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Becoming a Tutor


 

The secret is out. Not only have students realized what a great service the Writing Center tutors offer, they have also realized how great it is to be a Writing Center tutor. We think it's the best job on campus, and if you ask the tutors, they'll probably agree.

 

Tutors gain training and experience that not only helps them tutor others' writing but that also helps them improve their own writing and communication skills. The teaching and interpersonal skills a tutor learns are valued by future employers and graduate schools alike.

 

If you are a professor who would like to nominate a student:

  • Send a letter of recommendation to Christopher Manley (cmanley1@nd.edu or 206 Coleman-Morse) in which you describe the student's potential to succeed as a tutor based on writing ability, intellectual curiosity, and interaction with peers.
  • While we will accept your letter at any time, we typically only hire mid-spring semester for tutors who will begin work the following fall.
  • We welcome undergraduates at any level.

 

If you are a student who would like to become a tutor:

  • You must first be nominated by a professor who can attest to your writing and interpersonal skills.
  • Once we receive a professor's nomination letter, we will keep your name on file and contact you during our next hiring session.
  • We typically offer two information sessions at the beginning of the spring semester and set an application deadline for shortly thereafter. We do not normally hire tutors to begin working the spring semester.

Writing Center Tutor Application Process

Students nominated by a professor will receive an email detailing the next steps in the hiring process.  Attached will be a Information Form that must be submitted with your other application materials.  All nominated students will submit:

1)  An Information Form that provides us basic data along with writing prompts to evaluate your preparedness for a tutoring position.

2) A prose writing sample that will give us an idea of your academic writing ability. The best samples are generally ones that present an argument of some kind rather than a summary.  The sample should be 2-5 pages in length.  You can send the introduction of a course paper, for example, instead of the entire paper.

 

Our Process:

  • From the applications we receive, we will only be able to select a small pool of applicants to interview with a panel of Writing Center tutors and administrators. Face-to-face interviews are an essential part of our process.  If you are studying abroad, you should make arrangments to have an interveiw before you leave or when you return for a break.  We will be flexible about the interview date for students in this position, but we still do require a face-to-face interview.
  • Based on nomination letters, the application package, and the interviews, we will make offers for students to join the staff the following fall.

Timeline:

  • February 15 - Tutor Nominations Due from Professors
  • Writing Center Information Sessions

Wednesday, February 20 at 4:30 p.m
Monday, February 25 at 4:30 p.m

  • March 14 - WC Applications Due
  • April 7-18 - Interviews
  • April 21-25 - New Tutors notified of acceptance

         Students who accept the position should be prepared to:

    • Participate in a 1 credit hour course in tutor training, "Writing Center Theory and Practice," which requires research and writing on tutoring and composition.  This course is on an irregular schedule of nights and some days during the fall semester.  Students cannot begin work without satisfactorily completing this course.  If you are studying abroad in fall, you will have to wait to apply at a time when you can take the fall course. We will accept students who take the course in the fall but are studying abroad that spring.
    • Participate in ongoing full staff training, typically four meetings per semester.
    • Work roughly 4-6 hours per week in 1-3 hour blocks.
    • Demonstrate engagement and growth in the position in order to maintain employment.
     

Please send application materials to tobryan@nd.edu by spring deadline.

 

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