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What does a Graduate Teaching Assistant do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
Quoted Expert
Rebecca Sarver

A Graduate Teaching Assistant may work in Learning Facilities by teaching short courses under supervision or assist the Faculty Staff in various aspects such as research. They can also lend a hand in preparing and creating learning materials such as presentations, handouts, and other teaching-related tasks. Furthermore, among the duties of a Graduate Teaching Assistant may include handling written reports, preparing or cleaning laboratories and facilities, grading and evaluating students' papers, and preparing examinations or other quiz material.

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Graduate teaching assistant responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real graduate teaching assistant resumes:

  • Accomplish assessment of PU foam samples base on morphology by SEM and optical microscope.
  • Assist classmates with developing positive study habits and strategies for managing classroom material.
  • Tutor calculus, algebra, probability, financial mathematics and others as requested.
  • Learned advance PCR techniques and troubleshooting.
  • Analyze yield of Suzuki reaction using HPLC.
  • Develop method for analysis of steroids in herbal medicines using HPLC.
  • Establish and improve fill-in PCR reaction to join two PCR products with linker.
  • Characterize pattern quality and feature sizes using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
  • Record and analyze test results using a fluorimeter, UV-vis spectrometer, and other equipment.
  • Train new graduate students and post-docs in the operation of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) instrumentation.
  • Study protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions through NMR and crystallography.
  • Perform metal-mediated organic synthesis under air and moisture free conditions.
  • Develop mathematics, literacy, and thematic curriculum base on student needs and interests.
  • Streamline undergraduate laboratory syllabus to focus on documentation over technique, with professor approval.
  • Characterize and quantify proteins conjugate to magnetic beads using fluorescence microscopy/spectroscopy, and UV-VIS spectroscopy.

Graduate teaching assistant skills and personality traits

We calculated that 22% of Graduate Teaching Assistants are proficient in Lab Experiments, Laboratory Sections, and Undergraduate Courses.

We break down the percentage of Graduate Teaching Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Lab Experiments, 22%

    Maintain lab equipment and assist with/conduct lab experiments for Materials processing for Industrial Engineering and Mechanical Engineering students

  • Laboratory Sections, 8%

    Maintained regular communication with course instructor and Lab Manager to ensure continuity among laboratory sections.

  • Undergraduate Courses, 8%

    Graduate Teaching Assistant/Student Leader I taught laboratory information for Anatomy, Zoology and Immunology undergraduate courses within the Biology department.

  • Organic Chemistry, 6%

    Received excellent TA evaluations.2) Taught weekly recitations for Organic Chemistry.3) Performed effective one-to-one tutoring during office hours.

  • Mathematics, 3%

    Graded undergrad students paper in mathematics Tutoring class for elementary students Organized and monitored classroom discussion boards Assisted Professor in conducting classes

  • Course Materials, 3%

    Created original testing materials and a wide variety of context-based course materials for introductory French courses at Illinois State University.

Most graduate teaching assistants use their skills in "lab experiments," "laboratory sections," and "undergraduate courses" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential graduate teaching assistant responsibilities here:

Most common graduate teaching assistant skills

The three companies that hire the most graduate teaching assistants are:

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Compare different graduate teaching assistants

Graduate teaching assistant vs. Adjunct lecturer

An Adjunct Lecturer is responsible for teaching college classes. They prepare course guides, teach content that matches courses standards, and assist students with inquiries outside of class.

We looked at the average graduate teaching assistant salary and compared it with the wages of an adjunct lecturer. Generally speaking, adjunct lecturers are paid $34,663 higher than graduate teaching assistants per year.Even though graduate teaching assistants and adjunct lecturers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require undergraduate courses, organic chemistry, and mathematics in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a graduate teaching assistant are more likely to require skills like "lab experiments," "laboratory sections," "lab reports," and "r." On the other hand, a job as an adjunct lecturer requires skills like "excellent interpersonal," "rehabilitation," "course syllabus," and "course curriculum." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Adjunct lecturers tend to make the most money working in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $95,827. In contrast, graduate teaching assistants make the biggest average salary, $43,584, in the education industry.adjunct lecturers tend to reach higher levels of education than graduate teaching assistants. In fact, adjunct lecturers are 14.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 6.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Graduate teaching assistant vs. Lecturer

A lecturer, also known as a university lecturer, is a teaching professional who teaches students in colleges and educational establishments. Lecturers provide support to students in their research activities by assessing their work and through a pastoral and advisory role. Aside from teaching students, lecturers may carry out administrative tasks such as student enrolment, induction programmers, and involvement in committees and boards. They may also contribute to professional seminars and seminars about their expertise and participate in the training activities of staff members.

Lecturer positions earn higher pay than graduate teaching assistant roles. They earn a $16,994 higher salary than graduate teaching assistants per year.A few skills overlap for graduate teaching assistants and lecturers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "undergraduate courses," "organic chemistry," and "mathematics. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that graduate teaching assistant responsibilities requires skills like "lab experiments," "laboratory sections," "lab reports," and "r." But a lecturer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "semester," "philosophy," "graduate courses," and "curriculum development."

Lecturers may earn a higher salary than graduate teaching assistants, but lecturers earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $60,593. On the other hand, graduate teaching assistants receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $43,584.In general, lecturers achieve higher levels of education than graduate teaching assistants. They're 10.5% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 6.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Graduate Teaching Assistants in the next 3-5 years?

Rebecca SarverRebecca Sarver LinkedIn Profile

Lecturer in Human Services Studies, Elmira College

The use of remote and virtual meetings will continue even after COVID-19. Face to face meetings may still be the preferred method of contact, but the reality is that many clients who need to access services do not have reliable and consistent transportation to get to the services. Phones and computers enable more convenient meetings that are less costly in terms of time and travel. Some clients may prefer not to leave their homes.

Graduate teaching assistant vs. Peer tutor

A peer tutor is responsible for providing educational assistance to students, developing comprehensive learning strategies to address their studying challenges, and assisting them in schoolwork papers. Peer tutors arrange convenient tutoring schedules, recording their progress, and evaluating their skills with strict adherence to the course content and learning curriculum. They also observe the students' learning approach and behaviors to identify areas of improvement, as well as to increase their focus and engagement. A peer tutor must have excellent knowledge of the specific subject matter to administer the best learning experience.

On average scale, peer tutors bring in lower salaries than graduate teaching assistants. In fact, they earn a $18,521 lower salary per year.graduate teaching assistants and peer tutors both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "organic chemistry," "course materials," and "physiology," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a graduate teaching assistant is likely to be skilled in "lab experiments," "laboratory sections," "undergraduate courses," and "mathematics," while a typical peer tutor is skilled in "math," "gpa," "academic support," and "study."

Peer tutors earn the best pay in the education industry, where they command an average salary of $27,840. Graduate teaching assistants earn the highest pay from the education industry, with an average salary of $43,584.peer tutors typically earn lower educational levels compared to graduate teaching assistants. Specifically, they're 17.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Graduate teaching assistant vs. College instructor

A certified veterinary technician is in charge of performing laboratory tests, participating in medical procedures, and performing clerical support tasks at veterinary clinics, zoos, and private laboratories. Their responsibilities often include collecting information from pet owners, studying patients' medical histories, gathering and analyzing samples from patients through various laboratory procedures, operating equipment and machines, and monitoring patients' conditions. Moreover, under the supervision of a veterinarian, they may also provide first-aid to animals and administer medication.

College instructors average a higher salary than the annual salary of graduate teaching assistants. The difference is about $5,590 per year.While both graduate teaching assistants and college instructors complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like undergraduate courses, mathematics, and course materials, the two careers vary in some skills.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "lab experiments," "laboratory sections," "organic chemistry," and "lab reports" are skills that commonly show up on graduate teaching assistant resumes. On the other hand, college instructors use skills like classroom management, social work, course curriculum, and student learning on their resumes.college instructors enjoy the best pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $50,236. For comparison, graduate teaching assistants earn the highest salary in the education industry.college instructors reach higher levels of education compared to graduate teaching assistants, in general. The difference is that they're 5.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of graduate teaching assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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