Apply to be a Writing Associate, 2008-2009

About the job:

One-on-one tutorials constitute the largest part of being a Writing Associate, and most of our associates spend 8-10 hours a week leading individual sessions for student writers. Our staff are also involved in projects that stretch beyond the Writing Center, and often even beyond the Storrs campus. For instance, this year we worked with the students at Griswold High School to create a dynamic writing center on their own campus. Next year we'll be starting a similar project at Windham High School. One Writing Associate put together a video project that takes a witty look at faculty perceptions of student writers; two other Associates are putting together the third edition of our creative 'Zine; still others have designed innovative presentations as part of a new initiative for working with Freshman English classes; and several are headed to Vermont this April to present papers about our work at the New England Writing Center Association.

Next year we will be launching a new Writing Fellows program that will place some of our Writing Associates in the classroom to work with faculty on writing in specific courses. (Please see the link for more information.)

Pay for Writing Associates is $10/hour; Writing Fellows will receive an additional stipend of $500/semester.

Who should apply?

Our current staff includes writers from political science, biology, pharmacy, international relations, economics, English, art history, and journalism. Take a quick look at our tutor profiles; many of our Writing Associates have double majors, and a diverse set of interests and experiences.

We're looking for strong writers who are passionate about writing, of course, but also curious about the ways writing is part of teaching, part of student life, part of the ways this university understands itself both within and outside the boundaries of any one campus.

Responsibilities for new staff members

1. First-year staff members are expected to take a one-credit practicum during the first fall semester of their appointment. Practicum meetings will run approximately one hour, and will take place every other week.
2. In addition, all our Writing Associates attend biweekly staff meetings, and occasional skill-building workshops.
3. Our full staff attends a two-day orientation before classes start in the fall semester. This year, the orientation will take place on August 22nd and 23rd.

Application Process:

To apply, please submit:

1. 1. Coversheet (available by clicking here)
2. 2. Letter of Application
• Your letter should explain why you want the position, outline any relevant experience, and provide an analysis of your strengths and weaknesses as a writer
3. 3. Resume or CV
4. 4. A 5-7 page academic writing sample, along with a brief paragraph explaining why you chose the sample.

Application materials should be delivered to CLAS 159 (open Mon-Thurs., 9am to 4pm; Fri. from 10am to 2pm)
or mailed to

Kathleen Tonry, English Dept. 
215 Glenbrook Road, Unit 4025
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT 06268

Timeline:

Applications due April 3rd, by 2pm

Selected interviews: April 8th - 11th

Notification on or before April 15th

Please address materials and any questions to:
Kathleen Tonry, Associate Director; Kathleen.Tonry@uconn.edu; phone: 486-9104).

More Questions?

Please come to our Information Session
Tuesday, March 25th, 4pm to 5pm
CUE 134