sales and marketing. 

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