The lessons of starting a career in technology

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Lessons learned from Dell Technologies team members about the unconventional and difficult paths you may encounter in your tech career.

A career in technology is rarely a straight line. Many of my peers in the technology sector have followed unconventional paths influenced by the ever-changing digital landscape, just like me. However, I believe there are common attributes that can bring clarity to your vision: the drive to shape the future and the willingness to learn, pivot and explore new directions.

Dell Technologies was built on innovation , and our people are at the heart of that how to get usa whatsapp number They exemplify our ability to adapt, challenge, and discover the paths ahead. I recently asked a few technical leaders to share their personal career paths and how they arrived at their positions through non-traditional paths. While each of them has a unique story, there is one common thread: the vision and diverse perspectives gained in a career in technology have made each a stronger leader.

Lessons learned on this difficult path

Skills learned in a previous role can set you apart for future positions. While it may not be apparent at the time, the knowledge and skills you gain in one position can uniquely qualify you for your next role, even in a new field. This is especially true for Deepika Bhayana, an engineer turned intellectual property attorney. Her career at Dell Technologies began in 1997, as an EMC software engineer, working on several development teams responsible for the core technology for some of our storage solutions. When she decided she wanted to be a lawyer, it was her engineering and technical background that inspired her to pursue her career.


“My technical background informed my decisions when I transitioned . I think my time in the storage business unit put me on the right path to explore different technical and career opportunities, and the next one was my decision to go to law school,” she recalls. “And after that, I joined EMC’s in-house legal team, rather than going to a law firm because I was able to apply my technical knowledge of EMC’s storage products to my role when I transitioned internally.”

Deepika managed to earn her law degree while maintaining her engineering manager role at EMC, joining the EMC legal team upon graduation. At Dell Technologies, we focus on skills development and aim to support our team members who embrace opportunities to learn new skills and follow their passions. She is now a Senior Legal Director at Dell Technologies, leading a team of Intellectual Property lawyers and paralegals. Her technical knowledge gave her a huge advantage in her current role, where she is widely respected by both her peers and the engineers whose intellectual property she supports.

If you're passionate about technology but feel stuck, you may just need a different perspective . It's no secret: the people at Dell Technologies are passionate about technology.

Jaynene Hapanowicz, executive vice president of Technology Transformation, shared that the biggest lessons she learned were the changes she didn’t expect over her 30-year career. “I started in product development in the early days of the cloud. After ten years, I moved into IT because I wanted to experience what it was like to be the consumer of products versus the creator of them,” she said. “I walked around data centers as a kid, so technology was in my blood. I love technology, I just needed to look at it through a new lens to really find my passion.”

Explore your connected workplace . Abeye Teshome has worn many different hats in his decades at Dell Technologies. He started on the factory floor as an engineer, and now helps build the platform technology architecture for Dell PCs. After immigrating to the United States in the early 1980s, he focused on building a career for himself based on his goals and accomplishments. At first, he kept his head down, but soon realized the intrinsic value of keeping an open mind, expanding possibilities, finding the right mentors, and connecting with colleagues. “Mentors are hard to seek out,” Abeye says, “but having the perspectives and guidance of experienced colleagues is necessary and valuable. I think the key is to have a good relationship and build trust. Challenges are opportunities, and it’s important to keep an open mind.”

It’s often easy to get boxed in to specific teams and departments, but it’s important to take the opportunity to be a point of connection: consider bringing others who can offer a unique point of view into the discussion. The more diverse perspectives there are, the more likely innovative ideas will emerge. Garima Kochhar, a Distinguished Engineer at Dell Technologies, echoes this sentiment: “I’ve never been good at seeking out mentors and coaches. However, we work with many different people and teams, and collaboration not only leads to better results, but connections. We also have a responsibility to proactively reach out when we have something to offer that can help others. The support I’ve received from these contributors-turned-champions at Dell is part of our culture and a huge boost to my growth.”

Imposter syndrome is real, but you have to persevere. Starting a new job can be intimidating, and it can be especially daunting to pivot your career into a completely new field. However, it’s important to lean into your experience and the technical principles you’ve learned throughout your career. “It took me seven years to realize that I was the only woman at the table,” Jaynene shared, “[but] I was entitled to a seat at the table.” Garima added, “Sometimes it’s very intimidating to be in a group of other experts. You’re hired for the job and invited into the discussion because you know what you’re doing and you’re good at it. I had to realize that I belonged at the table in order to start speaking up and thrive in my new work environment.”