Now in its fifth year, the Trinity Technology and Leadership Internship for Women empowers students by developing technology skills and providing leadership experience.
This initiative is a collaboration between Ewa Seeta, associate professor of computer science and faculty leader of Trinity’s Center for Entrepreneurship, and leadership of Trinity’s Library and Information Technology Services (LITS). Syta said, “This internship will help us leverage Trinity’s resources and the incredible efforts of our staff and faculty to increase the participation of women in technology, especially at the executive level.”
Mia Creane ’25, Vy Sa Nguyen ’26, and Hanna Saffi ’26 are students participating in this internship program for the spring 2024 semester. In addition to receiving mentorship from Syta, interns will work closely with her LITS team to hone their skills and build connections through networking.
John M. Enghiltera, Trinity’s director of information security, said empowering female college students in cybersecurity goes beyond technology. “It’s about fostering a collaborative space where diverse perspectives intersect with leadership,” he said. “Together, we leverage cybersecurity frameworks as a guide to enable our interns to drive measurable security improvements within the University’s infrastructure. Their valuable contributions will improve our defenses.” We will not only strengthen their skills, but also ignite their passions and ensure that our hands-on, real-world experience remains at the forefront of the ever-evolving digital landscape.”
This internship also works with outside organizations and companies, specifically our sponsor Hybrid Pathways, to provide additional resources and benefits to student interns. Through this partnership, where interns receive academic credit, students not only receive a stipend for their work, but also have the opportunity to pursue summer opportunities with Hybrid Her Pathways in the future.
This internship proved to be a valuable learning experience for the three current interns. “I want to learn as much as I can about cybersecurity and apply it in the future,” Safi said. “I also hope to meet more women on the field and build relationships with my teammates.”
Each year, interns complete collaborative technology projects aimed at contributing to LITS activities and benefiting the Trinity community. This year’s interns will focus on exploring identity and access management (IAM), the digital identity management framework needed to properly control access to an organization’s data and resources. Through this project, they will improve their information technology and cybersecurity skills through hands-on experience with a variety of technology tools and cybersecurity processes, contributing to the development of a more secure access control strategy at Trinity.
Another important aspect of this internship is the development of leadership skills. The program aims to develop strong female leaders who can lead innovative solutions and drive positive change in the world of technology. Emphasizing the dual nature of technology leadership, Syta said: First, there is technical proficiency: deep knowledge and practical experience. But just as important is leadership acumen – the ability to effectively manage teams, communicate clearly, and foster an environment of collaboration and innovation. ”
In addition to gaining hands-on technology and leadership experience, student interns will have the opportunity to connect with female executives who are paving the way for diversity and inclusion in technology. Through interviews with successful female leaders in the technology industry, interns learn the importance of networking and collaboration, while building internal connections in the field.
Mr. Crane said: “Especially as a woman in her STEM field, it’s so important to approach this very male-dominated field with confidence and self-belief. An important part of the internship is the opportunity for female students to build a career in the world of cybersecurity. I am pleased to confirm that we are prepared in every way for this.”
The skills interns develop in this position will be transferable to their future endeavors, regardless of what career path they choose. Nguyen said: “This internship is not only about cybersecurity itself, but also about learning that there are other possibilities for my career, as all the resources contribute to my personal growth. I want to learn, but I also want to connect and network with other people.”
The internship has expanded over the past five years and, after a competitive application process, accepted three students this year for the second time. Even during the pandemic, internships continued in a virtual environment.
Syta said: “Each year, we have refined our selection process, expanded our audience, and shaped the program we have today. Our students consistently deliver impactful projects that resonate within their communities. I believe this great experience will be mutually enriching as the internship and our students continue to evolve.”
