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GA in Liberal Arts: Description
Graduate Assistantship in Liberal Arts
--General Overview--
This year three half-graduate assistantship positions serve the Conservatory’s undergraduate liberal arts faculty. Since those who have been awarded the position tend to retain it for the duration of their degree program, individual positions tends to be open on alternate years only. Coincidentally, all three of the Graduate Assistants (GA) holding these positions in the current year (2009 - 2010) are not expecting to graduate in May 2010. Hence, we do not anticipate any openings for 2010 - 2011. But situations can change unexpectedly and we do want to know of those who might be interested in one of our GA positions.
In past years our assistantship has been the most competitive on campus. Hence, our selection process is handled differently from other assistantships on campus. See our posting explaining the application process.
Successful candidates in past years have had considerable non-musical experience. Recent GAs include two former attorneys, students with advanced degrees in non-music fields, and a student who interrupted her medical studies to pursue a graduate degree at Peabody. We seek interesting and highly competent candidates
WHAT DOES THE LIBERAL ARTS GA DO?
The Graduate Assistants have worked primarily with all members of the Humanities Department. In first semester, much of this work involves help with the Humanities Seminar. Our GAs work with a range of projects, from the dreary and mundane to truly interesting projects that help with the design and implementation of our classes.
In the past the Liberal Arts GA has fulfilled a broad range of duties and responsibilities. For example, GAs in the past have
- worked with student writing in a variety of contexts (grading and commenting, as well as coaching individual students)
- designed support materials for international students and other students facing new academic challenges
- culled scholarly and other publications for various research projects
- helped to organize various data for a range of different projects
- served as examiner for student groups in oral-exam settings
- wrote letters and arranged appointments to facilitate departmental business
- taught sections of classes for different faculty members (sporadically through the year)
- (and of course, at times the GA must run errands, photocopy course materials and tend to other mundane but necessary work)
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION?
Much of the work done by our GAs mandates independent thinking and creative problem-solving skills. Candidates for the position must be highly organized and able to maintain several concurrent projects, each calling for attention to meticulous detail. Computer and internet facility is absolutely essential. Most of the ongoing work of the GA is conducted via e-mail and electronic exchange, so the GA should be one who by habit tends to check online now and again throughout a typical day. Ready access to high speed internet is essential; GA's with broadband at home have found that a good portion of their weekly work can be executed on a flexible schedule from off campus. Self-motivation and the ability to work independently are also essential, as are interpersonal skills. Applicants for the position must have a demonstrated history of academic success, have a high degree of competency as a writer, and be interested in working with younger students. Because liberal arts courses complement the Conservatory’s musical instruction, this GA must have interests that go beyond musical arts and must be enthusiastic about the opportunity to read and study the texts assigned in our undergraduate liberal arts courses.
As a recipient of a half assistantship, a GA must expect to work up to 7.5 hours of work per week, every week of the semester. Hence, the successful candidate must have sound time-management skills with the ability to meet deadlines and maintain commitments beyond the heavy demands of a student’s graduate program at Peabody.
