Planning Your FWT: A First-Year Timeline

Planning Your FWT: A First-Year Timeline

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• Summer—Mid-September | What would you like to do for FWT?

  • Brainstorm interests, skills to develop, and fields to explore.
  • Think about what you want to get out of your education at Bennington, and this year in particular.

• Summer—Late-September | Prepare your résumé/know how to write a cover letter

  • Attend a résumé workshop for help if needed.
  • Come to the FWT and Career Development Office during walk-in hours, or leave a draft in the drop-box for review.
  • Get great online info at the FWT website.

• Summer – Early October | Identify employers of interest

  • Search for advertised FWT positions online.
  • Your login is the same as for your Bennington webmail.
  • Use paper and online resources available in the FWT and Career Development Office and on the FWT site.
  • Talk to other students, faculty, the FWT staff, friends—anyone—and get the names of people who might be able to help you identify employers.
  • Use the resources available through the FWT and Career Development Office to find alums and parents who might be able to offer advice.

• September—Mid-October | Contact employers

  • Apply for advertised positions as requested by employers (if specified).
  • Call employers to inquire about unadvertised positions and to learn how they would like you to apply.
  • If no phone number is available, send an email inquiry (be sure to adhere to the standards of professional business correspondence).
  • Send an “Employer Brochure” (available in the FWT and Career Development Office) to employers unfamiliar with FWT.

• Late-September—October | Determine fit with employers

  • Interview with employers (in person or on the phone) to determine fit.
  • Be clear about your goals and abilities when speaking with employers; ask questions to ensure this will be a good opportunity.

• Mid-October—Early November | Secure job – start looking for housing

  • Finalize position details. Send a confirmation in writing to be sure everything is clear.
  • Begin looking for housing – talk to others, use FWT resources, check online resources.
  • Apply for an FWT grant if needed (by October 21).
  • Request an extension if you qualify (by November 14).

• Early–Mid-November | Secure housing

  • Finalize your housing arrangements. No later than November 16.
  • Register your job! Late November: Confirm registration.
  • Check your Bennington email to be sure your registration was confirmed.

• Early—Mid-December | Prepare to go

  • Contact the FWT and Career Development Office if you have not received an email to your Bennington email account with your FWT packet.
  • Print your FWT packet if you will not have access to a printer over FWT.
  • Check with your supervisor to make sure s/he has received and replied to the confirmation email sent.

• December

  • Reconfirm arrangements with your employer regarding start date, etc.
  • Reconfirm housing arrangements.
  • Make sure you have received an email confirmation and a packet from the FWT and Career Development Office for your FWT.

• January–February

  • Review your professional objectives with your FWT supervisor/employer.
  • Set up your work schedule.
  • Fill out and sign your FWT timesheet on a weekly basis.
  • Review reflective essay guidelines and complete a final draft. (We suggest keeping a journal throughout FWT to help you with your essay later, but this is not required.)
  • Meet with your employer to review your work performance and collect your evaluation and timesheet.
  • Submit your reflective essay, evaluation, and timesheet by the first day of classes of spring term.

• March

  • Share your FWT stories with other students when you return, and find out what they learned.
  • Speak with your advisor about your FWT experience and begin thinking about next year’s FWT.