Unleashing the Power of Teamwork: College Athletics Fuels Katie's Success in HR at Dell Technologies

Katie Basey | Senior Analyst, HR Generalist | Austin, TX

Originally Published: July 6, 2023

About Me:

• Based out of Austin, Texas

• Graduated from Ithaca College with a B.S. in Business Administration & Legal Studies

• Dual-citizen of both the U.S. and United Kingdom 

• NCAA Collegiate Athlete – Volleyball

• Pillars of my professional philosophy: Integrity, Growth, Excellence, Collaboration, & Empathy 

How College Athletics Prepared Me for a Career in HR:

Many of the lessons I learned about teamwork and leadership as a collegiate volleyball player have prepared me for a career in HR. In the world of volleyball, the pursuit of perfection lies within rigorous practice, yet the actual game, much like the intricacies of human response and decision-making, remains inherently flawed. No matter how many times you cycle through a scenario – both on the court or in the office – the outcome will not be successful if you do not work with your teammates. Whether engaging in on-court dynamics or office scenarios, the triumph of any endeavor hinges upon seamless collaboration with teammates. This parallel holds true for Dell Technologies: where winning together is paramount. My experience playing volleyball honed my discipline, teamwork, and commitment to achieving goals, which I now leverage in my professional endeavors.

Why I Joined Dell:

It was important to me to start my professional career with a company that aligns with my core values, as is paramount to many recent graduates and current job seekers. I wanted to work for a company that was doing good, while changing the world. A big foundation of Dell culture is “Winning Together”; that we performer better, make smarter decisions, and foster better innovations when working as a cohesive team than as individuals. We have a fierce desire to win, do good, and have an exceptional standard of excellence.

I was inspired by a Dell executive and alumnus who exemplified exceptional leadership and a genuine passion for people, highlighting the organization's unwavering commitment to excellence. During my summer internship at Dell, amidst the uncertainties of the pandemic, collaboration was pivotal to our success, enabling us to enhance the experiences of team members and customers alike. A piece of invaluable advice leader gave me that internship still resonates within me: "True success lies not only in personal achievements but in positively influencing those who contribute to your accomplishments." This embodies the essence of Dell's culture, where an unwavering dedication to giving back to the community and driving human progress prevails.

My Experience in the Human Resources Rotation Program (HRRP):

I am currently in my final rotation in the HRRP as an Organization Development Strategist. As an ODS supporting our Products & Operations organization, I contribute to the advancement of our innovative business strategy through comprehensive HR support. Currently, I provide data analytics and insights, talent strategy support, and consultative services to our Business Partners and Leader Consultants to help them effectively drive HR initiatives in the business and enable our leaders to maximize their potential.

For example, I am applying the knowledge and skills I gained from my first experience in Emerging Talent Recruiting (ETR) to revitalize our recruitment strategy within the HRRP. Our program is committed to sourcing talent from a diverse pool of exceptional candidates, with a focus on cultivating a innovative cohort with diverse backgrounds from universities across the globe. My subsequent rotation as Business Partner for the Services business unit, I provided consultative support to our People Leaders overseeing global engineering teams, which are instrumental in propelling the cutting-edge technology and platforms we deliver to the world. The HRRP has granted me invaluable experiences, ranging from networking opportunities, collaborative presentations with executive leadership teams, to spearheading initiatives aimed at shaping the future of work.

Without my experience in the HRRP, I would never have started my career in Human Resources, nor been able to transition the soft skills I earned through my collegiate athletic career to a corporate setting. Qualities like leadership, influencing, and problem-solving skills, are interpersonal capabilities successful HR professionals utilize daily. I appreciate the HRRP's commitment to attracting a diverse range of talent, including individuals with unique backgrounds like collegiate athletes. The program advocates for my career and development, while continuing to fuel my passion for learning and growth. It’s an environment where dynamic thinkers can thrive.

Why You Should Join the HRRP: The Human Resources Rotation Program at Dell provides a wonderful opportunity to explore various facets of HR within a dynamic and ever-changing technology environment. It offers an opportunity for individuals, like myself, to specialize in non-traditional HR domains. From the beginning, we are encouraged to help foster a culture of curiosity, continuous learning, and positive change at Dell – an opportunity you often find much later in career. To learn more about rotation programs and life at Dell, please visit graduates and our stories. To learn more about the HR Rotation Program at Dell, please visit our HRRP webpage.