Applying to be a Peer Tutor

Job Description

The Hixon Writing Center (HWC) is seeking candidates for the position of undergraduate peer writing tutor, and all current Caltech first-year and second-year students are invited to apply. This student job is an opportunity to help support the Caltech community and to advance your own knowledge and experience in the areas of writing, communication, and teaching.

Peer writing tutors offer one-to-one support to other student writers at all stages of the writing process. They also lead small group workshops for writers in selected humanities courses and organize occasional (once per quarter) writing-focused workshops and work sessions in the houses. Another important aspect of this position is serving as an ambassador for the HWC on campus, promoting our services and events as well as the idea that writing is a key intellectual practice for Caltech students.

Selected candidates will participate in a paid, weekly training seminar in spring term and will be expected to be a part of the HWC team through the 2025-26 academic year. Most tutors stay on beyond their first year, but a one-year commitment is our minimum expectation.

Job Requirements

• Attend weekly training sessions in spring quarter
• Hold tutoring shifts 1 - 2.5 hours per week throughout the academic year
• Lead small group workshops 2 - 3 times per term (85 minutes each)
• Organize informal writing-focused events in your house once per quarter
• Engage in ongoing professional development, including attending 2 staff meetings per month (1 hour each), writing periodic self-reflections, and participating in other projects during tutoring shifts
• Make announcements (in person, email, hang flyers) in your residence and on campus about HWC resources and events
• Collaborate with colleagues to make the HWC inclusive and accessible
• Be willing to help support occasional events sponsored by the HWC

Application Requirements

If you are interested in applying for this position, please complete the online application form no later than Monday, February 17, 2025, 11:59 p.m., which will prompt you for the following information:

• Name
• Anticipated year of graduation
• Option (if known)
• Languages you read and write fluently
• House affiliation(s)
• Whether or not you qualify for work-study (qualification for this program is not required to be hired)
• Statement of Interest: This should be a statement of 300-500 words that succinctly presents the reasons you are interested in this position and believe that you are a strong fit for it.
• Faculty reference(s): Name at least one faculty member who has agreed to serve as a reference for your aptitude for this position. This faculty member will not be asked to write a formal recommendation letter, but they should be willing to speak about your qualifications for the position if contacted. Be sure to ask your reference(s) if they are able and willing to serve you in this way before submitting your application.

Based on application materials, finalists will be selected for in-person interviews with Prof. Susanne Hall, the HWC director. Please respond promptly to emails if you are contacted to schedule an interview.