A position on the RWIT staff entails many responsibilities and requires a certain set of qualifications. Because RWIT tutors and WAs work closely with other students and their writing, we look for strong writers who have a genuine interest in engaging with others over the development process. Good interpersonal skills are necessary to be an effective tutor or WA. In addition, candidates should be willing to make RWIT a priority among their extra-curricular activities. RWIT candidates do not need to have tutored in the past as they will go through a thorough training session in Fall term.
Below is a list of responsibilities that RWIT tutors assume.
An RWIT tutor works in hour-long sessions with individual students in the RWIT center for about five hours a week. Typically, a client brings in a paper that serves as the central point of discussion; however, tutor-client sessions may cover any part of the creation process. For example, a client may ask a tutor to help brainstorm, to discuss research methods, or to serve as a second pair of eyes for a Powerpoint or video presentation. Tutors engage their clients in conversation about the project at hand, help the client look at issues from local and global perspectives, and work to create a positive attitude towards the development process.
While the principles behind the work of the WA and the tutor are the same, the methodology is different. WAs work with a single class, usually a Writing 5 or First-Year Seminar, for an entire term; they comment on paper drafts and meet with the students to answer questions. In addition, WAs discuss tutoring methods and student progress with the professors of that class. Depending on the class, WAs may be asked to review multimedia projects in addition to papers. While tutors work a fixed number of hours per term, the work-load of a WA depends on class size and the demands of the professor. WAs can expect to work anywhere from 40 to 60 hours in a term.
Some RWIT staff take on additional responsibilities through the Foreign Language Collaboration, the Thesis Tutoring Program, or the Roadshow Team. Depending on department participation, staff members who are fluent in a foreign language may have the option of working with papers in that language. Thesis Tutors are selected by the Program Director and the Head Thesis Tutor and paired with a Senior Thesis writer for the duration of the thesis writing process. The Roadshow Team travels to classes at the request of the professor and delivers presentations on grammar and style, academic integrity, the research process, and other topics.
RWIT staff have certain professional duties outside of their roles as WAs and Tutors. Staff members attend Fall training in their first year of employment and then participate in some form of Ongoing Training (OGT) each term that they work for the Center. Staff should promote a good-spirited working environment and strive to represent the organization well. Staff must keep the Director aware of critical D-plan changes, submit time-sheets regularly, and protect the confidentiality of their clients.
