 Over the next ten years, she alternated between being a housewife and working part-time at law offices in Tórshavn while her husband was abroad.Petersen served as the project secretary for the National Museum of the Faroe Islands from 1980 to 1992, and as party secretary for the Union Party from 1982 to 1987.Petersen joined local party organization of the Union Party in Tórshavn early in her career.