What One Competition Taught an Intern About Dell

• • Delivering Progress gives interns hands-on experience solving real business challenges with cross-functional teams.
  • Mentorship plays a key role, helping interns build confidence, sharpen ideas and develop professional communication skills.
  • Dell’s culture of openness encourages networking, learning and career exploration beyond day-to-day responsibilities.
  • Programs like buddy matching and Lessons in Leadership support intern growth and provide valuable career insights.
  • Success comes from preparation, collaboration and curiosity, both during the competition and throughout the internship experience.

Starting an internship at a company the size of Dell Technologies can feel overwhelming. Stepping into a global organization, surrounded by experienced professionals, and figuring out where you fit takes time. For Angel Goel, that answer started with a case competition called Delivering Progress.

A three-week challenge that set the tone

Delivering Progress isn’t just an icebreaker. It’s a structured, three-week competition where interns form cross-functional teams and work together to solve a real business challenge. From the first briefing, it was clear this wasn’t a surface-level exercise. Participants were expected to think critically, communicate clearly, and present their ideas in front of people who actually make decisions at Dell.

Angel’s team came from different backgrounds and areas of study. That diversity wasn’t just a nice detail — it shaped the entire experience. Someone from a finance background caught an assumption the rest of the team had missed. Someone with a marketing perspective reframed how the story was being told. Working across those differences early on gave Angel a practical understanding of how cross-functional collaboration works in a professional setting.

What stood out most was the role mentorship played throughout the process. Teams weren’t left to figure things out alone. Mentors from within Dell joined for structured feedback sessions, offering perspective that went far beyond the competition itself. Those conversations helped Angel understand how to frame a business problem, build a case for an idea and communicate with confidence to a senior audience.

The internship experience beyond the competition

Once the competition wrapped, the internship opened up in ways Angel hadn’t expected. A buddy program connected him with someone who knew the organization well and could help navigate everything from internal processes to day-to-day norms. That kind of informal guidance made a real difference in how quickly he found his footing.

Dell’s culture of openness was something Angel had heard about before arriving, and something he experienced firsthand once he did. People were willing to talk — not just within his immediate team, but across the organization. Reaching out to people in roles and functions he was curious about consistently led somewhere useful.

The “Lessons in Leadership” sessions added another dimension to the experience. Hearing directly from senior leaders about how they’ve approached challenges, made decisions and built their careers gave Angel a clearer picture of what growth at Dell can look like. These weren’t polished, scripted presentations. They were honest conversations, and that made them more valuable.

What future participants should know

For anyone preparing for Delivering Progress, or for a Dell internship in general, Angel’s experience points to a few things worth carrying in:

1. 1. Do your research. Know Dell’s business, its priorities and the space your challenge lives in before the competition begins.
   2. Set your direction early. Teams that align on an approach in the first week tend to move faster and with more confidence.
   3. Use your mentors. They’re there to help. Ask specific questions, follow up on feedback and treat those sessions as a real resource.
   4. Tell a clear story. Your solution matters, but so does how you present it. Invest time in making your narrative easy to follow.
   5. Hold each other accountable. Strong teams check in, speak up when something isn’t working and stay focused on the goal.
   6. Network beyond your team. Some of the most useful conversations Angel had during his internship happened outside of structured sessions, with people he reached out to on his own.

Growth starts here

An internship is what you make of it, but the environment matters. At Dell, the structure, the people and the culture create real conditions for growth. Delivering Progress gave Angel a foundation he’s continued to build on, and it shaped how he thinks about collaboration, problem-solving and professional communication in ways he didn’t anticipate.

If you’re ready to take that next step, explore Dell Technologies internship and early career opportunities and find out where your journey could begin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Delivering Progress case competition?

Delivering Progress is a three-week case competition that’s part of the Dell Technologies internship selection process. Interns form cross-functional teams and work together to solve a real business challenge, presenting their recommendations to senior leaders. It’s designed to build collaboration, critical thinking and communication skills from the very start.

Do I need prior business experience to compete effectively?

No. The competition brings together interns from a range of academic and professional backgrounds, and that diversity is one of its core strengths. Participants learn from each other throughout the process, and Dell mentors are available to provide guidance along the way.

What kind of mentorship can interns expect at Dell?

Interns have access to multiple layers of support. During Delivering Progress, mentors provide structured feedback sessions. Throughout the broader internship, a buddy program connects interns with experienced Dell employees who help them navigate the organization. “Lessons in Leadership” sessions also offer direct access to senior leaders for candid conversations about career growth.

How does Dell’s culture support interns?

Dell is known for a culture of openness, where people at all levels are accessible and willing to share their experience. Interns are encouraged to connect across teams and functions, not just within their immediate group. This makes it easier to build meaningful relationships and get a fuller picture of the organization.

How can I apply for a Dell internship?

You can browse and apply for internship and early career roles directly through the Dell Technologies careers site. New opportunities are posted regularly across a wide range of business functions and locations.

What are the most important things to prepare before starting?

Research Dell’s business priorities and the areas your internship touches before you arrive. During Delivering Progress, align your team on a clear direction early, use your mentor sessions intentionally and build a story around your solution that’s easy for a senior audience to follow. Outside of the competition, don’t wait for networking opportunities to come to you.