From Information Technology to Member Solutions, interns are making a measurable impact for members across the system
At Hoosier Energy, the internship program isn’t just about developing future talent, it’s about delivering value to member cooperatives. By placing interns across several different departments and giving them meaningful, hands-on projects, Hoosier ensures their work contributes not only to internal success but also to the broader cooperative network.
Hoosier Energy currently employs 17 interns throughout the company who all contribute to the company’s mission in unique ways.
In the IT Department, Charlie Nicholson, a senior at Indiana University, has made an impact that transcends his role as an intern.
Nicholson is leading a comprehensive analytics project examining Hoosier Energy’s rebate and incentive programs. His work included identifying seasonal trends in application volume, analyzing correlations with federal interest rates, and uncovering shifts in consumer behavior over the past five years. He also explored variables such as approval rates, regional participation, and urban vs. rural adoption, producing interactive dashboards and statistical reports to support strategic planning.
When asked about Nicholson, Heather Hughet, Technology Support Services Coordinator at Hoosier Energy said, “He has been instrumental in the Safety and Training department requests for items to be 3D printed for their training sessions. Charlie has looked at every opportunity as a learning experience, ready with questions on how things work, why we do them the way we do and even trying to grasp how Hoosier sells power into the MISO market.”
Another intern who has made a key contribution is Austin Dalton, a senior at Wabash College, working with Member Solutions.
During his internship, Dalton played a key role in documenting and improving the Energy Efficiency Collaborative Platform (EECP) rebate process for member cooperatives, collaborating with Barbara Hirstius to map workflows, clarify decision points, and draft a user manual for internal use. He authored a step-by-step processing guide for applications
in the EECP platform. Dalton also supported data analytics on Hoosier’s rebate and incentive programs, identifying trends in peer utility programs and consumer behavior.
The work of Dalton and Nicholson is an example of what Hoosier Energy’s interns are doing daily to provide value not only for the G&T, but across the entire cooperative network. As Hoosier continues to invest in its internship program, the value and benefits for member cooperatives increases.
Interns like Dalton and Nicholson demonstrate that young professionals at Hoosier Energy can contribute in ways that directly support our member cooperatives. From improving program efficiency to enhancing data-driven decision-making, their work strengthens the systems and services that members rely on every day. Their success reflects the internship program’s growing role not only in workforce development, but in upholding cooperative principles like education, collaboration, and service to members. These principles define the mission shared across the Hoosier Energy network.