At SDN Communications, we believe some of the best talent is grown right here at home. Our internship program isn’t just about gaining experience it’s about building careers. Over the past year, we’ve had the opportunity to highlight summer interns, but we’ve had the joy of watching four individuals turn their internships into full-time roles, bringing fresh ideas, strong work ethic and a passion for the industry to our team.
Meet Abby Johnson, Philip Brooks, Brady Andersen and Megan Ives four team members who started as interns and are now making an impact every day at SDN.
Abby Johnson, Marketing Specialist
Abby Johnson joined SDN as a marketing intern, where she quickly became a key part of the team. Through hands-on experience and collaboration, she developed her skills in content creation, campaign support and design making her transition to a full-time Marketing Specialist a natural next step.
What initially drew you to the SDN internship program, and what made you want to stay?
I first learned about SDN’s internship program through a classmate who was their previous intern. I later connected with my now supervisor, Hannah Boquet, at a career fair while I was at SDSU. Our conversation stood out to me because of her interesting background and the variety of work the marketing team takes on. It was my first career fair and I was nervous, but the SDN team made me feel comfortable and excited to ask questions. What ultimately drew me in and made me want to stay was the people and the collaborative, supportive culture, along with the opportunity to be part of creative and meaningful work.
How did your internship prepare you for your current full-time role?
My internship prepared me by giving me real responsibility and trust from the start. I was able to take ownership of projects and contribute in meaningful ways, which made the transition into a full-time role feel natural. Even as an intern, I felt like a valued member of the team, and that support encouraged me to be adaptable, take initiative and grow my skills across different types of projects and events. It built a strong foundation that helped me step confidently into my current role and continue developing professionally.
What has been your favorite project or moment so far at SDN?
One of my favorite experiences at SDN has been SoDak Circuit, our free esports competition this past fall. As a graphic designer fresh out of college, it was incredibly rewarding to see a project come to life from initial ideas to the final event. Being there in person and watching the community engage with something I helped create made the experience even more meaningful. Seeing how my designs contributed to the energy of the event and became part of people’s experiences reinforced my passion for this work and helped me grow as a designer by thinking more intentionally about how design shows up in real world environments.
Philip Brooks, Managed Services Technician
Philip Brooks began his journey at SDN as a NOC intern, gaining real-world experience in network support and troubleshooting. His dedication to learning and problem-solving helped him grow into a full-time Managed Services Technician, where he now plays a vital role in supporting customers and maintaining reliable service and UPTIME.
What skills or experiences during your internship helped you most in transitioning to full-time?
I believe starting at SDN as an intern was fantastic as I was exposed to a plethora of different skill groups and different scenarios the NOC observed. I learned a lot about how SDN delivers connectivity to each customer and how it all ties together. I also got to shadow other departments such as the Managed Services team which is where I ultimately landed full time. With the skills and knowledge I gained in data operations, particularly in fiber and router configurations, I’ve been able to better understand both departments and deliver more relevant information to customers and internal teams. [HB2]
What does a typical day look like for you now compared to when you first started?
My days have drastically changed since I started full time. At first, I spent a lot of time asking questions, listening to customer calls, observing different projects and getting hands-on experience. Once I became more comfortable with the hardware, I was able to transition to building customer relationships through meetings and calls. I now start my day by checking our daily reports for any issues that have occurred overnight. Throughout the day, I spend a lot of time making sure tickets are updated, researching any ongoing projects and fielding any new customer issues that need immediate attention.
What advice would you give to current or future SDN interns?
It wasn’t long ago that I was the one in the same position asking people for advice on how to better my work and what I can do to better understand the overall processes here at SDN. Along the way, I was surrounded by amazing people taking time out of their day to educate me on processes and even assist me on certain issues I struggled with. My advice to future SDN interns is “do not be discouraged”. There is a lot of information to learn in a short period of time which sometimes can become overwhelming. Most importantly, do not be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand something. We are more than happy to explain concepts or anything else you have questions about. The most important thing is to always have fun!
Megan Ives, Marketing Specialist
Megan Ives also started as a marketing intern, bringing creativity and a fresh perspective to the team. During her internship, she built experiences across multiple areas of marketing, from social media to event support. Today, as a full-time Marketing Specialist, she continues to help tell SDN’s story in meaningful ways.
What was the biggest learning curve during your internship, and how did you overcome it?
The biggest learning curve I experienced during my internship was learning how to manage my time. In school, you typically focus on one or two projects at a time, so I had to quickly adjust to balancing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously. I learned how to prioritize tasks, break larger assignments into manageable steps and stay organized even when everything felt urgent. It also pushed me to strengthen my communication skills by checking in regularly, asking clarifying questions and making sure expectations were aligned. Looking back, that challenge helped me grow the most, and it’s a skill I continue to rely on every day.
How has your role evolved since becoming full-time?
After moving into a full-time position, my role has expanded from primarily focusing on Graphic Design and Photography to also handling merchandise orders, designing maps and supporting a range of broader marketing initiatives. As I’ve grown within the department, my responsibilities have continued to evolve. Since joining the company in 2024, I’ve taken on additional work in developing campaigns and executing designs across different areas of marketing, which has helped me build a stronger and more well‑rounded skill set.
What do you enjoy most about being part of the SDN team?
What I appreciate most about being part of the SDN team is the people. Everyone understands the impact of our work and the value SDN places on each of us. We’re not treated as just another number; we’re each an important part of a larger whole that succeeds because everyone contributes. I’m particularly thankful for my team. I feel comfortable bringing anything to them, and I know they’ll always be there to help.
I also enjoy being part of the Great Ideas Group (GIG), which plans employee events such as the Christmas Party and Summer Picnics. These events are a great way to connect with coworkers, and I find it just as rewarding to help plan them as it is to attend.
Brady Andersen, Voice Service Technician
Brady Andersen started as an intern in voice services, where he gained hands-on experience working with voice systems and learning the technical side of telecommunications. Through his time as an intern, Brady built a strong foundation in troubleshooting and customer support, helping him transition into his current role as a full-time Voice Service Technician.
What interested you most about working in voice services when you started your internship?
What interested me the most when I started my internship was how much was happening behind the scenes to make something as simple as a phone call work. I was really drawn to the mix of technical troubleshooting and real-world impact.
What has been the most valuable skill or lesson you’ve carried from your internship into your full-time role?
I think learning how important communication is. Whether working with members, vendors, or coworkers, being able to clearly explain an issue or ask the right questions. Communication is so important.
What do you find most rewarding about your work today?
Getting to work with all the different members across South Dakota. Every member has different needs and challenges, so it’s rewarding to help support them and build those relationships.
Building the Future, Together
Abby, Philip, Megan and Brady each followed a different path, but they share a common experience starting as interns and growing into full-time team members who contribute to SDN’s success every day. Their stories reflect the value of investing in people, providing real opportunities and creating an environment where individuals can learn, grow and thrive.
At SDN, we’re proud to support the next generation of talent and look forward to seeing where their journeys take them next.
