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Teaching Assistant Career Interview
Andrew McCoy has worked as a teaching assistant at Columbia College of Chicago for nearly a year, helping at television and studio classes. He plans on using this experience to direct and produce his own TV show in the future.
Teaching Assistant Career Path
“I was recommended for the position, actually,” says Andrew. “One of my teachers thought that I would do well at the job and told me to apply. From there I talked to more and more teachers and they ultimately asked me to TA for them.”
Teaching Assistant Experiences
While in high school, Andrew was already gaining experience in what he was interested in. He engineered and hosted a show on the radio, and he interned for a year at Chicago Public Schools.
“It was a great experience and really improved my interaction with people on a professional level,” he explains.
Andrew has spent time at a several schools, including the University of Dayton and College of DuPage, while on his education path.
He has attended Columbia College of Chicago for the past year, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in television. Andrew has worked as a TA for nearly a year.
“I learned how to deal with people of all ages,” he says. “Through teaching people how to operate the equipment in the TV studio, it sort of gives you more practice at using the equipment, so you become more knowledgeable.”
He adds, “It also gives me the opportunity to work with real world professionals that are in the business and occasionally can hook me up with real world work.”
Teaching Assistant Degree Programs
Since teaching assistant positions area stepping stone in one’s career path, there is no established education requirements for the position. However, you need the knowledge of the particular field in order to properly instruct students on the subject, whether that be taking the class previously or having prior experience.
Many TAs are also grad students, which gives these students real-world experience in teaching their subject. This is a great way for grad students to become assistant professors or adjunct faculty, and they can learn how to handle their own field of study in a more effective manner.
Teaching Assistant Job Description
Teaching assistants can work in just about any class, helping the faculty members to teach the students. The job of a TA is not to replace the information that the students learn in class but to supplement it by offering the experience and knowledge of a person further along in your same career path.
Andrew works as a TA for television classes.
“My job is basically to make sure everything runs smoothly for the teacher,” says Andrew. “In a TV studio, there is a large amount of technology, and I make sure that the students know how to use all of it by the time they finish the class.”
He adds, “Also, I make sure everyone is operating on task because in a TV studio, all of the students’ graded work is recorded to a tape, meaning there’s little room for error.”
Teaching Assistant Daily Routine
“I usually arrive 5-10 minutes before the class starts,” Andrew explains. “I grab the equipment that we are using for the day (e.g. XLR cables, microphones, lights). When the teacher is ready, I help the students set up their sets, meaning putting up 4×8 wood flats.”
He continues, “After setting up, I help and offer my input on how the class should light the set and the subjects they are recording. Then when everything is set up, I have to go up to the control rooms to make sure everything is on task. If anyone has questions about the equipment, I help them out and teach them what they should know.”
Andrew adds, “Then when class is over, I help the class clean up. And that’s my day.”
Teaching Assistant Steps to Success
In addition to the necessary knowledge and experience, teaching assistants need to think of themselves as where the buck stops for every problem in the class.
“You need tough skin and the ability to learn quickly from your mistakes,” Andrew advises. “You get blamed for anything that goes wrong as a TA, especially in a TV studio class. If you can learn from something that went wrong in a previous class, it’s only going to help you in the future so things can run smoother.”
Teaching Assistant Job Market
To find openings as a teaching assistant, it all depends on how determined you are about your field.
“You just have to make other people believe you’re as passionate about a subject as a teacher or professor,” Andrew explains. “Also you have to be experienced enough with the equipment that you can teach others how to use it.”
Teaching Assistant Favorite Aspect
“Mingling with all of the students and meeting new people,” says Andrew. “At Columbia College, there is an abundance of talented people that come through those doors.”
He adds, “Also getting experience with a television studio beyond what is taught in the class is fantastic.”
Teaching Assistant’s Future Ambitions
Andrew plans on using his knowledge of television to find a career in the field.
“I hope to produce/direct my own television show after I graduate,” he says. “Also, sports and live music productions interest me heavily.”
Advice for Prospective Teaching Assistants
“If you get an opportunity to TA for a class, definitely take it,” Andrew advises. “It’s a great experience, especially if you are passionate about the subject.”
He adds, “Word hard, find your niche, and don’t be afraid of anything.”
