Intern finds experience rewarding

For 15 years, Christel Peters traveled the country as a registered respiratory therapist. Turns out, it wasn’t her passion.

“I hated it,” said Peters, a Black Hills State University communications major.

But in 2014, her life took a turn, leading her to change careers and sending her back to the classroom. It was then she volunteered with Hike It Baby, a blog focusing on creating enthusiasm for the outdoors. Eventually she became the Blog Editor.

“I taught myself how to successfully manage a blog and I found myself enjoying what I was doing so much that I would think, ‘I wish this could be my real job!’ And then one day, I thought, ‘Why can't it be my real job?’ I decided to quit my job and go back to school full-time. I don’t regret it."

Today, Peters is working toward her dream. And from May through July, she served as the communications intern for Sanford Lab.

“I was hopeful I would get the internship but knew it was competitive,” Peters said. “When I learned that I had been chosen, I immediately called my sister to share my excitement. Then, I started reading the Sanford Lab website to prepare.”

“Christel did a fantastic job for us,” said Constance Walter, communications director. “She arrived prepared and excited. Her work was top-notch.”

Peters worked on events like Neutrino Day and the LBNF groundbreaking, managed social media, and wrote numerous articles. She assisted Matt Kapust, creative services developer at Sanford Lab, in creating the content for the LUX exhibit at the Visitor Center, edited articles and, once, may have picked up coffee for Walter.

“I enjoyed getting hands-on experience and talking with the people I interviewed for articles,” Peters said. “I also enjoyed touring the Waste Water Treatment Plant and interviewing visitors on Neutrino Day.”

But the highlight of her tenure at Sanford Lab? “The rope inspection with Rick Tinnell.” That experience required her to get outfitted in fall protection gear and ride on top of the Yates cage—from the surface to the 4850 Level.

“I learned that you can write about anything professionally—even physics—by knowing how to interview those who DO know what it is you are writing about. Now, I don’t feel boxed in when it comes to job searching. If I can write about photomultiplier tubes and neutrinos then I can write about anything. I learned that I truly enjoy working in communications and I’m not going to regret this major life decision.”

Peters graduates in December. Although she doesn’t have any firm plans at the time, she’s confident that the future holds promise.

“Watching Connie and Matt work was very affirming for me,” Peters said. “I worked with two people who actually enjoy their jobs and like coming to work. Hopefully I will find work that is rewarding and fun—in a place that I feel is the best for my family.”