Diversity Partnerships

University Relations & Recruiting

Through effective recruitment strategies, Dell "widens the net" to identify the best and brightest talent from a diverse pool of applicants. We work to actively recruit many of the nation's top women and minorities by sponsoring professional conferences, career fairs and community events with professional minority organizations to promote our job opportunities and workplace benefits. We partner with the National Society for Hispanic MBAs, National Society for Black MBAs, National Association of Black Accountants, National Society of Black Engineers, Society of Women Engineers and many academic institutions across the country to attract top women, minority and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender candidates.

Last year, Gil Casellas, Chief Diversity Officer, was the keynote address at the National Society for Hispanic MBAs. Gil’s presentation focused on how being connected can help the participants be successful. Here is an excerpt from his speech.

“Each of us in this room is going to be witness to a new era. The way people connect and communicate is changing, and changing the world.

At Dell, we believe that a truly globalized information technology infrastructure and those who build, run and use it are creating a new era — the Connected Era.

Already, IT connects communities, governments and businesses to one another and to a storehouse of information larger than we can imagine. In the Connected Era, these trends will only accelerate.

“Connection” is fast becoming the most integral and important aspect of information – meaning you, as everyday users of information, will want fast, reliable, always-on and everywhere accessible access to information – or simply you’ll want a connection – you don’t want to know how you got it, you just want it. Connections will also take on new meanings and will expand to include all things related to information.

As young professionals, there are a few things I’d suggest you think about regarding your connections.

I’ve been where you are today. I’m a child of immigrants, where my father worked for a cigar factory and wrapped them my hand. I was the first in my family to go to college, I was the first Latino partner at a Philadelphia law firm, and, today I am the first Latino Chief Diversity Officer and first ever Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at Dell. I’ve broken new ground throughout my career and I understand how valuable connections are in advancing yourself throughout your career.

I have never forgotten where I’ve come from throughout my career. In fact, a key focus of my professional career has been guiding organizations, both public and private, in developing and executing diversity and inclusion programs. I now have the honor at Dell.

…What can you do to become valued at your company?

Networking

Today, networks are everywhere and provide you boundless opportunities to connect with people and information.

Networking is the process of gathering, collecting and distributing information for the mutual benefit of you and the people in the network. It’s a great give and get process where you can have access to information and communities of people on any subject of interest.

How do you start networking? Being here at NSHMBA is a first great step. The next step is to understand three simple points about networking:

• Be selective – Don’t jump at every chance to join a networking group. Whether it’s joining different groups on Facebook or LinkedIn, or trying to attend every social event at your job, it’s important to focus on a few groups and really learn to connect with them.
• Develop a Presence – From your style, to your resume to your online profile, what is your presence? Do you appear professional? Frazzled? Naïve? It’s important to know yourself, your strengths and carry that through into everything that showcases who and what you are. (Tell story about how recruiters are looking an Facebook profiles)
• Be a good communicator – Good, solid communicators can go far in life and in business. Whether you’re writing an email, a blog post or a company presentation, don’t forget the rules of good grammar.

So once you’re engaged in networking, the next key way to connect is to find a mentor.

Mentoring

Mentors are great guides for helping manage and transition certain elements of your career, and your life.

The value of mentoring is simple:

• A safe place to go for enhanced clarity and direction
• The ability to learn from and through the experience of others
• A sounding board for issues important to you
• Unbiased feedback
• Increased confidence and a positive mental attitude
• Improved skills such as communication, presentation, and time-management skills

Connecting to Your Community

I must confess, I am personally very passionate about this and many years ago put my money, time and resources into establishing and supporting a number of Hispanic organizations and causes. One organization, whose board I now chair, Hispanic Federation, has developed a few tips so you can give strategically to help strengthen our communities. In fact, you may already be doing so without even knowing it. Consider the following strategic giving options:

• Regularly donate cash or assets to an effective nonprofit serving Latinos and other needy groups in your region.
• Volunteer at a nonprofit serving Latino communities and causes in ways that use your talents and expertise.
• Establish a giving circle with friends within your own social or professional network, and support nonprofits that serve Latinos and other community groups.