The Writing Centre needs tutors. There are four types of opportunities for students:
Work/Study
Honorarium
Service Learning
Volunteerism
Work/Study Opportunity
The Writing Centre usually hires three work/study students each year (September to April) to help tutor other students. Work/Study is paid employment.
Eligibility for Work/Study
To be eligible for the Work/Study program, students must have an approved government loan, be a TRU student enrolled in a minimum of 60% (full time) course load and maintain a 2.00 GPA. The first step for students is to register for Work/Study by going to Student Services (opposite the Finance office on the first floor of the Old Main building).
Requirements for a Writing Centre application
To apply for the Work/Study position at the Writing Centre, applicants must be registered for Work/Study and have a GPA of at least 3.33 in their writing courses. Students will receive eight hours per week of work at $10 per hour. To apply, students must bring to the Writing Centre coordinator an eligibility form, a resumé, and some samples of essays and other documents they have written. (For duties, see the volunteer information below.)
If you have any questions, please contact Anne Baker, Writing Centre Coordinator, in person at OM 2674, by phone at 852-7673, or by email at abaker@tru.ca.
Honorarium Opportunity
For 4-5 hours per week, students may qualify to receive an honorarium at the end of each semester. For more information about this, please speak to Anne Baker, coordinator of the Writing Centre. She can be contacted in OM 2674, by phone at 250 852-7673, or by email at abaker@tru.ca.
Service Learning
Service learning courses provide third- and fourth-year students with faculty-supervised learning opportunities to develop expertise relevant to the student's discipline. A service learning opportunity at the Writing Centre enables students to satisfy the program requirements of their major and improve their leadership, communication and tutoring skills at the same time. If you're interested in service learning in the Writing Centre, speak to your professor and see if program requirements for your discipline could be fulfilled through the skills learned as a Writing Centre volunteer. If interested, your professor can contact the coordinator, Anne Baker, to discuss designing an appropriate three- or six-credit course.
Volunteer Opportunity
Why volunteer?
Volunteer experience, like work experience, can be shown on your résumé. Most employers desire team players with good communication skills, and these skills are developed through tutor training and interactions with students.
Requirements
Volunteers must have achieved at least a 3.33 GPA in their writing courses or be able to provide essay samples that demonstrate good composition skills. They also must be willing to put in a minimum of 1 hour per week at the Writing Centre. The days and times will vary depending on each person's schedule. Volunteers must also be willing to attend mandatory training sessions. These will be offered to accommodate timetables.
Volunteer Duties
- Be present for shifts and on time—people may be waiting.
- Perform administrative duties (fill out forms, file forms, answer the phone, keep handouts replenished, etc.).
- Take appointments on the ½ hour; don’t over-book.
- Look at what we have (know the handouts, the books); make recommendations.
- Use resources to help students with all aspects of writing.
- Teach students to become better at spotting problems themselves.
- Give handouts for various problems.
- Be honest if you cannot answer a question and find the answer for the student.
- Remember that we don’t edit students essays for them; we advise students about problems and teach how to solve them.
- Be available for the mandatory tutor training sessions.
How to Apply
- Call 250 852-7673 and make an appointment for an interview.
- At the appointed time, bring a résumé and samples of your essays to OM 2674.
- Be enthusiastic about helping your fellow students.
Volunteer Flyer 