Trust and collaboration are key components of the MongoDB internship program, enabling interns like Erin McNulty to grow as engineers and take on new challenges. With a supportive environment that encourages curiosity and intellectual humility, interns can explore different types of software engineering and develop their working styles. The company's strong culture prioritizes collaboration, with engineers often asking questions about each other's projects and contributing to discussions. This culture has allowed Erin to thrive in her internship, trying new things and learning from her experiences, ultimately growing as an engineer who is responsible for design and execution.