Internship Info: Mariah Burroughs of ISG

Tell me about yourself.

I have been with ISG for almost a year and a half as the Talent Engagement Specialist. I attended MSU – Mankato where I received a Business Management degree with an emphasis on HR in May of 2021. I had one internship in college at fun.com in North Mankato, MN, and then I worked as a Temp HR Coordinator at Capstone Publishers in North Mankato, MN during my senior year of college. Upon graduation, a family friend sent over the job posting for my current position at ISG. I applied, interviewed, and started my position all within 2 weeks and haven’t looked back! I enjoy meeting new people throughout the interview and onboarding process and especially enjoy leading our internship program. Last year we hosted nearly 50 interns across all of our office locations.

Tell me about ISG.

ISG is a full-service design firm. We have 11 office locations across SD, MN, IA, and WI with nearly 500 employee owners. We are 100% employee owned which allows for broader ownership, the ability to be directly connected to performance, and our culture of accountability and opportunism is amplified. Put simply, everyone works hard = everyone benefits, not just an elite group. ISG designed the Cherapa Place Development that is currently underway along the East Bank of the Big Sioux River in downtown Sioux Falls. After the development is complete, ISG will move our almost 50 Sioux Falls employee owners into The Bancorp building with room to grow our Sioux Falls office to almost 90 employees. Cherapa Place Development | ISG (isginc.com)

Why do you love working at ISG?

Simply put, the people and the culture. From day one, each and every employee owner has been willing to jump in and help out in any way that they can. I have been encouraged by those around me to face challenges and grow as a young professional. I am continuously inspired by those around me and the work that we do. Most of all, I love that it truly feels like a family atmosphere, and I feel so lucky that I get to look forward to going to work every day.

Why do you think internships are important?

Internships are important when it comes to developing soft skills that you don’t necessarily learn in a classroom. My internship taught me so many things such as balancing schedules and learning to communicate effectively. Internships are also a great way to make sure you are going down the career path that is right for you! My internship and temp position proved that I loved the career path I chose and helped me identify the qualities that I would look for in a long-term employer in the future. Now I get to work for a company that I love, in a field that I am passionate about.

What is your favorite thing about working and living in Sioux Falls?

When I moved to Sioux Falls back in August of 2022, I immediately noticed the small town feel in a big city. Everyone I met was willing to help me get settled in and wanted to help me make connections. There are so many different opportunities for young professionals in Sioux Falls and so many different things going on. I also love that there are many small businesses to visit and support, whether it be a locally owned boutique or a coffee shop.