A typical Friday in the life of a McCombs student usually involves sleeping in and enjoying the perks of a major that rarely schedules class on Fridays. However, this past Friday, a couple dozen BHP students and I decided to forego the extra sleep in favor of trekking up to Round Rock to explore the Dell campus and learn about the opportunities provided by Austin’s largest employer.
The visit kicked off with the Dell recruiting team leading us into the Executive Briefing Center for a presentation on the innovative internship and full-time opportunities offered by Dell. This presentation was followed by a Q&A lunch with Brian Gladden, the current Dell CFO. While gaining helpful career insights from Dell’s Chief Financial Officer, we were treated to a surprise appearance from Michael Dell himself, who casually walked in to take any questions we had for him.
After we regained our breath from watching the net value of the room rise several billion dollars, we quizzed the Dell CEO on leadership styles, the future of his company, and how to maintain a good work-life balance. For nearly an hour, Dell’s leading officers shared with us valuable career lessons and wisdom while we eagerly listened and struggled to minimize the crinkling of our box lunch packaging.
The tour concluded with a visit to Dell’s Social Media Command Center where employees monitor and study Dell’s perception in the social media sphere using systems that track every internet post that references their company, be it positive or negative. From meeting both the CFO and CEO, to learning about the wealth of opportunities offered by Dell, we definitely discovered the best way to spend a drizzly Friday morning.
-Forrest Ripley, BHP Class of 2014