Field Work Term
Hone your ideas in the classroom, and test them through hands-on work in the world—every year.
Learning at Work—All Year, Every Year
At Bennington, we understand that deep learning requires a sustained mix of classroom time and real-world experiences that build on each other over four years. 100% of our students complete an internship or field experience for six weeks every year through our nearly 100-year-old field work term. Two thirds of our students also work year-round in our nationally-recognized student employment programs, offering additional opportunities for mentorship, evaluation and skill development in campus and community settings. On average, students graduate with eight professional work experiences—offering clarity and confidence to succeed in the world of work. 93% of our graduates are employed or in graduate school six months after graduation, and 76% of our students land a first job closely aligned with their academic study.
Student Success
In each of their four FWTs, students bring their studies to the world of work, implementing knowledge, confronting challenges firsthand and refining their questions to further shape their studies when back on campus.
Employer Satisfaction
According to a national survey of 50,000 employers, the single most important credential for a college graduate entering the workforce is internship experience. Take it from employers, Bennington interns have what it takes.
LIFE SATISFACTION
Bennington students learn from the annual experience of Field Work Term how to live engaged, satisfied lives. 77% of our recent graduates report engagement with their first job, nearly double the national average.
CHOOSING A FIELD WORK EXPERIENCE
With support from the Office of Career Development and Field Work Term and academic advisors, students choose from a broad array of work-learning experiences to fulfill their annual field work experience requirement. FWT options include:
- internships during either the summer or winter period
- fellowships in specific content areas with a cohort of other students
- eligible campus work
- volunteer/community engagement activity
- study away programs
- independent study/advanced research
- professional certification or apprenticeships
All field work experiences are listed on Handshake, the College’s career and experiential opportunities database, which offers access to thousands of learning opportunities across the country and the globe. Students are not required to find an opportunity through Handshake; many find field work on their own, adding to our ever-growing employer pool.
GETTING IT DONE
Every student is required to complete 200 hours of qualifying field work every year, which translates into 6 weeks of full-time work. While the majority of students complete field work over the College’s signature winter term, the field work experience requirement can also be met by alternate timing, including:
- Approved campus work or volunteer community engagement activity at six hours per week for the full academic year
- Qualifying study away or fellowship opportunities during the fall or spring terms
- Specialized summer internships including Research Experience for Undergraduates (REUs)
Students receive a Pass / Marginal Pass / Fail assessment based on completion of required job search assignments, field work hours, and reflective work; adherence to the student agreement regarding on-the-job expectations; and supervisor feedback via exit evaluations
FINANCING FIELD WORK
Tuition is not charged for field work experiences. However, students are responsible for meeting their own expenses and can draw on the following resources to do so:
- Faculty-sponsored research and campus work opportunities
- College funded fellowships in the arts and social change
- External grant funding for specific fellowships and apprenticeships
- Paid internships; need-eligible students electing to pursue unpaid internships may be eligible for a College stipend of $500 to offset travel costs
Upcoming Events
Contact Us:
fwt@bennington.edu | 802-440-4321