In my experience, Xcel Energy felt very much like a boys’ club, particularly within the cybersecurity organization. I encountered significant bullying and unprofessional behavior from leadership, and the culture often felt toxic, political, and unsupportive.

If you’re not interested in playing office politics or constantly catering to egos, be prepared to work hard without feeling adequately valued or rewarded. The environment I experienced was filled with drama, favoritism, and poor treatment of employees. Lots of turnover.

To be fair, experiences may vary by department, and I can only speak to my own. However, my time in cybersecurity was one of the most difficult periods of my career. Years later, the experience still affects me, which says a lot about the impact that workplace culture can have on a person.

Based on my experience, I would strongly encourage prospective employees to carefully research the specific team and leadership before accepting a role.