Tutor Recruitment 2019-2020
WRITING TUTOR JOB DESCRIPTION
What is a writing tutor?
Writing tutors work one-on-one with fellow students to help them learn the fundamentals of academic writing in a supportive, student-centred environment. Students come to Writing Services (Waterloo campus) to share their drafts and get constructive feedback from experienced, successful student writers. The key to tutoring academic writing is to help students become better writers, not to write or edit the paper for them.
Who is eligible?
- undergraduate students who are at the end of their first, second, or third year
- graduate students
Undergraduate and graduate students from any discipline (e.g., Science, Business) can be hired as a tutor at Laurier’s Writing Services (Waterloo campus).
All applicants must excel academically, be strong writers with a keen interest in language, and have a desire to assist others in becoming successful academic writers.
A writing tutor:
- Is friendly, outgoing, and a good communicator
- Is genuinely interested in academic work and in helping others learn
- Respects the values of academic work carried out by professors and students
- Is a discerning reader with superior critical thinking skills, capable of unbiased evaluation
- Has a high GPA (10-11) and a very good attendance record
- Writes A-level papers that show understanding of the nature of research
- Is responsible, punctual, hard working, and well organized
- May have fluency in Spanish, German, French, or another language
What are the hours and the rate of pay?
New undergraduate student tutors are paid $17.00 per hour to begin. New Masters-level graduate student tutors are paid $20.00 per hour, and PhD-level graduate students are paid $27.54 per hour. In their first term at Writing Services, tutors are not asked to work more than six hours per week, but once they get used to tutoring academic writing, they may work up to 10 hours per week. These hours will be distributed both during the day and in the evenings for 50-minute appointments, 25-minute appointments, and drop-in hours.
Are there any special requirements?
All new tutors must attend four to five days of initial training in the week before Orientation Week in August and be available for ongoing training sessions on Friday afternoons during the fall and winter terms. All training is paid.
What are the benefits of being a writing tutor?
The qualifications for this position are high, but the rewards are many. Writing tutors gain valuable experience and skills that benefit them in their academic careers and beyond. They enhance their awareness of all aspects of academic writing, improve their awareness of language, develop their oral and written communication skills, and learn to assist students who are having difficulty adjusting to the demands of academic writing. These experiences help student tutors continue their careers in academic or non-academic professions. Strong written and spoken communication skills are big selling points in any application and an asset anywhere in the working world.
How do students apply?
Students interested in applying to Writing Services for a tutoring job should submit the following application package by Wednesday, March 20th, 2019:
- A cover letter addressed to Dr. Jordana Garbati, Writing Consultant, Writing Services
- A résumé
- An unofficial (from Loris) or official transcript
- Two graded sample papers (e.g., essay, case report, lab report) with both the professor’s comments and the mark
- A recommendation from a professor who knows the applicant well. The recommendation can be made in person, over the phone, or in writing.
Your application can be emailed to Dr. Garbati at jgarbati@wlu.ca or submitted in person at Writing Services (P220, Peters, 2nd floor).
Thank you,
Jordana Garbati, PhD Writing Consultant, Writing Services |
James Southworth, PhD Writing Consultant, Writing Services |