Amanda Spooner Eppers '92: Giving Back and Getting Involved
Amanda Spooner Eppers '92 is the director of alumni and special events at Brimmer and May School in Chestnut Hill, MA. She shared how her Bennington education and Field Work Term experiences inspired a love of working in an educational setting.
Tell us about your current career–where are you working, and in what position?
I am the Director of Alumni and Special Events at Brimmer and May School in Chestnut Hill, MA. I coordinate all events relating to our alumni including regional travel, Homecoming, Holiday Party, and Alumni Day, as well as many on campus events. My main event is our yearly Auction, which raises money for Financial Aid and Professional Development.
Does your current job relate to your Bennington education?
Hah, well, I studied Literature and Education, so while I am not a teacher, I do work at a school and still love to read.
How did your Field Work Term experiences connect to or inspire your current career path?
For my last two FWT's, I worked at an international school north of Rome in Italy. I found the job in the FWT office books, and the school was run by the parent of an alum. I adored taking the bus with the children, and I tutored the students in English and math and even coached volleyball. It was an incredible experience, and I loved the atmosphere and the international method of teaching. This FWT certainly helped shape my future in working for a school, and I am even the coach of the school's curling team, which I started 14 years ago.
What are some of your proudest professional achievements and/or current goals?
Working with alumni, I am also part of the development team; therefore, I am also a fundraiser. While it's not my favorite part of the job, I do very much like "friend raising" and speaking with alums about the importance of giving back. My proudest moment was when I got a single donation of $500,000 from a dear alumna.
Do you have any career advice to share with current Bennington students?
Try to focus on what jobs might interest you once you graduate. Don't wait until you graduate to research different avenues of interest. I was too frivolous with my time and never really thought about the future much. By all means, have a BLAST in college–just remember that your future is as important, if not more, than the present!