Why ISG Talent Chooses DSM as Top Pick

Greater Des Moines (DSM) has been an incredible location for ISG employees to live, work and explore. As a firm with 10 Midwest office locations, 50 of our employees currently work out of our Downtown DSM office which opened in 2014. ISG’s exceptional growth has inspired us to move to a new location in the Fall of 2021, allowing us to house all of our DSM employees under one roof. We are excited about the firm’s continued trajectory and furthering our commitment to the DSM community.

ISG’s growth, however, can mostly be contributed to DSM and the excellent environment it provides for our talent pool. To showcase this, four ISG employees have been selected to provide us their view of the city and why they have chosen DSM as a place to call home:

Michael Blank — Visualization Specialist

Coming from the Twin Cities, I have found DSM to be a humble and balanced community. Minneapolis is a large city, and I often found it easy to get lost in the crowd. DSM, on the other hand, offers everything that I loved about my hometown from a recreational, professional and personal standpoint — but on a more intimate level. DSM has all I could possibly need and also has a much warmer winter!

I currently work in the Historic East Village at ISG, just across the river from downtown. Being close to the capitol, I often take a stroll on my lunch break and am immediately emerged in all that DSM has to offer. DSM provides endless opportunities for all of the disciplines ISG has in-house, from landscape architects, to engineers, to visualization specialists like myself. All are found here in DSM, and I am lucky to be a part of an amazing team.

Bethany Brittenham — Graduate Engineer

Growing up in a small town in Iowa, I was excited for the opportunity to not only be close to my boyfriend but be a part of a community that is home to many other young professionals. From concerts and entertainment venues to nearby parks and places to explore, DSM offers a small-town vibe with big city benefits — creating an exciting and unmatched atmosphere that I have come to love. The ISG DSM office is located adjacent to a concert venue, making it a convenient location to attend concerts and experience the different bands that come to town after a successful workday. Additionally, the DSM social scene is second to none, and the food is excellent, which is a definite perk.

From a work standpoint, I love the variety of projects that come across my plate. DSM offers a little bit of everything, and I am never bored. Additionally, the Des Moines office has a relaxed feel, and knowing that we will all be together under one roof in the near future makes it all the more exciting.

Peter von Qualen — Project Manager

New to ISG, I have been working out of the DSM location for just three months. Originally from western Iowa, I moved to New Orleans and most recently lived in Oklahoma City for three years — and I can wholeheartedly say there isn’t a single thing that those cities have to offer that DSM doesn’t. DSM is a fantastic place to live, offering both a great urban area and rural landscape, paired with a low cost of living.

Additionally, the DSM community is full of hard-working and genuine people with the common interest of doing what is right. I have a two-year-old and a three-month-old, and their future is something I took into consideration when looking at locations to raise my family. DSM’s quality schools were one of the first things I recognized, and I know, without a doubt, that I made the correct decision when moving here.

Micky Eberth — Graduate Engineer

Growing up in the western suburbs of Chicago, I very much appreciate living in DSM. From a logistics standpoint alone, if you were to attend an event in Chicago, it was a full-day ordeal getting to and from the venue. However, all the same events are offered in DSM, and you can go from one side of the city to the other in under thirty minutes — the highway systems are amazing!

Having just proposed to my girlfriend, our future family has been at the forefront of my decision making. The cost of living in DSM is less than other metro areas, making it extremely appealing to young professionals. It is a growing city with dynamic job opportunities, like that of ISG. Last, but not least, the food and beer in DSM is second to none, which of course is necessity. DSM combines the small-town and big city atmosphere, making it the perfect place for me to raise a family.

Named the #5 Best Place to Live in the U.S. and a Top 10 Best Place for Business and Careers, Greater Des Moines (DSM) is a city where you can have it all. Learn more about what it’s like to live here.

Are you interested in moving to Greater Des Moines (DSM)? Relocation Packets offer information on everything from neighborhoods and shopping to parks and local attractions. Or, kick start your career by checking out the DSM USA Career Center. It has over 10,000 jobs listed!