Day in the Life of Alicja, a Software Engineer at Dell Technologies

Alicja K. | Senior Software Quality Engineer | Cork, Ireland

Originally Published: January 23, 2023

Can you describe your current role at Dell Technologies?

I am a Senior Software Quality Engineer, based in Cork, Ireland. In my role, I lead the testing activities of all releases within the VxRail Configuration Helper Portal. Additionally, I ensure all requirements are delivered according to functional specifications and that all defects are addressed before release.

Could you share your career progression within the company?

I joined Dell Technologies as a Software Engineer 2 back in August 2021. I had no previous exposure to VxRail solutions or hardware testing, so there was an initial steep learning curve! I knew I had a lot of knowledge to pick up, but with the assistance of my amazing colleagues and management, I always found the support I needed to quickly bring me up to speed. I’m grateful every day to work with really talented people in an environment with continuous learning, collaboration with other teams, and constant exposure to new technologies. This has allowed me to grow professionally and become more efficient in my role. I was delighted when I received the promotion to Senior Software Engineer as a Quality Lead, in such a short period of time.

How would you describe a day in the life of a Software Engineer at Dell Technologies?

It’s a fast-paced, Agile environment where being up to speed with each release is essential to ensuring quality and on-time deliverables. My days tend to go by pretty quickly, working on multiple releases and performing multiple test cycles.

Close collaboration with developers and other teams is critical, this enables a succinct understanding of all the requirements for each VxRail release. I work with the development team through daily scrums and ad-hoc meetings to provide continuous feedback on tasks being delivered for testing. Other daily tasks can entail proposing solutions to improve the product and UX (User Experience).

Can you share a project or moment that you have been most proud of during your career at Dell Technologies?

After only 6 months with Dell Technologies, I was quickly promoted to Senior Software Engineer. My hard work, focus, dedication, and passion was recognized by my manager. Her encouragement and assistance played a significant role in my quick promotion. It was a proud moment for me, both professionally and personally. 

One example of great teamwork that stands out is that a few months back, I worked on a release that was at a high risk of missing its deadlines due to factors outside of our control. This completely blocked all testing at the time. After the issues were eventually resolved, I had very little time left to perform all the necessary testing activities to ensure that all issues were addressed before we went live. With the team’s support, all issues were resolved extremely quickly. We successfully met the deadline despite all the challenges. It was a very proud moment not only for me but for the entire team.

What is one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you started at Dell Technologies?

I am a perfectionist with my work and have always been used to figuring things out for myself. However, after joining Dell Technologies, I quickly learned that it was not considered a weakness to ask for help when you needed it. VxRail is a complex product, so having that expertise available in a friendly environment was key to ensuring that I was a valuable resource to the team as quickly as possible. I know now that I will always have that expertise readily available to assist me if needed.

Outside of work, what else do you enjoy? In my spare time, I love traveling. My favourite location so far has been Sicily, yet there’s many more adventures to follow! I also love gardening, walking, cooking, reading, and spending quality time with family and friends.

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