Now in its fifth year, the Trinity Technology and Leadership Internship for Women empowers students by providing them with technology skills and leadership experience.
This initiative was jointly developed by Ewa Syta, Associate Professor of Computer Science and Faculty Leader for Trinity’s Center for Entrepreneurship, and the leadership of Trinity Library and Information Technology Services (LITS). Syta said: “The internship leverages Trinity’s resources, as well as the remarkable commitment of our staff and faculty, to help increase the participation of women in technology, particularly at executive levels.”
Mia Creane ’25, Vy Sa Nguyen ’26, and Hanna Saffi ’26 are the students participating in this internship program for the spring semester of 2024. In addition to mentoring from Syta, the interns work closely with the LITS team to develop their skills and build connections through networking.
John M. Ingilterra, Trinity’s director of information security, said empowering female students in cybersecurity goes beyond technology. “It’s about fostering a collaborative space where different perspectives intersect with leadership,” he said. “Together, we are using the cybersecurity framework as our guiding principle, empowering interns to drive tangible security improvements across the college’s infrastructure. Their invaluable input not only strengthens our defenses, but also ignites their passion, ensuring we stay at the forefront of the ever-evolving digital landscape with hands-on, real-world experience.”
This internship also links with external organizations and companies, particularly its sponsor, Hybrid Pathways, to offer additional resources and benefits to student interns. Through this partnership, in which interns earn academic credit, students receive a stipend for their work as well as future potential summer opportunities with Hybrid Pathways.
The internship proved to be a valuable learning experience for the three current interns. “I hope to learn as much as I can about cyber security and apply it later in the future,” Safi said. “I also hope to get to know more women in the field and develop a relationship with my fellow team members.”
Each year, interns complete a collaborative technology project designed to contribute to the work of LITS and benefit the Trinity community. This year, interns are focused on exploring Identity and Access Management (IAM), a framework for managing digital identities needed to properly control access to an organization’s data and resources. Through this project, they will advance their IT and cybersecurity skills with hands-on experience of various cybersecurity technology tools and processes, contributing to the development of more secure access control strategies at Trinity.
Another important aspect of this internship is the development of leadership skills. The program aims to cultivate strong female leaders capable of driving innovative solutions and driving positive change in the world of technology. Sita emphasizes the dual nature of technology leadership, stating, “A successful technology leader possesses a combination of two different but equally important skill sets. First, there is technical competence: deep-rooted knowledge and practical experience. Equally important, however, 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 are given the opportunity to connect with female leaders who are paving the way for diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. Through interviews with successful women leaders in the technology industry, interns learn the importance of networking and collaboration while developing inside connections in the field.
Crean said, “Especially as a woman in STEM, it’s so important to be confident and self-assured entering this male-dominated field. I am delighted that a large part of the internship ensures that female students are prepared on all fronts for a career in the world of cyber security.”
The skills that interns develop in this position will be applicable in their future endeavors, regardless of the career paths they choose. Nguyen said, “Because of all the resources that contribute to my personal development, this internship is not only about cybersecurity itself, but also about learning what other options are out there for my career. It’s mostly for learning, but I also want to connect with other people and socialize.”
The internship has expanded over its five years, accepting three students for the second time this year following a competitive application process. Even during the pandemic, the internship continued in a virtual environment.
Sita noted, “Each year we have refined our selection process and expanded the cohort, shaping it into the program it is today. Our students consistently deliver impactful projects that resonate with our community. As the internship and our students continue to develop, I believe they mutually enrich this exceptional experience.”
