College Teaching Assistant

Your Fit

Income

$54K

Preparation

Extensive

Growth

4.2%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a College Teaching Assistant?

A College Teaching Assistant (TA) is a graduate or upper-level undergraduate student who assists professors in teaching college courses. They support the instructional process by interacting with students, grading, and sometimes leading smaller discussion sessions or labs.

Sample job titles:

Graduate Assistant, Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA), Research Assistant (RA), Teaching Assistant (TA)

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with College Teaching Assistant.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a College Teaching Assistant earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is College Teaching Assistant.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$31K per year	$39K per year	$54K per year	$76K per year	$97K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $11K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a College Teaching Assistant do?

Work environment

College TAs typically work in university and college settings, including classrooms, laboratories, and office environments. They may have designated office hours for student consultation and spend time preparing materials and grading assignments.

Quick task list

Assists with classroom instruction, including leading discussion sessions.
Grades assignments, exams, and papers.
Provides feedback to students and conducts office hours.
Assists with course material preparation.
Collaborates with professors in educational activities and course planning.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Laboratory Instruction: Assisting in scientific or technical lab courses.
Tutorial Sessions: Leading tutorial or discussion groups in humanities or social sciences.
Research Assistance: Supporting research-focused courses or projects.
Administrative Tasks: Handling administrative responsibilities for a course, such as record keeping.
Online Course Assistance: Managing and facilitating online course components.

Description

College Teaching Assistants are vital to the educational process in higher education, playing a key role in enhancing the learning experience of students. They work closely with professors to provide a supportive learning environment, often taking on a more relatable and accessible role for students than the lead professors. TAs are involved in various aspects of course delivery, from planning and preparation to direct student engagement and grading.

For many graduate students, being a TA is an integral part of their academic journey, offering a valuable opportunity to develop teaching skills, deepen their knowledge in their field of study, and gain professional experience. It also provides a practical perspective on academic careers and can be a stepping stone to future opportunities in academia or related fields.

The role of a TA varies greatly depending on the department and type of course. In laboratory courses, they might focus on guiding experiments and ensuring safety protocols. In lecture-based courses, they may lead discussion sessions, help manage online learning platforms, or assist students needing additional support. Regardless of the specific duties, TAs are essential in bridging the gap between students and faculty.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Gaining valuable teaching and academic experience.
Contributing to the educational development of students.
Deepening knowledge in one's field of study.
Building professional relationships with faculty and peers.

You might make a good College Teaching Assistant if you are...

Passionate about your field of study and eager to share that knowledge.
Skilled in communication and able to explain concepts clearly.
Organized, responsible, and capable of managing your time effectively.
Interested in a career in academia or education.
Patient and empathetic, with a desire to help students learn and succeed.

Pros:

Opportunity to develop teaching and academic skills.
Can enhance understanding of your own field of study.
Often provides financial compensation or tuition remission.

Cons:

Can be time-consuming alongside one's own studies.
Sometimes involves managing large workloads, including grading and student queries.
Balancing TA responsibilities with personal academic goals can be challenging.

How to become a College Teaching Assistant

Typical education

Becoming a College Teaching Assistant usually requires enrollment in a graduate program or being an upper-level undergraduate student. For graduate TAs, this means having completed a bachelor's degree (4 years) and being in the process of earning a master's or Ph.D.

High school preparation

Courses:

Advanced courses in your field of interest to build a strong foundation.
Public speaking or communication courses to enhance presentation skills.
Time management and organizational skills courses.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Leadership roles in clubs or organizations.
Volunteering as a tutor or mentor.
Participation in academic or debate clubs.

Preparation after high school

Pursue a bachelor's degree in your chosen field of study.
Maintain a strong academic record for graduate school admission.
Engage in undergraduate research opportunities if available.
Develop relationships with faculty for potential TA opportunities in graduate school.

More resources

The Chronicle of Higher Education - Offers news and information for college and university faculty members and administrators.
Council of Graduate Schools - Provides resources and support for graduate education.
American Association of University Professors (AAUP) - Features information on academic career development and rights.
Graduate Teaching Assistantship Resources - Offers practical advice and resources for current and aspiring graduate teaching assistants.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.