Trinity College students have spent the summer gaining professional experience and developing industry-related skills through intensive internships.
This summer, the College’s Career and Life Design Center worked with about 130 students across all majors to secure academic credit and funding for experiences around the globe. Dozens more found their own internships as they explored their passions and potential career paths.
The internships covered a wide variety of fields, including healthcare, sports, banking and finance, scientific research, entertainment, nonprofits, design and architecture, and government and law.
Career and Life Design and the Center for Academic and Experiential Advising work with students earning credit for their co-curricular experiences under the Trinity Plus Curriculum. Additionally, students are eligible for funding from several sources, including the Weingarten Cross-Cultural Summer Internship Fund, the Catalyst Summer Internship Fund, the Kauff Jacobson Fellows Program, and the Schnadig Fellows Program.
Read more from Trinity students about their impactful internships:
Stella Austin ’26
Summer Internship: Research intern at DIGITAL Insights Lab, Yale School of Medicine; New Haven, Connecticut
Majors: Psychology and Sociology; Minor: Cognitive Science
Hometown: Littleton, Massachusetts
Highlights: “While I’ve worked as a research assistant at Trinity since my sophomore year, this summer gave me the opportunity to be involved in multiple large-scale studies for the first time. I really enjoyed building on the skills and knowledge I’ve gained at Trinity and applying them in a new context. This internship not only prepared me for my upcoming courses on addictive behaviors, but has also helped me clarify my future direction. I hope to pursue a full-time research position after graduation and eventually apply to graduate school. Doing research full time this summer gave me a clearer sense of what that path could look like and helped me identify the aspects of the research process that I find most fulfilling.”
Will Bannon ’28
Summer Internship: Research intern at UConn Health – Department of Molecular Biology/Biophysics; Farmington, Connecticut
Intended Majors: Neuroscience and Music
Hometown: Farmington, Connecticut
Highlights: “I conducted research under Dr. Peter Setlow focused on the factors that influence the resistance and germination of Bacillus spores. I’ve been working in this lab for over two years now, and this summer I reflected on how much I’ve grown, both as a scientist and as a person. I’ve taken on more responsibility, now leading a first-author project while contributing to several others. Experiments don’t always go as planned, so research has taught me patience, resilience, and humility. This internship has deepened the connection between what I learn in the classroom and how scientific understanding is built in practice. It has also pushed me to refine my analytical thinking, scientific communication, and ability to navigate complex problems—skills that will be essential in my future pursuits in science and medicine.”
Emma Baskin ’27
Summer Internship: Production intern for HBO Max at Warner Bros.; Culver City, California
Majors: Film Studies and Public Policy & Law; Minor: English—Creative Writing
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Highlights: “I helped keep projects running smoothly behind the scenes—managing databases, organizing production materials, and supporting day-to-day office operations. While I wasn’t on set, I got a firsthand look at how much coordination and creativity goes into bringing a show to life. Sitting in on production meetings, assisting on projects, and learning directly from industry professionals has given me real insight into how a major streaming platform operates. From attending advanced Warner Bros. screenings like F1 and Superman, to visiting iconic sets from Friends, Abbott Elementary, and Gilmore Girls, it’s been a surreal and inspiring experience! I’ve loved being part of a collaborative environment where everyone has a passion for creating meaningful content. This internship has been a powerful bridge between my film production major at Trinity and my goals of becoming a producer in the entertainment industry.”
Julian Campopiano ’28
Summer Internship: Intern/draftsperson at AJA Architecture; Glens Falls, New York
Intended Major: Urban Studies; Intended Minor: Architectural Studies
Hometown: Queensbury, New York
Highlights: “The most rewarding aspect of my experience was the opportunity to contribute to real-world projects, knowing that my efforts had a real impact on the company. Being actively involved in the creative and technical aspects of these projects not only deepened my understanding of architectural design, but also gave me a sense of purpose and fulfillment, knowing my work was both meaningful and beneficial to the team. This internship has helped to connect the hand drawing that I did in my architecture classes at Trinity to real-world application and has given me a clearer understanding of how design decisions are implemented in professional settings. The experience helped to form and solidify my interest in pursuing a career in architecture and has shown me how to use the technical tools to support my ideas and the company.”
Lucienne Dougherty ’27
Summer Internship: Medical Observer/Shadower at Atlantis; Rome, Italy
Major: Neuroscience
Hometown: Bay Shore, New York
Highlights: “The best part of my experience was the opportunity to be immersed in the Italian healthcare system, which gave me a unique perspective on how medicine is practiced outside of the U.S. I was also able to observe patient care in a variety of settings—from bustling city hospitals to smaller clinics—and witness firsthand the deep connection between culture and healthcare. Observing neurosurgery in Rome was truly surreal; it brought to life so many of the concepts I’ve studied in class at Trinity. It also deepened my interest in clinical neuroscience and affirmed my passion for pursuing a career in medicine, possibly in neurology or neurosurgery. Seeing how neurologic care is delivered in a different healthcare system added a global perspective to my studies that I know will shape how I approach patient care in the future.”
Mohaymen Ghanaem ’27
Summer Internship: Business development intern at Hyde Renewables; Boulder, Colorado
Major: Engineering
Hometown: Tripoli, Libya
Highlights: “My main duties in this internship were optimizing our workflow to make sure we meet our clients’ demands. I worked on proposals, change orders, and client calls. I also worked with engineers and project managers to ensure efficient project delivery to our clients. I really enjoyed working with a small team where I knew everyone on a first-name basis, everyone was incredibly friendly, and we ended up joining a volleyball tournament where we played weekly. Ultimately, I want to work in product management after graduation. This internship allowed me to interact with customers, work cross-functionally with engineers and managers, and showed me the business side of things. This internship, coupled with my engineering degree, give me a wider perspective on working on both the technical and the business sides of a product.”
Ivy Hillman ’27
Summer Internship: Social media marketing intern at Greenwich Historical Society; Greenwich, Connecticut
Major: Art History
Hometown: Greenwich, Connecticut
Highlights: “I worked to strengthen the organization’s digital engagement by designing visually appealing content to bring the Historical Society’s exhibitions and public programs to life, allowing me to merge my appreciation for art history with skills in brand storytelling, digital outreach, and cultural communications. One of my favorite aspects of the internship was the opportunity to collaborate with the other interns from Dartmouth and Colgate, whose intelligence and creativity inspired me. This internship has been a perfect extension of the art history and architecture courses I’ve taken at Trinity. My academic background and leisurely pursuits have all contributed to treating every exhibition, event, and post with a sense of heritage. I enjoy preserving the past while engaging the present through film and social media. Someday, I would possibly like to work at the White House, where curating, visual integrity, and public service meet on a national scale.”
Maya Kajikawa ’27
Summer Internship: Research assistant at Georgetown University School of Medicine Neuroscience Department; Washington, D.C.
Major: Neuroscience; Minor: Japanese Language
Hometown: Takoma Park, Maryland
Highlights: “I worked in Professor Italo Mocchetti’s lab, assisting Ph.D. candidate Alec Gamboa’s thesis project examining gp120-induced oligodendrocyte dysfunction and white matter damage that is observed in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder. It has been incredibly rewarding to contribute to a significant topic and see the potential impact the data could have in the field. It was a welcoming lab, where they genuinely cared about my growth as a scientist and taught me how to establish a strong foundation in rigor and reproducibility in research. This internship opened up new career and educational paths in neuroscience and medicine, while also giving me invaluable hands-on experience. I have learned research techniques that I will apply to my thesis project at Trinity in Professor Guardiola-Diaz’s lab. I also look forward to coming back to work in Professor Mocchetti’s lab to continue my project and start contributing to a manuscript for publication.”
Grace Keniry ’26
Summer Internship: Intern for the United States House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary; Washington, D.C.
Major: English; Minor: Legal Studies
Hometown: Saratoga Springs, New York
Highlights: “I supported the Committee’s daily operations by preparing for hearings and markups and assisting with research for ongoing subcommittee projects. I assisted in managing the front office by greeting Congressional staff and handling inquiries. I also performed various administrative tasks to ensure smooth and efficient office operations. The best part of my internship was gaining firsthand exposure to the legislative process and seeing how a Congressional committee operates behind the scenes. Watching hearings and markups was especially rewarding, as it offered a deeper understanding of how policy is shaped. This internship directly supports my long-term goal of attending law school. It complements my academic work at Trinity by giving me practical experience in legislative research, communication, and policy analysis, while deepening my understanding of government operations.”
Jia Kumar ’26
Summer Internship: Commercial real estate intern at Needham Bank; Needham, Massachusetts
Major: Economics; Minors: Applied Mathematics and Urban Studies
Hometown: Natick, Massachusetts
Highlights: “My internship is at a bank, and my department is responsible for commercial real estate loans. I have learned more about CRE through the lending side by providing analytical and administrative support to portfolio managers and commercial lending administrators, and preparing analysis through loan covenant testing and spreads (such as tax returns and financial statements) for commercial real estate borrowers. From my fellow interns to other CRE employees, I learned how much I actually have in common with people from various backgrounds. I started my first year at Trinity with an idea of my major and minors, but didn’t know what to do with them. I joined the Trinity College Real Estate Club my junior fall and fell in love with the industry after the club’s NYC trip, realizing how it combined so many of my strengths and interests. Since then, I’ve wanted to go into commercial real estate.”
Lizzie Nelson ’26
Summer Internship: Social media intern at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum; Cooperstown, New York
Major: Film Studies; Minor: Writing, Rhetoric, and Media Studies
Hometown: Rockville, Maryland
Highlights: “I planned, pitched, scripted, filmed, edited, and wrote copy for social media posts across platforms this summer. I introduced several new types of content, including ‘Fan on the Street’ interviews during Hall of Fame Weekend, which I’m excited to see go up soon! Editing software from my film classes, along with techniques I’ve developed through my job doing social media for Trinity’s Office of Communications and Marketing, helped me create content that aligned with the Hall’s branding while still letting an authentic voice come through. I also gave several ‘artifact spotlight’ presentations, showcasing items not normally on display to the public. Some of the coolest moments were seeing new artifacts arrive as history was being made—like holding Kyle Schwarber’s bat just 24 hours after he used it in the inaugural All-Star Game Swing-Off to secure the win for the National League. I even threw on a glove and caught at first base while Hall of Fame Weekend participants turned double plays with Jim Thome and Joe Mauer. Next year, I hope to run social media for a professional sports team. This internship gave me a taste of that and allowed me to make valuable connections in the industry.”
Juan Rayo ’27
Summer Internship: Congressional intern for the Office of U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-4); Decatur, Georgia
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Highlights: “The best part of my internship was serving my own congressional district. Assisting people with their federal-related issues, including Social Security, has been very rewarding. I have also had the opportunity to see firsthand how the federal government interacts with the community it serves, helping bridge the gap between agencies and constituents. A special opportunity for me has been serving Spanish-speaking constituents, in part by translating videos from the Congressman’s social media into Spanish. This summer I was awarded a scholarship to attend the 2025 League of United Latin American Citizens National Convention in Long Beach, California. LULAC empowers Latinos to build stronger, more resilient communities. I was exposed in my internship to the inner workings of the legislative branch, and saw how that system serves the public. A special takeaway is the importance of an informed electorate. I will return to Trinity this fall with firsthand experiences in public service and the federal government.”
Ella M. Schaffer ’27
Summer Internship: Duke STAR (Summer Training in Academic Research) Program participant/clinical research assistant at the Duke Clinical Research Institute; Durham, North Carolina
Major: Neuroscience; Minor: Biology
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Highlights: “Through the Duke STAR Program, I co-wrote a manuscript on the use of sedatives and paralytics in the management of neonates with Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN). I had the privilege to work with incredibly inspiring students and mentors from across the country on this project. Additionally, I participated in professional development seminars and workshops led by Duke University Medicine Center faculty and shadowed attending physicians in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (PCICU), and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Duke University Medical Center. The program was an invaluable resource, providing me with personal skills development, meaningful mentorship, and valuable medical experiences. I am grateful to have enhanced my scientific writing skills, expanded my clinical knowledge, and broadened my network of current and future medical professionals.”
Kathleen Tebbe ’27
Summer Internship: Undergraduate Summer Intern for the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office; New Haven, Connecticut
Major: Political Science; Minor: Legal Studies
Hometown: Ridgefield, Connecticut
Highlights: “I worked directly with prosecutors to prepare arraignment files and assist in case preparation. Each week, I rotated through various courts, including A Court, Family Court, the Gun Docket, Motor Vehicle Court, and ongoing trials. I reviewed warrants and provided recommendations on whether they should be served, conducted legal research for upcoming cases and hearings, and organized evidence and files for court. The most rewarding part was working on arraignments and getting a firsthand look at the strategies prosecutors use in the early stages of a case. What I enjoyed most was the collaboration—working with prosecutors and building connections with my fellow interns. This internship connects to my studies and my career path because I got hands-on experience working in the criminal justice system. It has shown me that I could see myself going to law school and pursuing this type of law as a possible career.”
