Every summer, the Dr Pepper Museum is enriched by the enthusiasm and insights of our dedicated interns. Each intern brings a unique perspective and a keen interest in the museum’s history and environment. In this blog, our summer interns have shared their reasons for choosing the Dr Pepper Museum for their summer internship and the experiences they are gaining during their time with us. Continue reading to learn more about how each of the Dr Pepper Museum’s interns have helped our efforts this summer!
Montana Copeland-Exhibition Intern
While pursuing my master’s degree in public history at Texas State University, I sought out the opportunity to work in a museum this summer, as museums are the most accessible way for people to interact with and learn about history. Earlier this year, I visited the Dr Pepper Museum for the first time and absolutely loved my experience! So, when I saw postings about internship opportunities with the Dr Pepper Museum I applied right away. Interpreting history with and for the public has been my career trajectory since I learned it was an option, and my experience this summer has not only solidified this passion but strengthened it—if that were even possible!
My main task this summer has been researching local African American & Hispanic history and transcribing my findings into wall text for one of our exhibits. Through my research endeavors, I have been given the opportunity to build professional connections with traditional and public historians with organizations like the Texas Historical Commission and Baylor University! I have also learned valuable skills pertaining to the creation of a new exhibit, updating interpretive panels on pre-existing exhibits, and general upkeep at the museum. All in all, the most rewarding part of this internship is all of the knowledge and experience of museum exhibit work that I will leave with and continue to build upon in the future!
Shaleeta Martin- Collections Intern
My growing interest in collections and curiosity about the Dr Pepper Museum ultimately motivated me to pursue this internship. Having had a class with Rachael and hearing about it throughout the semester, I was interested in learning more about this museum. Eventually, I came across the collections internship. I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to support my growing interest in collections while also experiencing what the Dr Pepper Museum had to offer.
Eventually, I came across the collections internship. I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to support my growing interest in collections while also experiencing what the Dr Pepper Museum had to offer.
This experience, as it relates to my career goals, is truly just the beginning of figuring out where I want to be long-term. It has undoubtedly provided valuable insights into the world of collections, making me eager to learn more.
My responsibilities have varied depending on the day’s tasks; however, my primary responsibility has been verifying and updating metadata from recently digitized films. This mainly consists of viewing the footage to ensure no playback issues and documenting any significant information for the record. Through this project, I have learned so much about the company’s history from such a unique perspective, an experience few people can say they have. What I have found to be the most rewarding part of my internship here is knowing that my work is helping to contribute to the future of the collection and the connections that I have been able to form with those I have worked with during my time here.
Erika Rodriguez- Collections Intern
I chose the Dr Pepper Museum because I wanted to gain some experience and diversify my skills in this area. I had also heard from a friend that the work environment was great which was another factor of wanting to apply here. This internship aligns with my career goals by giving me new tools that will better prepare me for my future.
My daily responsibilities may vary depending on what is going on. For the most part my daily task has been to verify and update metadata from recently digitized film. Along with that task, I will also be sorting the physical copies of the film and working on the curation of several exhibit cases for an upcoming exhibit.
One of the most rewarding parts about my internship has been building connections with people that are or will be in the museum field. I have been able to fully immerse myself into the field and get insight into what is to come. The work that I have done has also been rewarding knowing that I will have made the process of finding the metadata easier.
Lanie Varnell- Collections Intern
My career aspiration is to manage museum collections. As a collections intern, the experience I’m gaining aligns directly with my goals. The opportunity to work in collections is a part of the reason I decided to choose the Dr Pepper Museum for my summer internship. The other factor in my decision was that the Dr Pepper Museum seemed to have a positive work environment and value their employees.
On a daily basis, I usually work with the 7UP archives: sorting them, organizing boxes, and ensuring that they are stored with proper archival materials. I believe that what I am learning, along with making connections with other museum professionals, is the most rewarding aspect of my internship at the Dr Pepper Museum.
Isaiah Abts- Education and Programs Intern
I was inspired to do the summer internship at the Dr Pepper Museum for a couple of different reasons. I was inspired to get an internship here because I absolutely love history. With previous museum volunteer experience, working at the Dr Pepper Museum gave me an exciting chance to learn about something that I had no previous knowledge about. Lastly, I was inspired to work here knowing that the experience would help me develop my interpersonal skills. I’ve gotten to interact and work with amazing people, as well as meet visitors from all over the world.
After working here, I plan on going into land survey. Although giving tours at a museum and doing land survey may not have a lot in common, my experience at the Dr Pepper Museum gives me transferrable skills to my goal of land surveying. Working here has helped me work on socializing with other people, which is something I will need as a land surveyor. Also, land survey includes history, something that the Dr Pepper Museum specializes in.
I’ve been tasked to work on several assignments here at the Dr Pepper Museum. I have assisted in leading field trips and tours, as well as leading the Extreme Pepper Experiences, the museum’s only in-depth guided tour offered to guests. I’ve done Keurig Dr Pepper Liquid Lab shows, which are 15-minute presentations all about soda science. I’m currently working on creating a new liquid lab presentation with a focus on Keurig Dr Pepper’s corporate mission.
The thing I find most rewarding here working at the Dr Pepper Museum is giving people an enjoyable experience. I enjoy teaching people about new things and giving them an experience that they will remember.
