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Opportunities for Purdue Graduate Students in English 2013

We are accepting applications from graduate students in the English Department for tutoring positions for the 2013-2014 academic year. If you are a student in the English Department eligible for a tutoring position, please review the FAQs below and submit a completed application form by 6:00 pm Wednesday, February 6, 2013.

For more information about graduate tutor positions, contact Tammy Conard-Salvo, Writing Lab Associate Director. 

We are interested in reflecting the diversity of the Purdue community.  Students from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for positions in the Writing Lab.

FAQs: Graduate Tutor Positions

What is the Writing Lab?

The Writing Lab offers one-to-one consultations to any student at Purdue on any project, in any stage of the writing process.  Consultants assist graduate and undergraduate students from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds. The Writing Lab also offers ESL conversation groups, workshops, computers for general use, faculty support, and online support materials through the Online Writing Lab (OWL). You can read the Writing Lab's mission statement at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/writinglab/mission.

What are the benefits of working in the Writing Lab?

Graduate consultants often find that tutoring in the Writing Lab can serve as an extension of their teaching, creating new pedagogical opportunities through one-to-one interaction.  However, tutoring in the Writing Lab is different from teaching and even from conferencing with students in English 106.  Tutoring does not involve evaluating or grading students' writing as an instructor might.  Instead, consultants, through a number of techniques, provide feedback on students' writing and answer questions that students have about writing, encouraging students to become active learners in the process.

The Writing Lab, through its tutoring and administrative positions, can foster professional development for graduate students and provide access to cutting-edge pedagogical experiences and even IRB-approved research projects.  Graduate consultants may serve in administrative positions devoted to ESL services, workshops and Writing Across the Curriculum, business writing, and technology.  These administrative, research, and pedagogical opportunities have helped many graduate students grow professionally and be competitive in the job market.

Who may apply?

Graduate students in the English Department at Purdue may apply if they 1) have taught for at least one year in the ICaP program or are in their first year of teaching in ICaP when they apply; 2) have been mentored in the ICaP program; 3) and plan to work in the Writing Lab for at least one year. We have Writing Lab consultants from all fields of English Studies—literature, theory, rhetoric and composition, ESL and creative writing—and we accept applications from both M.A. and Ph.D. students.  We are interested in reflecting the diversity of the Purdue community; therefore, students from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for positions in the Writing Lab.

What is tutoring like?

Most tutoring occurs in one-to-one sessions, the goal of which is to help students become better writers, not merely to improve individual texts. Writing Lab consultants do not proofread; sessions typically focus on larger, rhetorical issues related to writing, although sentence-level issues are addressed. We talk to students about their writing and help them figure out how to say what they want to say. Writing Lab consultants help students work on all kinds of writing, including assignments from first year composition, upper division papers from across the disciplines, resumes and job letters, technical writing, and graduate theses. Tutors work with graduate and undergraduate students, novice and expert writers, and writers from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

How much do Graduate Consultants work?

Writing Lab consultant positions are usually quarter-time positions. Normally, consultants spend 9 hours a week tutoring in the Lab. The rest of the time is used for staff meetings and other work. Tutoring has a different rhythm than classroom teaching, but most consultants will tell you that it requires about the same amount of effort as classroom teaching.

Writing Lab consultants also facilitate workshops, conduct conversation groups for English as a Second Language students, and answer questions submitted to the OWL Mail service.  These activities are included in the graduate tutor position, and hours are arranged accordingly.  Graduate consultants may also serve in administrative posiitons such as Business Writing Coordinator, English as a Second Language Coordinator, OWL Mail Coordinator, and Workshop Coordinator.

How much specialized knowledge do I need to be a tutor, and is there mentoring available?

We look for consultants with different kinds of knowledge and experience, and you will gain the rest of what you need to know on the job, through mentoring, regular staff meetings, and interacting with other Writing Lab staff.  All graduate consultants take English 50200, a Writing Lab practicum course, throughout their first semester of tutoring, and they are observed and mentored as they go along.  All consultants must attend mandatory biweekly staff meetings, which provide additional mentoring opportunities through workshops and discussion.

How are tutoring hours scheduled?

Schedules for tutoring are built around consultants’ teaching and class schedules, and schedules shift each semester as necessary. Most tutors end up with schedules that are close to what they have requested.  All consultants are required to attend biweekly meetings scheduled on Tuesday mornings from 9:00-10:00 am.

How long can graduate instructors work in the Purdue Writing Lab?

Tutors can work in the Lab as long as they have funding for an English department assistantship and as long as they are consultants in good standing.

What professional development opportunities are available for Writing Lab Instructors?

In addition to tutoring, Writing Lab consultants participate in a variety of professional development activities, from presenting at conferences and research to developing new materials for the OWL. Consultants may also take on administrative responsibilities by serving as coordinators for various Writing Lab services. Furthermore, they develop and facilitate workshops, lead conversation groups, and respond to OWL Mail.

How do I apply?

Select the Writing Lab on your Teaching Assignments sheets from Judy Ware (sheets received in the spring semester for fall teaching). There's a place for "Writing Lab Tutors" under "Non-classroom Assignments." You must then submit a Writing Lab Graduate Tutor Application Form. This PDF application form has interactive form fields, so you can type your responses to the questions using Adobe Acrobat.  Please submit your application to the Writing Lab by 6:00 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2012.

Once your application is submitted, you will receive two sample essays, and you will be contacted by two current Writing Lab consultants for an interview.

How are tutors selected?

Once prospective tutors submit their application forms, they will be interviewed by two current Writing Lab consultants. Candidates will answer a series of questions about their interest in tutoring and about two sample student essays. After the interviews, the entire Writing Lab staff decides who to hire.

How can I get more information about the Writing Lab?

Please contact Tammy Conard-Salvo, Associate Writing Lab Director, with any questions about graduate tutor positions or the application process.  You are also welcome to drop by the Writing Lab to observe consultations and to see the space.