Campbell Ingraham
Name: Campbell Ingraham
Major(s): Supply Chain Management and Business Honors with a certificate in Risk Management
Grad year: December 2021
Intern role/title: 2020 Digital Enablement Intern (Finance); 2021 Supply Chain Intern
As many of our Canfield BHP students begin their respective career journeys, internships become more important than ever. Students often find themselves fascinated with the unique positions they have gone on to fill and some even stay on board full-time well after their internship has been completed. As a business honors program, we are very proud of the relationships we have built with our corporate partners throughout the years that enable these internship opportunities to expand. One corporate partner we are pleased to highlight, Dell Technologies, is a popular company with many of our students.
Canfield BHP Junior, Campbell Ingraham, had the opportunity to intern with Dell Technologies as a Digital Enablement Intern within Finance. Additionally, he is continuing his journey with the company as he returns for a second internship within Supply Chain this summer. Hear what Campbell has to say about his experience at Dell Technologies:
Tell us about your intern experience at Dell Technologies.
I enjoyed my internship experience as I learned so much in a short amount of time. From the very first week, I was able to start the primary research necessary for my data analysis project along with my team members. My team was always willing to help and answer questions, and my manager set me up for success from the beginning. When I wanted to meet people from other areas of the business outside of Finance, my manager referred me to people I could connect with. Everyone I reached out to was willing to meet for a 1:1, and the culture was encouraging and collaborative. The Finance internship team was organized, and they coordinated several great events and workshops for the interns focused on providing useful advice and developing necessary skills. Despite the internship being virtual, it truly felt like I knew my coworkers personally due to the company culture.
You interned in Finance last summer and are returning this coming summer for a Supply Chain internship. What originally drew you to Dell Technologies, and what made you decide to return for another internship?
During my freshman year, I attended a few coffee chats with CBHP alumni working in both Finance and Supply Chain roles at Dell. I also went on a McCombs-sponsored company tour at Dell’s Round Rock office. These experiences sparked my interest in the company, and I continued to build connections amongst the UT alumni leading up to my first internship at Dell. I was attracted to the technology industry as well as Dell’s collaborative culture, opportunities for career development through the rotational programs, and location. I decided to return to Dell for another internship because I loved the company culture and their focus on intern development. Additionally, I was excited to work with the supply chain connections I had made through 1:1’s during my first internship.
How was your experience interning in a virtual environment?
At first, I was worried about participating in a virtual summer internship, but Dell showed how prepared they were from the beginning. In our first week, we had several events with speakers who provided advice on how to succeed in a virtual environment. My manager, as well as other members of my team, met with me at least once a week to check in. Working with an adaptable and collaborative team was empowering, and I always had access to the resources I needed to be successful during my internship. Additionally, the interns would meet for a virtual trivia event each week, which was a great break from work and a fun way to connect with others.
How did CBHP prepare you to effectively recruit/find an internship?
CBHP made it easier to connect with alumni in a more personal setting. Dell always likes to participate in the CBHP Coffee Chats, which provided a great opportunity to get to know the alumni in a small setting. CBHP also helped me prepare for recruiting with the BA 101H course packet, which I still use to this day for editing my resume and preparing for interviews. The mock interview in BA 101H was another great source of practice for internship recruiting. The presentation skills I learned in BA 324H helped me create a more engaging story when connecting with recruiters and alumni. I am grateful that many of the skills necessary for recruiting were taught early in the CBHP curriculum.
What advice would you give to prospective recruits interested in an internship at Dell Technologies?
My best advice is to be present at as many of Dell’s recruiting events as possible. While you don’t have to necessarily attend every event, take advantage of the opportunity to meet the recruiting team, build relationships, and ask questions. I would also encourage you to set up coffee chats or informational interviews with UT/BHP alumni who work at Dell in the department you’re interested in. It’s important to learn about their work and the culture of the company to see if it aligns with your values. It can be intimidating to approach people working in the corporate world, but Dell employees are super friendly and love to connect with college students to share their career experiences.
What advice would you give to prospective recruits on being successful in their internship?
My best advice for prospective recruits is to ask questions and set up 1:1’s. Connect with your fellow interns, but also take the time to talk 1:1 with your full-time team members. At Dell, the collaborative culture encourages everyone to develop the interns and enable them to succeed. The more you ask questions and reach out to schedule 1:1’s, the more rewarding your experience will be. If you feel like you don’t have the resources you need to complete your project, reach out to your manager and ask for help. Especially in a virtual environment, transparent communication is vital to success. Lastly, come to work ready to learn as that is what internships are all about.
Please share your general career advice.
In general, it’s important to identify your non-negotiables and focus on finding a company that aligns with your values. For example, company culture was a big factor for me, which is why I was attracted to Dell. Additionally, when applying for an internship, don’t be afraid to message company recruiters directly through LinkedIn to express your interest. You can also reach out to employees in your desired field for informational interviews. Sometimes expressing your interest is the foot in the door that will lead to a future internship offer. I also think it’s vital to take advantage of the resources your school and alumni have to offer for connections and recruiting. Moreover, in any internship, the first 2-4 weeks will feel like information overload, and you may start to doubt your abilities and your worth due to imposter syndrome. It takes time to adapt to any new work environment, but know that these feelings will pass and you will begin to feel more comfortable and empowered in your role as you settle in. Lastly, I think it’s important to find a company that wants to invest in your development and learning. Dell is a great example of a company that seeks to develop its people and set them up for success.