Trinity Higgins (center), served as a New Haven Promise intern at YSN for eight weeks this summer.
Yale School of Nursing (YSN) welcomed Trinity Higgins as its New Haven Promise intern in June, one of the 84 student interns spread out across the university’s campus. Higgins is a rising junior at the University of Connecticut, majoring in human development and family studies, and graduated from Hill Regional Career High School in New Haven. As a former volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House of New Haven, she brought an understanding of the needs of patients and their families.
Higgins spent eight weeks at YSN, working in a position primarily with the Communications Team while also providing support to Development and Alumni Affairs.
“It was a great pleasure to have Trinity at YSN with us this summer,” said Associate Director of Communications Lauren Langford. “She showed great curiosity and energy, was open to tackling any project with enthusiasm, and always asked great questions. She covered a lot of ground in just two months, and I highly recommend that any manager should consider welcoming a New Haven Promise intern next year.”
Higgins participated in the summer internship offered as part of the Yale West Campus Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) plan. YSN caught up with her before she begins her fall semester at UConn.
How did you become involved in the New Haven Promise program?
I became involved through high school when my guidance counselor mentioned it to me because I was an academic scholar and volunteered within my community.
What made you interested in having an internship at the Yale School of Nursing?
Nursing has always been my interest because most of my family members are in the nursing or health fields. One of my aunts was an Army nurse, and my grandmother worked in ob-gyn at Yale, so healthcare has been in my life for a long time. I also enjoy caring for others and from my personal experience as a patient I saw how nurses are so interactive and attentive.
Could you tell us about some of the projects you have worked on and skills you’ve learned along the way?
I’ve worked on updating biographies in the YSN Faculty Directory, which has been my favorite because I am learning how to use a website. I’ve worked on a few stories that have been published as well, researching different nursing schools and seeing some of the things that they do differently, and creating social media posts.
My online publications include articles on NYAM Fellows and staff awards, and I’m finishing up some pieces on the 2024 student Orientation Leaders and our new student ambassadors.
What was your favorite project or experience that took place during your summer at YSN?
I organized tours of the West Campus Farm and the Tech Tank while I was here, but my favorite experience was the tour of the simulation lab. And the team lunches! They were a great way to get to know everyone.
Do you have any advice for students who are considering a New Haven Promise internship?
Don’t be scared to go outside of your comfort zone! You’ll unlock new skills and qualities that you didn’t realize you possess. I think that happened for me when drafting stories for the website, working with Excel, and learning email etiquette.
Anything else on your mind that you’d like to share as you reflect on your summer?
I have loved every minute of interning here at YSN and I’m going to be a little sad when I leave. However, I am grateful to have been given this opportunity, especially since I am a first-generation college student. My future plans are to become a child psychologist and then pursue my career in nursing.
More on New Haven Promise
New Haven Promise is currently celebrating its 11th year and the program’s constellation of Yale sites includes 34 departments. YSN hosted its first intern in 2023.
As Director of the New Haven Community Hiring Initiatives Chris Brown shared earlier this summer, the program is determined to welcome 100 interns to Yale in 2025.
For more information and details on how to participate, Yale personnel are invited to contact Community Outreach and Engagement Manager Fallon Thomas. External partners are encouraged to contact New Haven Promise Talent Manager Casey Gargano.