ISO New England, Inc.

Power System Modeling Intern

June 2023 • Holyoke, MA

What I liked

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with ISO New England! The internship program is truly well-developed; you go on field trips, have luncheons with senior staff, participate in personal and professional growth workshops, and present a final project to the company as a culmination of all the work you did. It was a much more comprehensive program than I was initially expecting, particularly compared to my own previous experience with other internships and accounts from my peers. I really appreciated the work environment, too. I had enough tasks and projects to feel like I was learning and being challenged, and people were always available and approachable for questions, comments, and concerns. Honestly, the whole experience made me more confident in the workplace and more comfortable with thinking about life post-grad.

What I wish was different

There is a pretty significant learning curve with getting accustomed to the complexities of the company and grasping its roles/how those are fulfilled. I think that is just the nature of the industry and a multifaceted business; I don't think that is something that should be different per se, but I think it is important to be mindful that it can initially feel a little overwhelming and you just need to use your resources and keep your head on.

Advice

It goes faster than you think so ask lots of questions, take really good notes, and just try to absorb everything as it comes!

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Corporate Communications Intern

June - August 2023 • Holyoke, MA

What I liked

The company culture is unmatched at ISO New England. They have a strong work-life balance and treat the interns very well. From the free backpack to catered lunches to the housing stipend, they take care of us interns and make us feel like full-time employees. The leadership style was also awesome. Supervisors have a universal open-door policy and a hands-off approach. They help you when you need them, but do not micro-manage. I also love that the work environment is hybrid where we can be virtual 2-3 days a week.

What I wish was different

Their work-from-home software sometimes had annoying IT issues where you are unable to access work for a couple hours until it's fixed.

Advice

Talk to your coworkers and make connections. Hang out with your fellow interns outside of work to build relationships and make memories. Research UMass off-campus housing to find affordable housing that is covered by the stipend if you're from out of state.

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