Work for us
The Writing Center hires graduate and undergraduate consultants from all disciplines.
To work for us, you must be interested in more than correcting and editing student papers. While strong writing skills are certainly required, strong people skills are equally important. Working one-on-one with writers requires commitment at multiple levels — intellectual, emotional and social. An invested and caring consultant is key to student success.
Graduate Consultant Program
Masters students who are either starting or continuing in the fall semester are encouraged to apply for one of our graduate writing consultant positions at the Writing Center. Positions run August 10 through May 9 each academic year. A Writing Center graduate consultant works 20 hours a week in the Center, with a focus on individual peer consulting, in addition to professional development opportunities such as leading staff and events, project management, and other duties designed to help develop the skills needed to thrive in today’s workplace.
Apply for a 2026-27 Graduate Consultant Position at the Writing Center
The VCU Writing Center is looking for dedicated Master’s level students who are interested in supporting our mission of supporting graduate and undergraduate writers in developing their skills and confidence.
About Us
The Writing Center is a peer-based academic success service for currently enrolled VCU students. Our primary focus is to help students become the strongest, most confident writers possible. As such, we do not edit or proofread papers, but rather take a holistic approach by discussing big picture issues such as the individual’s writing process, as well as essay structure and organization, and how students can best articulate their ideas. Our work with students is dialogue-based, as we strive to help them discover the benefits of having conversations about their writing before submitting it.
About Our Graduate Consultant Program
The Writing Center Graduate Writing Consultant program provides VCU Master’s level students the opportunity to serve as peer consultants, with the primary goal of working individually with students as they traverse their writing processes, learning to become stronger, more confident academic writers. In addition, grad consultants help lead group writing workshops and other events, complete projects designed to enhance Center presence and practice, and after their first semester, mentor new consultants and work as shift leaders to help guide the daily operations of the Center. There is also the possibility of additional work serving as a teaching assistant for one of the Writing Center courses, ENGL 367: Writing Process and Practice and UNIV 191: Writing with Confidence.
- The Writing Center is an interdisciplinary space, offering support to all students from all subject areas across the university
- Students from any VCU Master’s level program (including MFA) are encouraged to apply
- Grad consultants are expected to work 20 hours a week in the Writing Center, at the rate of $17.00/hour from August 10 through May 9
- Graduate consultants are offered the position for a baseline of 20 hours a week, but we are flexible with hours and schedule as needed
- Writing Center graduate positions are funded by the Writing Center, which is part of the Division of Strategic Enrollment and Student Success
Qualifications
- Status of current or newly admitted Master’s student at VCU for the 2026-27 academic year
- A one academic year commitment is preferred (August 10, 2026 through May 9, 2027)
- Taking at least 4.5 graduate credits in each of the fall and spring semesters
- Demonstrated keen interest in working with graduate and undergraduate students to develop writing skills and confidence
- Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrated strong time management, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- A minimum of one year of previous writing center and/or similar peer tutoring experience is preferred
Applying
- Interested applicants should submit their application form by June 1, 2026
- This will include:
- Your answers to several practical questions
- A letter of intent detailing why you would be an ideal candidate for the role
- Your resumé or CV
- Academic writing sample of no longer than 15 pages
- The contact information (name, email address, and phone number) for three academic or professional references who can speak to your ability to thrive in this role
- Please email any questions to Brian McTague, Writing Center Director: bjmctague@vcu.edu
Writing Process and Practice (ENGL 367)
Undergraduates interested in working at the Writing Center must first successfully complete Writing Process and Practice (ENGL 367). The course is offered during the fall and spring semesters. Students from any major are encouraged to take the class.
ENGL 367 explores writing theory and practice and prepares students to become consultants in the Writing Center. The course includes an internship, in which students observe and participate in Writing Center work.
For more information, email Brian McTague, Writing Center director.