TransWikia.com

Best way to apply for position as a teaching assistant

Academia Asked by Flickboy on October 21, 2021

Soon, I’ll start my last year of undergraduate studies in physics.

At my university it is possible (but not too common for undergraduates) to be employed as a teaching assistant for a first year’s course. In order to get some work experience and do what I really enjoy, namely explaining physics-stuff to other students, I would be ecstatic if I got such a position. However, on the university website, there is no information given about how to apply, or whether they aleady have enough teaching assistants for the next semester.

Therefore, I plan to directly "apply" to the lecturer of the course I would enjoy getting involved in the most, and ask her if she would employ me as a teaching assistant. I’m planning to include the following things in the application e-mail I’m sending her:

  • A cv (created using LaTeX, to show I’m capable of using LaTeX)
  • My grades (that aren’t too bad, especially the ones of when I took this course myself)
  • A well-designed guide I created in LaTeX, which describes how she could use the video communication software Zoom’s "breakout rooms" as a system to host the otherwise in-person question time each week, in the likely case the university doesn’t allow attendance classes

Now, my question is about if the above listed attachments will be effective in making a good impression and persuading her to consider me for the position.

I’m especially unsure whether including this "guide for doing the question time in Zoom" is any good, as I might leave an impression of being overly controlling, or she might feel obliged to use this guide if he employs me, and, thus, won’t do it in the first place. On the other hand, including it would show her that I am highly motivated and have a lot of initiative.

I highly appreciate your answers and advice. Getting this position would mean a whole lot to me.

2 Answers

Nate's letter is good, but I would recommend attaching an unofficial copy of your transcript. Undergraduate TAs are usually selected based on their grades or on the faculty's personal knowledge of the TA.

Answered by Anonymous Physicist on October 21, 2021

I would omit all the materials in your initial email, and just ask the lecturer a simple concise question:

I would be interested in working as a teaching assistant for your course. Are there any openings, and if so, what is the procedure to apply?

If not, do you know who I would contact about working as a teaching assistant for another course?

There is no point in attaching your materials until you know that they are wanted and that you are sending them to the right person.

Answered by Nate Eldredge on October 21, 2021

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question

Get help from others!

© 2024 TransWikia.com. All rights reserved. Sites we Love: PCI Database, UKBizDB, Menu Kuliner, Sharing RPP