Meet Our 2021 Summer Interns

Each year, NorthWestern Energy welcomes a new group of interns for the summer. From researching electric vehicle chargers to designing and creating brochures for customers, our interns have the unique opportunity to learn the behind the scenes of working in the utility industry.

Sherwin Distor

Title: Marketing and Communications Intern School: University of Nebraska Hometown: Sioux Falls, South Dakota Major: Marketing

Favorite task during your internship?

My favorite task has been working with developers and community members around Sioux Falls, Tea and Harrisburg. We do a lot of work in these areas, so it’s nice to meet the people living there.

Favorite thing about NorthWestern:

The people and the culture is fantastic. Everyone is so kind and welcoming that I felt right at home on my first day on the job. Future plans: I’m going into my junior year this fall, so for the next two years, I plan to focus on college. After graduation, I plan to further my education through a master’s program or pursue my interest by working in the energy industry. Before that, however, I want to travel around and experience different cultures. I think it would be really cool to visit Japan.

Matthew Leners

Title: Intern Financial Analyst School: Iowa State University Hometown: Ames, Iowa Major: Actuarial Science

Favorite task during your internship?

I really enjoyed the variety of things I’ve been given to work on. A few that stand out are researching ESG (environmental, social and governance) and presenting my findings, as well as looking into electric vehicle chargers, brands, and the electrical requirements of them.

Favorite thing about NorthWestern:

My favorite thing about NorthWestern is the people who work here. All of the people I worked with were happy to help me with any questions I had, and they went out of their way to make me feel welcome, whether I was in the office or working from home. Future plans: I’m planning to graduate in the spring. After graduation I plan to work in finance or insurance. I am also considering grad school for finance or economics.

Benjamin Pond

Title: Data Science Intern School: South Dakota State University Hometown: Ipswich, South Dakota Major: Mathematics

Favorite task during your internship?

Learning to use Tableau and build dashboards for reports.

Favorite thing about NorthWestern:

Everyone has been very helpful during my internship. It’s been nice to get support while getting situated. Future plans: Return to South Dakota State for a graduate degree in statistics.

Tanner Kump

Title: Meter Upgrade Communications Intern School: Montana Tech Hometown: Butte, Montana Major: Business and Information Technology

Favorite task during your internship?

Assisting in the creation and design of the Montana meter upgrade webpage and brochure.

Favorite thing about NorthWestern:

The people. I have met so many great workers at this company who have brought me in and treated me like an adult, not an intern. Future plans: Finish up both degrees in December, hopefully continue to work for NorthWestern Energy.

Riley Walsh

Title: Electrical Engineering Intern School: Montana Tech Hometown: Butte, Montana Major: Electrical Engineering

Favorite task during your internship?

My favorite task working as an intern would have to be learning the net metering process.

Favorite thing about NorthWestern:

NorthWestern Energy has to be my favorite company of all time. The way they give back to the community and their employees is unmatched. Future plans: I plan to graduate from Montana Tech with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. After I graduate, I would love to work in my hometown of Butte, Montana, for NorthWestern Energy.

Hydro License Compliance Intern Joseph Hagengruber, left, samples water alongside Hydro Compliance Professional Jordan Tollefson at Mystic Dam in Montana.

Alissa Byrd

Title: Internal and External Communication Intern School: University of South Dakota Hometown: Huron, South Dakota Major: Media and Journalism: Strategic Communication

Favorite task during your internship?

I have worked on various projects since I have started this internship, but my favorite project was assisting with creating the new company website. It’s always amazing to see the transformation process of an old website to a new website!

Favorite thing about NorthWestern:

The people I work with within my department. I love seeing what other people visualize creatively because everyone sees things in a different light, and that is something I have always found fascinating. Teamwork makes the dream work, right?! Future plans: I graduated from college in May and recently moved to Sioux Falls. So, right now, you could say I am adjusting to “adulting” life. My plans involve growing my career in the marketing and communications world, as well as traveling as often as possible!

Joseph Hagengruber

Title: Hydro License Compliance Intern School: Carroll College Hometown: Helena, Montana Major: Environmental Science

Hydro License Compliance Intern Joseph Hagengruber collects macroinvertebrates in a Montana creek.

Favorite task during your internship?

Performing fish surgeries on trout species in the Clark Fork River near Thompson Falls. NorthWestern Energy is conducting a fish utilization study to see how fish use the fish ladder. I helped with the collection of fish, and implanting radio telemetry tags to monitor and track the fish.

Favorite thing about NorthWestern:

The resources and funding the company puts into maintaining a healthy and safe environment. NorthWestern Energy prides itself in creating a clean and sustainable energy source. The company is committed to supporting fisheries, habitat and wildlife monitoring projects around the state of Montana. I feel very fortunate to work and represent NorthWestern Energy. Future plans: I hope to move on and get my master’s degree in fisheries biology or fisheries management.

Lucas Gibb

Title: Engineer Intern School: Duke University Hometown: Billings, Montana Major: Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science

Favorite task during your internship?

Designing my own projects because I have more freedom and that is also when I feel like I am applying my engineering knowledge the most.

Favorite thing about NorthWestern:

The co-workers! The Bozeman division is very welcoming and a great place to learn and work. Future plans: Graduate from Duke in 2023 and either pursue a job where I’m using both of my majors or continue my education and get some sort of master’s in engineering.

Nick Clawson

Title: Grid Operations Engineer Intern School: Montana Tech Hometown: Billings, Montana Major: Electrical Engineering

Favorite task during your internship?

Next day studies.

Favorite thing about NorthWestern:

A great learning environment to get me introduced into the world of power systems to determine what the correct path for my future career is. Future plans: To graduate from college with my degree in electrical engineering and pursue a career in power systems.

By The Numbers: Our Internship Program

2015

Year the intership program was relaunched

60

Number of interns who have gone through the program

16

Number of interns who have been hired for permanent positions