Work-Integrated Learning

At Bennington, learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Every student completes a Field Work Term (FWT), a required internship, field experience, job, apprenticeship, or independent study every year either during the winter period (January - February) or summer period (June - July). During these times students are off campus all over the globe gaining real world experience.

This model, launched nearly 100 years ago, was the first of its kind in liberal arts education. Today, it remains central to what makes Bennington different.

The impact:

• Students graduate with 4 resume-ready experiences (although many do 6 or more)
• 97% of graduates are employed, in service programs, or in grad school one year after graduation
• Graduates land positions most frequently in New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Texas

What students gain:

• An ability to try things in their field helping them narrow in their post graduation plans
• Confidence to navigate an every changing job market
• Connections in their field of study to set them up for success

With lots of support from the Career Development and Field Work Term Office, advisors, and faculty, Field Work Term helps students discover what they want to do and gives them the tools, support, and confidence to do it.