Field Work Term
The world is your campus for seven weeks every year.
Each academic year, students participate in a seven-week, off-campus winter
term called Field Work Term (FWT). During each of their four FWTs*, students
take their interests to the world beyond Bennington, where they pursue jobs and
internships in areas that complement their studies—in fields ranging from
publishing to politics, from museums to teaching, from medical
research to social work.
By the end of their time at Bennington, students have acquired a body of work experiences, a significant set of references, a network of professional contacts, and most important, the confidence that they can make their way in the world. In effect, each Bennington student graduates with a résumé as well as a diploma.
The FWT and Career Development Office can help with every step of the job search process. In addition to hundreds of job listings, we offer a number of other resources to help you find or create a FWT job. Our office library includes books on internships in specific disciplines and job search skills, among other topics. We also offer our own guides on writing résumés and cover letters, and present several workshops throughout the term.
*Transfer students may graduate with fewer than four FWTs, as they are only required to complete a FWT for each year they attend Bennington
A few stories about recent Field Work Term internships
 | Claire Davis (biology) catalogues tropical plants at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Read more. |
 | Jessica Alatorre (international relations) works for justice at Human Rights Watch. Read more. |
 | Russell Melia (literature) takes on New York publishing. Read more. |
 | Ryan Smith (pre-med) delivers a baby at a hospital in Mexico. Read more. |
 | Owen Henry (psychology and dance) does sound design in Belgium. Read more. |
 | Political Players: Students use FWT to work on political campaigns and transform communities. Read more. |