Internships a win-win for students, Sanford Lab
Dozens of South Dakota university students apply for internships in science, engineering, operations and communications
Erin Broberg’s first trip underground took place in March 2018. An intern with Black Hills State University’s communications department, she was assigned to write an article about the Robotics Competition, which is overseen by Dr. Brianna Mount, an assistant physics professor at BHSU.
“Going underground opened my eyes to the amazing science taking place in the Black Hills where I grew up,” Broberg said. “When I was offered an internship at Sanford Lab, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to help tell this incredible story.”
Every year, dozens of South Dakota university students apply for internships in science, engineering, operations and communications at Sanford Lab. The internships last for 10 weeks and give students an opportunity to work with professionals. Broberg, a senior at BHSU studying English and communications, is one of four interns selected.
“The summer internship program is a win-win for Sanford Lab and the students,” said Dr. June Apaza, director of Education and Outreach. “The students are provided a valuable real-world learning experience and Sanford Lab benefits from having these talented students in the summer workforce.”
It’s competitive process. Just ask Bradley Drake.
“This year was the third time I applied for an internship here,” said Drake, a mechanical engineering student at South Dakota State University. “In the past, I just didn’t have the right experience. This year I really focused on nuclear engineering and worked really hard because I wanted to make it in. It finally paid off.”
Drake’s familiarity with the facility goes back to his childhood—both his grandfather and father worked at the Homestake Gold Mine. Drake will be working for Sanford Lab’s engineering department. Specifically, he’ll focus on piping for the cooling system for the LUX-ZEPLIN dark matter experiment.
Alec Weber, a sophomore at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, applied for an internship after training with SD Mines’ mine rescue team at Sanford Lab. This summer, he’ll be working with underground access, working closely with the underground maintenance crew.
“I’ll be learning how to maintain infrastructure underground,” Weber said. “I want to learn the different protocols and processes that have to be in place to get things done.”
For the past four years, John Carlo Primo has kept up with Sanford Lab research—he even did a project about the world-leading research facility for his English class at Arizona State University where he is a sophomore. Primo will be working with the science department.
“I’m currently in an exploratory math science engineering program because I love science,” Primo said. “I hope being here helps me decide what major I’m going to take.”
Jaret Heise, science director at Sanford Lab, said he is looking forward to having Primo on the team.
“When we interviewed Carlo for the intern position, he impressed us with his enthusiasm and initiative,” Heise said. “With all the activities going on, we’re excited to have Carlo join the Science Department for the summer.”
Drake, who witnessed the closure of Homestake, was glad to see the facility become a world-leading research laboratory. “Sanford Lab is helping put Lead back on the map. So, even though I’m only here for 10 weeks, I’m excited that I’ll be able to say I worked here.”