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 Assistant Program
Masters students who are either starting or continuing in the fall semester are encouraged to apply for one of our graduate assistant positions at the Writing Center. Positions run August 10 through May 9 each academic year. In return for a standard, in-state tuition waiver and a stipend paid biweekly, a Writing Center graduate assistant works 20 hours a week in the Center, with a focus on individual peer consulting, leading group workshops and events, and other duties designed to help develop professional skills needed in today’s workplace.
2024-25 Graduate Assistant Position at the Writing Center
The VCU Writing Center is looking for dedicated Masters students who are interested in supporting our mission of supporting graduate and undergraduate students in developing their writing 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 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 GA Program
The Writing Center Graduate Assistant program provides VCU Masters students the opportunity to work as peer writing consultants. The primary goal of this is to work one-on-one with students as they traverse the writing process, learning to become stronger academic writers with more confidence. In addition, GAs 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 to guide the daily operations of the Center.
- The Writing Center is an interdisciplinary space, offering support to students from all subject areas across the university.
- Students from any VCU Masters-level program (including MFA) are encouraged to apply.
- In exchange for working 20 hours a week in the Writing Center, this 9-month position offers a stipend of $19,845 (paid out biweekly over the work period, mid-August through mid-May), plus a standard, in-state tuition waiver for both the fall and spring semesters.
- Any cost differential between in- and out-of-state tuition, or between standard in-state tuition and any program-specific premium tuition, is the responsibility of the student.
- Please note that all fees, including university, special program or course, and overload, are not covered by this award, and are the responsibility of the student.
- Writing Center GA 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 Masters student at VCU for the 2025 academic year
- A one academic year commitment is required (August 10, 2024 through May 9, 2025)
- Taking at least 9 credits each semester of the assistantship (fall and spring)
- 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 peer tutoring experience is preferred
- Extensions for continuing as a GA beyond one year are not guaranteed, and are contingent on the discretion of the Writing Center leadership team, based on organizational needs, funding, performance, and/or any necessary additional factors
Applying
- Interested applicants should submit the following by May 10, 2024.
- Letter of intent detailing why you would be an ideal candidate for the role
- Resumé or CV
- Academic writing sample no longer than 10 pages
- Three letters of recommendation that speak to your ability to thrive in this role. Recommenders should send these directly to Brian McTague, Writing Center Director.
- Questions? Please email Brian McTague.
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.