Field Work Term Spotlight: Raelyn Smith
Raelyn Smith '26 studies industrial-organizational psychology at Bennington, with coursework focusing on a combination of group psychology, social psychology, and political economy. During the summer, Smith completed a Field Work Term experience interning within the human resources department of the National STEM Honor Society.
At Bennington, students spend six weeks every year taking their skills and knowledge out of the classroom and applying them in the world of work. They use this annual work-learning opportunity—known as Field Work Term—to deepen their studies, challenge and test new ideas, and hone their direction for the future.
How did your FWT relate to (or diverge from!) your studies at Bennington?
Human resource management—assisting people establishing contentment in their work life—is my passion. Thus, being a part of the hiring process at NSTEM allowed me to get involved in the development of careers. I especially enjoyed reviewing applicant’s resumes and portfolios and contemplating which department would benefit most from their abilities, which was the bulk of my work. Assisting in connecting people with opportunities for professional expansion and invocation of their passions provided me with practical experience in my desired field.
I also had the opportunity to get involved with an AI study, where we began to analyze the relationship our interns and applicants have with artificial intelligence search engines.
What surprised or challenged you the most about your position?
As an interviewer for human resources, I was surprisingly challenged by some of the forms of questions that are not permitted for me to ask. For example, I would have to predict if the applicant consistently has time during the day for meeting availability. However, human resources is prohibited from inquiring about the types of organizations an applicant belongs to.
Additionally, my friendliness and curiosity drive me to want to talk about specific organizations, such as sports or clubs. But that line of questioning can be misconstrued as an attempt to draw out discriminatory information. It is important for my field that I understand the boundaries for professional interviewing questions, such as regarding organizations and availability.
What do you hope to do in the future—for your next FWT and beyond Bennington?
For my next Field Work Term, I am going to substitute teach and intern for a school psychologist. Fortunately, I have already lined it up and received my substitute teaching credential for New Jersey this summer.
After Bennington, I am going straight to graduate school for industrial-organizational psychology. Right now, my focus is within workplace sentiments and wellbeing, but that may evolve as time goes on.