Field Experience Program FAQ for Incoming Students

If you were admitted to HGSE for the 2006-07 academic year and will be joining us in Cambridge this fall, you might have questions about the Field Experience Program. While the Frequently Asked Questions page provides a comprehensive list of questions and answers, below are some of the most popular questions that we tend to receive at this time of year (late Spring).

Is there anything I can be doing now if I think I might want to do an FEP in the fall?

Yes. You may want to begin thinking about the types of organizations or experiences in which you're interested. In addition to responding to postings in the FEP office, we also encourage students to contact sites on their own - particularly if they are looking for something specific that we don't have at that time. Julie is also happy to schedule a phone conversation or office appointment to meet with you and help you refine your search.

If I think I'd like to do an FEP during the Spring semester, should I be working on arranging it now?

No, that's not necessary. Deadlines for Spring FEPs won't be until the end of January/beginning of February, which gives you ample time to investigate sites and explore opportunities straight through the Fall.

I noticed that the information on your website, including the handouts on the "Resources" page, covers the current semester. When will you be updating the information for the Fall 2006 semester?

We expect to be updating the website in August, once we've completed the current academic year and have hired Teaching Fellows for AY 06-07. At that time, we will determine the interviewing dates and final deadlines for Fall FEPs and will post everything on the website as soon as possible. Please check back occasionally to look for these updates.

Can a student get paid, or use work-study funds, in an FEP internship?

Yes. Some students who take on internships get paid for their efforts. Some placement listings specifically indicate whether and how much the organization will pay HGSE students. We encourage you to inquire about getting paid when you speak to potential Field Supervisors. Work-Study funds can be used. NOTE: some work-study jobs would not be intellectually challenging enough to offer you a substantial learning opportunity. Please make sure that if work-study funds are used, you have planned a graduate-level learning project.

See the separate FEP handout, “Work-Study Information," (199KB pdf) for details on eligibility and arrangements.

If you think you might want to do an FEP in the Fall, it's a good idea to start thinking about sites before you arrive on campus in September. But there is no need to devote your entire summer to finding a placement. Rest assured that most sites don't post until mid-late summer and that you have plenty of time to find a placement that's a good match for you. In addition to the on-line database, there are supplemental resources here in the FEP office that you can access once you are in town, and you can also contact Julie with questions and for guidance. She can be reached via email at fep@gse.harvard.edu and via phone at 617.496.4816.