Career Development, Field Work Term & Student Employment

The Career Development and Field Work Term Office assists students explore and define their personal career goals while developing the skills and confidence necessary to succeed. Field Work Term at Bennington College stands as a hallmark initiative designed to complement and enrich students’ classroom learning through immersive experiences. At the start of the fall term, students will receive introductory information about Field Work Term planning from the Career Development and Field Work Term Office. To learn more about Field Work Term, early planning, and to access a comprehensive directory of resources, visit the Career Development and Field Work Term Office’s LinkTree. Inquiries about Field Work Term can be directed to fwt@bennington.edu via e-mail.

Career Advising

The Career Development and Field Work Term team is available year-round to assist students with various aspects of their career goal setting and planning. Services include career exploration, application material review, Field Work Term and post-graduate job search planning, and interview coaching. Students can schedule an advising appointment through Handshake (Career Center > Appointments > Schedule a New Appointment). Inquiries about career advising can be directed to fwt@bennington.edu.

Drop-In Hours

Understanding that students have demanding schedules, the Career Development and Field Work Term Office offers regular drop-in hours during the academic term in Barn 112. During these 15–20-minute conversations, students can consult with a Student Career Advisor on topics such as resume and cover letter writing, Field Work Term planning, and student employment inquiries. The drop-in hours schedule may vary based on the availability of Student Career Assistants, so please look out for e-mail updates at the beginning of the fall and spring terms for the latest schedule.

Handshake

Handshake is Bennington College’s online career management and recruiting platform. Upon enrollment, every student receives an account linked to their bennington.edu email address. Through Handshake, students can search and apply for campus jobs, Field Work Term opportunities, internships, and post-graduate positions. Additionally, students can access a comprehensive Field Work Term resource library and schedule career advising appointments. Students are encouraged to build and maintain a complete profile, updating it at the start of each academic term to reflect new experiences, coursework, and evolving career goals. Handshake leverages machine learning to recommend experiences, programs, events, and employers that align with the details in their profiles and their search patterns. View the Career Development and Field Work Term Office’s Handshake Profile Checklist for an overview of optional information to feature on your profile. For assistance with Handshake account access or navigation inquiries, please contact the Career Development and Field Work Term Office via e-mail at fwt@bennington.edu.

Field Work Term Fellowships

Field Work Term fellowships are competitive experiences that provide funding, mentorship, and the chance to join a cohort of students working in a specific focus area. These fellowships are designed to empower students to drive social change through various perspectives, including environmental protection, food insecurity, population health, theater, public action, and entrepreneurship.

Field Work Term fellowships are available to returning students (3rd-term through 7th-term) from all disciplines who exhibit strong merit in their applications. Awards typically range from $1,000 to $3,000, cohort size, and available funds. Awardees must meet a minimum need threshold as assessed by the Financial Aid Office. Please note that students chosen as Field Work Term Fellows will not be eligible to receive a Field Work Term stipend.

Field Work Term Fellowship applications will be available on Handshake and emailed to students at the beginning of the fall term. The application deadline is Monday, October 7, with hiring decisions anticipated during the week of October 21.

Winter 2025 Field Work Term Fellowships:

Newman and Cox Public Action Student Fellowship
Iftekhar Entrepreneurial Fellowship
Creative Legacy Fellowship
Lucille Lortel Theatre Foundation Fellowship

For general inquiries regarding Field Work Term Fellowships, contact Dr. John Link via e-mail at johnlink@bennington.edu.

Student Employment

The Student Employment Program at Bennington College is designed to assist students meet educational expenses through meaningful employment. First-year students who have received Federal Work Study or a campus work allotment in their financial aid package and wish to work on campus will be assigned positions in Dining Services. Students without Federal Work Study or a work allotment can apply for available campus jobs through Handshake (Jobs > All Filters > On-Campus > Show Results), Bennington College’s online career management and recruiting platform.

During the fall and spring terms, students can work up to 20 hours per week and hold up to two wage positions and two stipend positions concurrently, though these limits depend on departmental needs and availability. For detailed information, refer to the Student Employment Handbook. For inquiries about student employment, please e-mail campusjobs@bennington.edu.

For questions about your work award status, please contact the Office of Financial Aid or review your aid award on My Financial Aid.