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The Pillars of an Award-Winning Program
MISO was selected as a 2023 Campus Forward Award Winner for their unwavering commitment to seeking out and hiring early career talent, their emphasis on diversity & inclusion, and investments in nurturing and retaining the next generation of talent. Please see below for the highlights of their approach to early career recruitment.
Demonstrated Investment in Early Career Hiring
The energy industry is rapidly changing. As the power grid changes, so does MISO’s approach to meeting energy demands. MISO believes that early career talent is a necessity to discover fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the challenges it faces every day. Through community outreach with eight Employee Resource Groups, or campus partnerships with the recruiting team, MISO is committed to educating early talent about careers in the energy industry and how these students can make a positive impact on the grid of the future.
Innovative and Multi-Faceted Approach to University Recruitment
The energy industry is complex — and MISO leverages multiple resources to build awareness, to educate, and to assist early talent in discovering future career opportunities. The MISO recruiting team is dedicated to building a diverse talent pipeline through colleges and universities both in-person and virtually. The team crafted individual events tailored to the needs of emerging students including resume reviews, interview prep sessions, and general information sessions regarding MISO's work in the industry. The recruiting team has also created dedicated partnerships with HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions. Through the MISO Summer Internship Program, students are able to receive hands-on industry experience. MISO has also continued to build awareness in local communities with outreach through eight ERGS, which created STEM outreach programs at local elementary schools. In spring 2022, MISO also launched a mentorship program which partnered employees with at-risk fifth graders.
Overarching Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
MISO recognizes that diversity and inclusion in the workplace is key to addressing the challenges facing both the company and the industry — which led to MISO hiring its first Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer in 2020. Shortly following MISO's newest Operating Committee member was the creation of the Diversity and Inclusion Team, encompassing both the Internship Program and New Employee Onboarding processes. The D&I team dedicates focus to building partnerships and uplifting underrepresented communities through both universities and national organizations such as NSBE, AABE, SHPE, and SWE. In 2022, MISO launched its first inaugural Accessing Careers in Energy Summit (ACES), which sponsored 20 students from 5 HBCUs in an energy case competition. Additionally, the D&I team leverages MISO's eight ERGS to support early career talent by creating a safe and inclusive culture both for internal employees as well as future talent.
Impactful Internship Program
MISO's Summer Internship Program has been around for sixteen years. One of the most important aspects of MISO's internship program is to grow interns into well-rounded individuals, both professionally and personally, who are prepared to enter the workforce. Each intern will be exposed to several new tools to contribute to their professional success, including events such as financial wellness seminars, professional headshots and resume reviews, and exposure to MISO's executive teams through networking sessions. Additionally, MISO places each student into a Buddy POD, designed to provide additional support through project work while also giving the opportunity to explore different aspects of the company. In 2022, 70% of MISO's internship class received a returning job offer or an offer to return for an additional summer internship.
Growth and Development of the Next Generation of Talent
MISO's commitment to early talent does not end once a candidate is hired. All employees complete a robust onboarding process to provide them with the necessary tools and information to be successful as they acclimate. Additionally, new employees are introduced to MISO's eight ERGs to provide an additional layer of support and community to all employees by creating safe spaces to ask questions or to connect authentically with others. MISO has additional development opportunities for all employees, including a tuition assistance program for further education, reimbursement for certifications or membership fees to national organizations (NSBE, AABE, SHPE, etc.), and a rotational program (VOLT) for young talent interested in pursuing careers in leadership. MISO's dedicated Talent Development Team also creates in-depth learning modules and other resources to continue educating internal employees, no matter how far they are into their careers.