Integrys Energy Group

Teri - Staff Accountant

Graduated From: University of Wisconsin – Green Bay
Graduated In: 2006
Degree: Accounting
Title: Staff Accountant

Were you assigned meaningful projects that helped you gain experience right out of school?

I was fortunate enough to belong to a work group that allowed me to jump right into my new role and take responsibility for as much as I felt comfortable. Since I was transitioning from an intern position in another area of the company, I was familiar with the systems and my co-workers. On the other hand, I had no experience with my specific position or the processes involved, so there was a lot to learn and my supervisor challenged me to put the skills I learned in college to use immediately.

Did you work alone or on a team?

I have specific job responsibilities that require me to become a specialist in that area and therefore work alone, but my work group is very supportive and we work as a team quite often, providing back-up for each other, sharing tips on best practices, and consulting each other when faced with a new challenge.

How much control over the start-to-finish process did you have?

I work very independently, forming relationships with other accountants who have more experience than myself and also with the operational employees who are directly involved with the project. This assists me in developing and/or maintaining the processes that best allow me to do my job.

Did you learn any new marketable skills?

While I am becoming more of a specialist in my area, I have also learned much about other professions and areas of the company, as well as the energy industry in general. My analytical skills have improved, my horizons have widened to include more than just accounting, and I have gained experience putting what I learned in college to use in a real world situation.

Was the work challenging and rewarding?

There is never a day when I am not challenged, and the rewards come hand-in-hand with those challenges. I am given exposure to new concepts, processes, people, and technology which allows me to grow both personally and professionally, which is very rewarding.

How did your work impact your department? The company?

My work impacts the department because being seen as somewhat of a specialist means that what I do each day represents the entire group. By having the chance to really dig into the issues related to my specific job, I also have the opportunity to make process improvements, cut costs, or bring to light an issue that may have been overlooked by someone working on the project from another perspective. It is especially rewarding to know that what I do can have an impact on the company because I am given the freedom to search for ways to provide more value to the company, our shareholders, and our customers.

What is your take on the company culture?

The company culture is one of great respect for our co-workers, the community, and our customers. Without any of those, we would not be as successful as we have been in the past. We are also a company that takes pride on past successes, learns from prior mistakes, and is constantly looking toward the future for new opportunities. It is unique to be a part of a corporation that that has such a great reputation built already, and is still continuously looking for ways to become better.

How do employees interact with one another?

Interaction between employees is also very unique because there is a mix of co-workers that have worked in the industry for many years and those who are just beginning their careers and are eager to make a difference. Our future success depends on our ability to transfer the knowledge our employees have already accumulated to those who will be the next wave of leaders, and many people are aware of that and have learned to respect the differences and strengths of both groups.

Did you get involved with any community relations projects (volunteer work) through Integrys?

There seems to always be an opportunity to get involved with the community at Integrys, a subsidiary of Integrys, and almost everyone can find a project that suits their interests and abilities. I got involved in a Back-to-School drive that gathered school supplies and monetary donations to assist lower income families with providing their children the necessary tools to attend school. In addition, I was on the steering committee for an intern charity event that spanned the entire company to raise money for the United Way. I found that to be especially rewarding because I learned more about both Integrys and the United Way, which are two great organizations. We were able to find support from all areas of the company, spanning several locations and states, and raise thousands of dollars for charity. The support we found in our fellow co-workers and many people who we had never met was inspiring and overwhelming.

Name one reason you decided to work for Integrys?

The number of opportunities at Integrys are endless, which was a major draw to the company for me. The energy industry is so unique and interesting, and there are so many different careers that people can find within this industry. I was astonished at the number of jobs I didn't know even existed. The opportunity to both move up within your department, and also move around the company to gain even more experience is boundless. I knew that by becoming a part of an organization like Integrys, I would never be bored because I will always have more to learn and more challenges to conquer.

Do you have any advice for soon to be graduates and prospective employees?

I would advise any soon to be graduates to take advantage of any internship opportunities that are available. Personally, I think that my internship afforded me more opportunities than my peers who didn't participate in an intern program. By gaining experience both in a corporate setting, and also within your chosen field of study, you can begin developing the skills that will help you to succeed after graduation. While you learn the basics in the courses you take in college, it is much easier to understand those concepts when you have the opportunity to apply them to real world situations. It also allows students to get a glimpse into what their future profession might be and have a better feel for whether that is truly what they want to do. An internship can either affirm a student's desire to proceed in their program of study, or show them that it wasn't what they thought it would be like or allow them time to possibly change their major. It may also help the student to decide what type of position he or she may be interested in upon graduation, since many times graduates aren't positive about what kind of company, position, or industry in which he or she may like to work.