TA considerations...
August 5, 2012 10:10 PM Subscribe
I was asked to TA next semester. What do I need to consider before I accept the position? [In the US, if that matters.]
I am an undergrad at a prestigious university. I am non-traditional so I will be older than the students, though I usually dress young and am mistaken for 3-4 years younger than my age regularly. I am minoring in the subject I was asked to TA in, but have only taken the 100 level class I was asked to TA. I did very well in that class last semester and have good rapport with the instructor. It is a paid position and based on the hours he says he needs, comes out to well above the current part-time jobs I work (he is saying 6 hours weekly). What do I need to consider before accepting this? I believe he would be fun to TA under, as I really enjoyed his class last semester and have him again this semester. I have never taken a class with a TA, so I am worried that I wouldn't be good at it (though I have had teaching experience, I am not certified or anything). Also how could this help me in the future?
I am an undergrad at a prestigious university. I am non-traditional so I will be older than the students, though I usually dress young and am mistaken for 3-4 years younger than my age regularly. I am minoring in the subject I was asked to TA in, but have only taken the 100 level class I was asked to TA. I did very well in that class last semester and have good rapport with the instructor. It is a paid position and based on the hours he says he needs, comes out to well above the current part-time jobs I work (he is saying 6 hours weekly). What do I need to consider before accepting this? I believe he would be fun to TA under, as I really enjoyed his class last semester and have him again this semester. I have never taken a class with a TA, so I am worried that I wouldn't be good at it (though I have had teaching experience, I am not certified or anything). Also how could this help me in the future?
Do it. It is a good experience to TA. It will help you learn the material better to explain it to others, will provide you with an opportunity to see what TA'ing is like (to see if you want to do it in grad school) and will likely lead to other offers to TA.
As 26.2 notes, as a TA, you do a lot of administrative work.
And, as I recall from being an undergrad, the expectations of the TA from the students aren't very high.
posted by chiefthe at 10:54 PM on August 5, 2012
As 26.2 notes, as a TA, you do a lot of administrative work.
And, as I recall from being an undergrad, the expectations of the TA from the students aren't very high.
posted by chiefthe at 10:54 PM on August 5, 2012
If you're interested in going to grad school, working with the professor could help you get a great letter of recommendation (and those can go a long way).
posted by wintersweet at 11:16 PM on August 5, 2012
posted by wintersweet at 11:16 PM on August 5, 2012
The professor who asked you to do this (presumably) knows you and thinks you capable. Some large lecture classes at some universities have TAs who teach a recitation, which is basically review and extension of the material from the lecture in a much smaller group (typically ~20 students). It doesn't sound like this is that kind of class, so your role is more likely to fall on the administration/grading/tending to individual questions side of the scale.
Many senior professors can be ... unwarrantedly optimistic about what the experience of their student-employees is. (That's my polite way of saying that in all likelihood you are in for more than 6 hours of work a week -- possibly much more.) You should treat being a TA as taking an extra class, with all the time commitment that demands. It also would not hurt to have a conversation with this professor about what exactly the division of responsibilities will be -- it is not uncommon in my experience (as a graduate student who has been a TA and has many friends who also have) for there to be miscommunications about who is supposed to do what, and when.
Lastly, I don't think you should let your decision be influenced by the money. Decide whether to do it based on how you think you'll like the job, whether you see yourself in grad school/teaching in the future (not necessarily in this field), etc. The money is being offered to you so that you can pursue this opportunity without setting yourself back in other areas of your life, but the pay/work ratio is not likely (again, in my experience) to be ultimately to your satisfaction unless you have a non-financial motivation. (I am assuming based on your question that you will be paid a lump sum for this, not an hourly rate based on how much you actually work.)
I don't mean to scare you off -- based on what you've written, it sounds like you would enjoy the experience. But do it with both eyes open.
posted by dendrochronologizer at 11:28 PM on August 5, 2012
Many senior professors can be ... unwarrantedly optimistic about what the experience of their student-employees is. (That's my polite way of saying that in all likelihood you are in for more than 6 hours of work a week -- possibly much more.) You should treat being a TA as taking an extra class, with all the time commitment that demands. It also would not hurt to have a conversation with this professor about what exactly the division of responsibilities will be -- it is not uncommon in my experience (as a graduate student who has been a TA and has many friends who also have) for there to be miscommunications about who is supposed to do what, and when.
Lastly, I don't think you should let your decision be influenced by the money. Decide whether to do it based on how you think you'll like the job, whether you see yourself in grad school/teaching in the future (not necessarily in this field), etc. The money is being offered to you so that you can pursue this opportunity without setting yourself back in other areas of your life, but the pay/work ratio is not likely (again, in my experience) to be ultimately to your satisfaction unless you have a non-financial motivation. (I am assuming based on your question that you will be paid a lump sum for this, not an hourly rate based on how much you actually work.)
I don't mean to scare you off -- based on what you've written, it sounds like you would enjoy the experience. But do it with both eyes open.
posted by dendrochronologizer at 11:28 PM on August 5, 2012
Best answer: Also, how can it help you in the future: if you go on to graduate school, admissions committees will be glad to see teaching experience. How important this is depends on the field and particular school you apply to, but the class you TA for now doesn't have to match your intended grad school field. You can also count on this professor for a strong letter of recommendation, wherein he will praise your teaching skills. (He'll be evaluating you based on what he sees, not on what the students do, so as long as you do things on time and avoid any really noticeable snafus, he will think you've done a solid job.)
Outside of academia, I can't say what the effect will be.
posted by dendrochronologizer at 11:37 PM on August 5, 2012
Outside of academia, I can't say what the effect will be.
posted by dendrochronologizer at 11:37 PM on August 5, 2012
Best answer: I TAed for two semesters as an undergrad. Obviously, it varies by institution, but generally undergraduate TAs don't actually teach in the sense of giving a lecture or leading a lab. Typically, they will be on hand at lab (if applicable) to help the students with the work, may help the professor prep for lab (setting things up, fetching something the professor needs), are likely to grad lab work or homework, and are likely to hold a small amount of office hours for students. Understanding the concepts from the class and being able to explain them is basically all you need. FWIW, my first TA experience was for a class I hadn't even taken, and it went fine.
In my experience, it was fun and not difficult. As others have mentioned, more time spent with the professor mean that they get to know you, so they'll be able to provide a good reference. Getting to know the professor better can just be nice if they're cool, and may lead to other good opportunities. It is also a good experience to have on your resume. It shows that a professor thought well enough of you to ask you to TA, and if you apply later for a job that even vaguely involves teaching (including grad school), it's a little something.
Basically, at best it's a good experience and it helps you. Worst case scenario... you don't enjoy it that much and don't do it again. I can imagine it being negative if (a) if the professor were a horrible person who would be mean, unpleasant to work for, and/or expect too much (sounds like this is not at all the case), or (b) if you were so ridiculously crunched for time that it would make your life very stressful.
posted by mandanza at 1:16 AM on August 6, 2012
In my experience, it was fun and not difficult. As others have mentioned, more time spent with the professor mean that they get to know you, so they'll be able to provide a good reference. Getting to know the professor better can just be nice if they're cool, and may lead to other good opportunities. It is also a good experience to have on your resume. It shows that a professor thought well enough of you to ask you to TA, and if you apply later for a job that even vaguely involves teaching (including grad school), it's a little something.
Basically, at best it's a good experience and it helps you. Worst case scenario... you don't enjoy it that much and don't do it again. I can imagine it being negative if (a) if the professor were a horrible person who would be mean, unpleasant to work for, and/or expect too much (sounds like this is not at all the case), or (b) if you were so ridiculously crunched for time that it would make your life very stressful.
posted by mandanza at 1:16 AM on August 6, 2012
Best answer: It very much depends on the subject and the individual instructor.
When I TA'd (as a grad student) there was an undergraduate TA who was expected to be on hand for the recitations to handle question overload. He did not do any of the grading. As you may notice, this is in exactly contradiction to mandanza's experience. I had an undergraduate assistant once. Although it may have been a fluke, I am never putting my students' grades in the hands of an undergrad again.
As noted above, this does vary widely by institution and by professor. So as to what to expect, I think you should really sit down and have a chat with your professor. When he says 6 hours weekly, what does that entail - 3 hours of you sitting in on lecture and then 3 hours of lab? Or 3 hours lecture and 3 hours of grading? With the first, would there be grading he's not including in the "time"? With the second, what it you have to grade for more than 3 hours? These are all things you need to consider, but you need to get the details yourself.
However, unless you sit down with him and he asks you to do something terrible, I would say take it (unless your current job is actually in your field). It's experience explaining your minor field to someone else, which is useful.
As for being bad at it, seriously, don't worry. I had many TA's (the joys of majoring in multiple Sciences) and they were all terrible. Every. Single. One. Several were TAing out of their field and were nice but just plain ignorant of the subject. One would lead us through recitation contradicting every thing the professor had said that lecture (and commenting how the prof was an idiot) only to take it back the following week because his methods were incapable of solving the problems (but he'd still contradict the new topics!). Others just phoned it in, handing us the answers. One "lost" my homework grade nearly every week, requiring me to find the graded assignment and resubmit it. Like, nearly every week.
So honestly, if you have taken the class, understand the prof. is a professor because he actually knows what he's talking about, and want to be there, you are already waaaay ahead of the TA's I've endured.
posted by Lt. Bunny Wigglesworth at 1:47 AM on August 6, 2012 [2 favorites]
When I TA'd (as a grad student) there was an undergraduate TA who was expected to be on hand for the recitations to handle question overload. He did not do any of the grading. As you may notice, this is in exactly contradiction to mandanza's experience. I had an undergraduate assistant once. Although it may have been a fluke, I am never putting my students' grades in the hands of an undergrad again.
As noted above, this does vary widely by institution and by professor. So as to what to expect, I think you should really sit down and have a chat with your professor. When he says 6 hours weekly, what does that entail - 3 hours of you sitting in on lecture and then 3 hours of lab? Or 3 hours lecture and 3 hours of grading? With the first, would there be grading he's not including in the "time"? With the second, what it you have to grade for more than 3 hours? These are all things you need to consider, but you need to get the details yourself.
However, unless you sit down with him and he asks you to do something terrible, I would say take it (unless your current job is actually in your field). It's experience explaining your minor field to someone else, which is useful.
As for being bad at it, seriously, don't worry. I had many TA's (the joys of majoring in multiple Sciences) and they were all terrible. Every. Single. One. Several were TAing out of their field and were nice but just plain ignorant of the subject. One would lead us through recitation contradicting every thing the professor had said that lecture (and commenting how the prof was an idiot) only to take it back the following week because his methods were incapable of solving the problems (but he'd still contradict the new topics!). Others just phoned it in, handing us the answers. One "lost" my homework grade nearly every week, requiring me to find the graded assignment and resubmit it. Like, nearly every week.
So honestly, if you have taken the class, understand the prof. is a professor because he actually knows what he's talking about, and want to be there, you are already waaaay ahead of the TA's I've endured.
posted by Lt. Bunny Wigglesworth at 1:47 AM on August 6, 2012 [2 favorites]
in all likelihood you are in for more than 6 hours of work a week -- possibly much more
Yes - when I TA'd the position was under a "20hr/wk" contract. The actual time I worked on the class was probably not quite as much as that - I was only physically "on the job" for about 10 hours a week (between lecture, office, and recitation) but the grading ate up more time (and the homework was mostly formulas).
If you are responsible for grading, you can expect a parade of students whining about why you gave them a low score. It's not horrible, but it can be a bother. Grade consistently and stick to the rubric
Definitely talk to the professor about the grading rubric! I TA'd for a two-semester course. The first semester the main prof (in charge of the entire course) didn't really give me a rubric or anything. I made my own, but found out later things he thought were worth 2pts I'd only taken off 1, and vice versa (though I still maintain proper rounding is super important!). The next semester's professor would sit down and we'd go through about 5 papers together until we had a rubric down (it was the first I learned what "rubric" was) and it went much more smoothly.
posted by Lt. Bunny Wigglesworth at 2:02 AM on August 6, 2012
Yes - when I TA'd the position was under a "20hr/wk" contract. The actual time I worked on the class was probably not quite as much as that - I was only physically "on the job" for about 10 hours a week (between lecture, office, and recitation) but the grading ate up more time (and the homework was mostly formulas).
If you are responsible for grading, you can expect a parade of students whining about why you gave them a low score. It's not horrible, but it can be a bother. Grade consistently and stick to the rubric
Definitely talk to the professor about the grading rubric! I TA'd for a two-semester course. The first semester the main prof (in charge of the entire course) didn't really give me a rubric or anything. I made my own, but found out later things he thought were worth 2pts I'd only taken off 1, and vice versa (though I still maintain proper rounding is super important!). The next semester's professor would sit down and we'd go through about 5 papers together until we had a rubric down (it was the first I learned what "rubric" was) and it went much more smoothly.
posted by Lt. Bunny Wigglesworth at 2:02 AM on August 6, 2012
Best answer: When I first TAed my junior year of college, I went to TA orientation with the other new TAs and a couple of faculty members for a week before I actually started working. The professor I TAed for gave me detailed instructions on what I was supposed to do in recitation (give quizzes and answer homework question, occasionally an example he hadn't gotten to in class). I agree with everyone else that you wouldn't have been offered the chance to TA if you weren't capable of it.
I was very specifically paid for 9 hrs/week, which is about how much time it took. You might be required to help grade midterms and finals (all the TAs and professors met in a room and graded while eating pizza when I started out), and that can take longer, but usually your teaching duties are lighter that week.
You might be have office hours of some sort. You should talk to the professor you're TAing for to find out all the specifics.
In short, TAing is a pretty painless way to get some teaching experience, and a good way to earn beer money.
posted by Elementary Penguin at 3:05 AM on August 6, 2012
I was very specifically paid for 9 hrs/week, which is about how much time it took. You might be required to help grade midterms and finals (all the TAs and professors met in a room and graded while eating pizza when I started out), and that can take longer, but usually your teaching duties are lighter that week.
You might be have office hours of some sort. You should talk to the professor you're TAing for to find out all the specifics.
In short, TAing is a pretty painless way to get some teaching experience, and a good way to earn beer money.
posted by Elementary Penguin at 3:05 AM on August 6, 2012
in all likelihood you are in for more than 6 hours of work a week -- possibly much more
Yes.
I had one TA job where I had to provide scheduled office hours. Initially I only had to set aside four hours a week to meet with students and provide individualized help, but because I always had more students than time allotted and because good student evaluations are crucial for getting the next TA appointment, I found it very difficult to set boundaries. Those four hours very quickly became eight, and by final exam time I was spending close to twelve hours a week on what was only a 15hr/wk job.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 4:55 AM on August 6, 2012
Yes.
I had one TA job where I had to provide scheduled office hours. Initially I only had to set aside four hours a week to meet with students and provide individualized help, but because I always had more students than time allotted and because good student evaluations are crucial for getting the next TA appointment, I found it very difficult to set boundaries. Those four hours very quickly became eight, and by final exam time I was spending close to twelve hours a week on what was only a 15hr/wk job.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 4:55 AM on August 6, 2012
Best answer: Nthing everyone else that it's a great thing to experience, and great to have on the resume if you plan to pursue grad school, both for the experience and the connection you'll form with your professor.
But there's one thing to consider about your finances - any university-sponsored assistantship such as TA, will reduce your financial aid eligibility by the same amount it pays you (either via real cash or tuition reduction). So if you have been taking the maximum (or close to that) in grants and loans, you won't get as much while you TA. Obviously if you only take enough aid to cover tuition, that will still happen. But if you're taking extra to cover living expenses, keep that in mind.
That's the main benefit of working off-campus, is that those part-time jobs don't affect your aid. I suggest scheduling an appointment with a financial aid counselor (if this applies to you) to review your options before you accept. I've seen too many students take these types of on-campus positions only to be stressed beyond belief because they can't make rent at the end of the semester.
posted by trivia genius at 7:15 AM on August 6, 2012
But there's one thing to consider about your finances - any university-sponsored assistantship such as TA, will reduce your financial aid eligibility by the same amount it pays you (either via real cash or tuition reduction). So if you have been taking the maximum (or close to that) in grants and loans, you won't get as much while you TA. Obviously if you only take enough aid to cover tuition, that will still happen. But if you're taking extra to cover living expenses, keep that in mind.
That's the main benefit of working off-campus, is that those part-time jobs don't affect your aid. I suggest scheduling an appointment with a financial aid counselor (if this applies to you) to review your options before you accept. I've seen too many students take these types of on-campus positions only to be stressed beyond belief because they can't make rent at the end of the semester.
posted by trivia genius at 7:15 AM on August 6, 2012
I TAed as a graduate student in the subject area I did my undergrad minor in, so I understand your apprehension there. In my experience it worked out fine. They weren't expecting an expert in the field, but rather someone who understood the basics and could follow an answer key. I TAed four times for three different professors and I never had to actually teach.
At our school, the experiences of TAs varied from department to department (and professor to professor) so I can only comment on my own. Some of my friends in other departments were working waaaay over their required hours for the term. I was lucky - the profs I assisted were adamant that I only work my set amount of hours. I mainly corrected all of the objective content in tests and exams and proctored exams. I held office hours, which usually meant sitting in an office doing other things and not seeing a soul until there was a paper due or an exam looming. The students that came during those hours were either beanplating overachievers or faces I had never seen before in class (the latter usually saying something along the lines of "I, like, haven't been to class because of [insert non-valid excuse here]. Can you, like, tell me what's on the exam?)
A grading rubric is important and it's essential that you and the professor are on the same page with regards to grading. One professor I TAed for would split the exams 50/50. I would do section A and B on half and C and D on the other half and vice versa. She said it was so the students wouldn't know which one of us corrected what part of their test. Her explanation was that students were likelier to assume that their low grade was because of the TA's grading method and this way, they wouldn't know if they were questioning her grading or mine. She would tell our class that they were welcome to ask her to review a question they thought was graded unfairly but to be forewarned that she would review their entire exam and re-grade the whole thing accordingly. It was really nice to have her full support and kept her office free of students complaining that "The TA should've given me more marks on this section!" and saved me accusations of unfair grading.
posted by futureisunwritten at 7:56 AM on August 6, 2012
At our school, the experiences of TAs varied from department to department (and professor to professor) so I can only comment on my own. Some of my friends in other departments were working waaaay over their required hours for the term. I was lucky - the profs I assisted were adamant that I only work my set amount of hours. I mainly corrected all of the objective content in tests and exams and proctored exams. I held office hours, which usually meant sitting in an office doing other things and not seeing a soul until there was a paper due or an exam looming. The students that came during those hours were either beanplating overachievers or faces I had never seen before in class (the latter usually saying something along the lines of "I, like, haven't been to class because of [insert non-valid excuse here]. Can you, like, tell me what's on the exam?)
A grading rubric is important and it's essential that you and the professor are on the same page with regards to grading. One professor I TAed for would split the exams 50/50. I would do section A and B on half and C and D on the other half and vice versa. She said it was so the students wouldn't know which one of us corrected what part of their test. Her explanation was that students were likelier to assume that their low grade was because of the TA's grading method and this way, they wouldn't know if they were questioning her grading or mine. She would tell our class that they were welcome to ask her to review a question they thought was graded unfairly but to be forewarned that she would review their entire exam and re-grade the whole thing accordingly. It was really nice to have her full support and kept her office free of students complaining that "The TA should've given me more marks on this section!" and saved me accusations of unfair grading.
posted by futureisunwritten at 7:56 AM on August 6, 2012
Can you find any previous TAs for the class to question?
I didn't find myself to be a fabulous teacher but I think regular practice talking to groups is broadly applicable experience.
On grade complaints: I found it helpful to take notes on the complaint, take back the paper at least overnight, and consult someone else if necessary. Usually the answer should be "sorry, no", but that gives some cooling off time, gives you the chance to think without pressure, while making it clear you're taking the question seriously. Also: feel free to blame some higher authority.
posted by bfields at 8:41 AM on August 6, 2012
I didn't find myself to be a fabulous teacher but I think regular practice talking to groups is broadly applicable experience.
On grade complaints: I found it helpful to take notes on the complaint, take back the paper at least overnight, and consult someone else if necessary. Usually the answer should be "sorry, no", but that gives some cooling off time, gives you the chance to think without pressure, while making it clear you're taking the question seriously. Also: feel free to blame some higher authority.
posted by bfields at 8:41 AM on August 6, 2012
Interviewer: "Do you have any management experience?"
You: "Not per se, but let me tell you about what I learned as a TA. Blah blah evaluating other people's work, blah blah giving effective feedback, blah blah importance of clear instructions and expectations. I'm hoping this job will give me a chance to develop those skills further."
posted by nebulawindphone at 9:46 AM on August 6, 2012
You: "Not per se, but let me tell you about what I learned as a TA. Blah blah evaluating other people's work, blah blah giving effective feedback, blah blah importance of clear instructions and expectations. I'm hoping this job will give me a chance to develop those skills further."
posted by nebulawindphone at 9:46 AM on August 6, 2012
The experience varies so widely that you really need to ask the professor what your actual duties would be (grading, office hours [fixed or dependent on need, in person or virtual], attending a lab/recitation/lecture section, answering e-mails). As undergrads, my friends and I have had experiences ranging from only holding fixed office hours every week with no grading, to only grading with no student interaction, to doing everything all at once (grading, office hours which increase as the final project becomes a nightmare, and answering e-mails at all hours).
Being a TA can be good for setting boundaries, depending on what you do. I've been able to push back when students demanded that I stay past my fixed hours (only with an appointment, if you'd like to make an appointment then please e-mail me in advance) but it's true that these things generally take less time during the beginning of the semester and more towards the end.
posted by anaelith at 1:30 PM on August 6, 2012
Being a TA can be good for setting boundaries, depending on what you do. I've been able to push back when students demanded that I stay past my fixed hours (only with an appointment, if you'd like to make an appointment then please e-mail me in advance) but it's true that these things generally take less time during the beginning of the semester and more towards the end.
posted by anaelith at 1:30 PM on August 6, 2012
Response by poster: My tuition for the semester has already been paid, so I should get the money directly (I could see this being more of a concern in the spring semester where tuition is paid closer to the start of classes).
I have taken the position and hope it will work out well... it has also prompted me to consider majoring in this subject (and switching my major to my minor) as I believe there are more career opportunities and it is a subject I am passionate about. The TAship and my relationship with this professor could be extremely valuable in that regard.
posted by DoubleLune at 3:35 PM on August 6, 2012 [1 favorite]
I have taken the position and hope it will work out well... it has also prompted me to consider majoring in this subject (and switching my major to my minor) as I believe there are more career opportunities and it is a subject I am passionate about. The TAship and my relationship with this professor could be extremely valuable in that regard.
posted by DoubleLune at 3:35 PM on August 6, 2012 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
If you are responsible for grading, you can expect a parade of students whining about why you gave them a low score. It's not horrible, but it can be a bother. Grade consistently and stick to the rubric.
posted by 26.2 at 10:47 PM on August 5, 2012