Who are the Consultants and What Do They Do?
Graduate writing consultants are experienced graduate student writers, hailing from a variety of disciplines across campus including the STEM fields. They work with advanced student writers from UVM’s graduate degree programs, online, in-person, and via email. A consultant can't write or correct a paper but can help students take a next step with a particular project and with perspectives and strategies that can apply to other writing situations. In addition to directly supporting student writers, graduate writing consultants participate in paid training and staff development.
How Are Consultants Compensated?
The pay rate for graduate writing consultants is $20 an hour. Additional benefits include eligibility for academic writing tutor certification from the College Reading and Learning Association, enhancement of your own writing skills, and experience in mentoring advanced academic writers within and beyond your academic discipline, including both native and nonnative English speakers. To learn more, read our Frequently Asked Questions below. If you have additional questions, please contact us.
How Do I Apply?
The application window for fall 2023 has closed. Please check back again during the latter part of the falls semester for spring hirint.
Frequently Asked Questions about Becoming a Graduate Writing Consultant
Who uses the Graduate Writing Center and why?
UVM graduate students seek peer guidance for a wide range of writing and communication projects (class assignments, conference presentations, thesis proposals, and more), and they can make an appointment with the Graduate Writing Center at any stage of the writing process (brainstorming and getting started, developing and revising, editing and polishing). Whatever the discipline, project, and stage of writing, the Graduate Writing Center offers all graduate student writers the benefit of talking through ideas and strategies with a knowledgeable and caring peer.
Will I meet with graduate students only in my academic discipline? How can consultants work effectively with writers working on unfamiliar topics?
Although you may meet with students from your program, you are more likely to meet with students who are working in disciplines and academic writing styles that are new to you. You will also meet with both graduate student writers who are native English speakers and graduate student writers for whom English is a second (or third or fourth) language. Our paid training and ongoing meetings prepare you for working with advanced writers, including multilingual writers, across disciplines and also give you the chance to learn from other consultants about writing in their disciplines.
What is the overall time commitment and compensation? Is this a one- or multi-semester appointment?
All new consultants participate in training, arranged with sensitivity to their schedules, beginning the first week of their starting semester, and also participate in three to four staff development meetings each semester. Except for breaks and holidays, the Graduate Writing Center is open from the second week of the semester through the last day of classes. Consultants are paid $20 an hour for all training, staff meeting, and consultation hours, for an average of 10 hours per week (more or fewer hours may be possible, depending on your student status, funding level, and availability). Graduate writing consultants commit to one semester and are eligible for renewal if they are working satisfactorily within the Graduate Writing Center’s guidelines and are in good standing with their programs. Training and consultation hours also count toward the College Reading and Learning Association’s Level I, II, and Master tutor certification.
How will my schedule be determined and where will consultations take place?
By the first week of the semester you will decide, in coordination with other consultants, what days and times you would like to be available for appointments. Most appointments, both in-person and online, are held in the Graduate Writing Center suite on the ground floor of Howe Library.
Can I serve as a graduate writing consultant if I already have an assistantship?
If you have a full-time assistantship (20-hours a week), your advisor or program director plus the Graduate College must approve this additional employment and your hours with the Graduate Writing Center cannot exceed 10 per week. If you have a part-time assistantship (10-hours a week), you can work up to 20-hours a week in additional campus jobs, such as with the Graduate Writing Center.
Can I serve as a graduate writing consultant if I am an international student on a visa?
Yes, you can serve as a graduate writing consultant if you are an international student, but you can only work a total of 20 hours per week across all of your UVM jobs. Therefore the number of hours you could work as a graduate writing consultant would be dependent on how many hours you've already committed elsewhere.