Olivia Kao, MILR '26
ICS Scholar at the Institute for Compensation Studies
The Institute for Compensation Studies (ICS) provides students with valuable resources and hands-on learning opportunities for those interested in total rewards. Prior to joining the MILR program, I had already developed a strong interest in total rewards, as it touches every stage of the employee lifecycle. After learning about ICS through alumni, I decided to join the program to further deepen my understanding of compensation and rewards strategy.
Through ICS, I gained exposure to how different types of rewards contribute to employee experience and organizational outcomes. The program also provided practical experience using market data to inform compensation decisions and design effective reward systems. This combination of conceptual learning and applied analysis strengthened my ability to think strategically about total rewards.
Following the program, I had the opportunity to intern with KLA’s Total Rewards team. My project focused on defining and standardizing a global rewards framework for a specific employee group. This involved developing tools, processes, and resources to ensure consistency at the enterprise level while maintaining regional compliance, flexibility, and scalability.
The knowledge and skills I developed through ICS—including working with market data, understanding reward structures, and applying analytical thinking and storytelling skills—enabled me to quickly ramp up and contribute meaningfully to my work. This experience reinforced my interest in pursuing a career in compensation and total rewards.
Overall, ICS has been an incredibly valuable experience that bridged academic learning and real-world application. I would highly recommend the program to students who are interested in developing expertise in compensation and total rewards.
