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One of the lesser-known ways of earning financial assistance while in college, an assistantship is a paid academic position that requires a qualified graduate student to work as an assistant to a professor or department at their college or university. Typically, the professor or department they work for is associated with their area of study.
How Assistantships Work
A graduate assistant may be asked to perform tasks for a professor or other faculty member, a department, or their college or university. Some work as teaching assistants. They may be required to tackle rudimentary grading, lead study groups, provide assistance in a lab, aid in the preparation of a lecture or help teach a class. Depending on the university’s policies, they may even teach basic classes for undergraduates in their area of expertise.
Other graduate students find themselves working as research assistants, helping a professor with his or her research. They may be expected to participate directly in the research by collecting, recording and analyzing data, reviewing already published literature on the subject, or writing reports. Research assistants may also be required to complete more menial tasks like handling basic office work, organizing the office or lab, or even cleaning up in the office or lab. In return for their work, graduate assistants receive a salary or credit towards their tuition costs.
How Students Benefit from an Assistanship
Aside from the obvious financial benefits, working as a graduate assistant often presents opportunities for experiential learning, enriching the students’ own education and helping to prepare them for their academic responsibilities. Graduate assistants also have a chance to see how the academic world truly functions and to network and gain valuable contacts. In addition, assistantships can add polish to their resumes when they apply to other academic programs or begin seeking employment within their professional realm.
How Students Apply
According to U.S. News and World Report, students interested in working as graduate assistants must actively pursue the goal. Since each department generally selects its own graduate assistants, students who wish to be offered these positions need to reach out to their specific department. They may even wish to investigate which faculty members are willing to take on a graduate assistant and approach them to discuss the possibilities. Although students pursuing a master’s degree can find positions as graduate assistants, students working toward their doctoral degree have an advantage because they are presumed to be thinking about a career in academia.
Other Ways to Earn Money for Graduate School
Students looking for ways to finance their graduate school education have several other avenues worth exploring. Graduate school scholarships and fellowships are often awarded by the department or graduate school rather than the financial aid office. Private organizations also offer programs. Interested students should contact their department to learn more; applying early is vital.
Resource: How Can I Get Financial Aid for my Masters in Business Degree?
For working professionals, their employers are potential sources of financial assistance. Many companies offer educational benefits that pay all or part of expenses for a suitable degree program. Professionals should contact their company’s human resources department for details about both the benefits available to them and any strings attached to those benefits. Some employers award financing on a sliding scale based on an employee’s grades; others require that employees agree to remain with the company for a specific period of time after earning their degrees.
An assistantship offers both financial benefits that can make graduate school more affordable and educational benefits that can aid students in both their academic and professional careers.
