T.A. Talk with Emily Schwindt
Get to know the senior supply chain management major, who is a SCM 310 T.A.
They lead some of our classes, teach our labs and grade our exams. Teaching assistants, or T.A.s, are undergraduate students who help faculty with course instruction and student learning. While each course may have different requirements, T.A.s apply and interview for open positions much like ones for internships and jobs, with the course instructor to see if they would be a good fit.
Emily Schwindt is a senior from Olathe, Kansas, majoring in supply chain management with a minor in business analytics. She is currently a T.A. for SCM 310 Supply Chain Management. Schwindt felt motivated to become a T.A. after taking SCM 310 with Joe Walden, associate teaching professor. She wanted to continue their relationship and help introduce other students to the supply chain field. Schwindt’s parents and older sister attended KU so she was familiar with the Lawrence area, influencing her decision to attend. The academic reputation and post-grad opportunities also drew her in.
What were the steps or process you took to become a T.A.?
I attended Joe Walden’s study abroad program in Panama, and he told me about the opportunity. I talked to one of the current T.A.s about the commitment and expected workload and decided it was a perfect opportunity for me.
Did you establish a connection with any faculty or people in the academic area to express your interest in becoming a T.A.?
Yes, I established a connection with Joe Walden during the study abroad trip. Several members of the trip group eventually became T.A.s for Joe or already were.
Do you feel you needed to have any prior teaching or mentoring experience to make you stand out as a candidate?
Because SCM 310 doesn’t have a lab or discussion portion that requires a T.A. to facilitate, teaching experience isn’t necessary. This class’s T.A.s mainly just support Joe Walden with grading and class admin tasks rather than mentoring or teaching. We do hold office hours and assist some students with their homework, and I feel my prior experience as a writing coach did help with this job in some ways, but I don’t feel it was needed.
Were there specific skill or knowledge areas that you found particularly valuable in your role as a T.A.?
I have good time management skills that help me with staying on top of the grading workload. I also had peer mentoring experience from working as a writing coach the year prior that is helpful when students need help on their assignments and exam prep.
Can you offer any advice or tips for students interested in pursuing a T.A. position within the School of Business?
I would recommend establishing a relationship with the professor you would like to T.A. for and expressing your interest to them. I’d also recommend talking to current T.A.s and asking them about what the time commitment is like to make sure the position is right for you and your schedule.
Did you meet any specific qualifications or levels of experience that you feel helped you be selected as a T.A.?
No, there were no experience requirements or qualifications for this job. All it took was establishing the relationship with Professor Joe and proving that I’m a trustworthy, reliable student by excelling in the class.
What role did your academic background play in securing this opportunity for you?
I’m majoring in supply chain management, which is why I decided to travel to Panama on the supply chain trip. On the trip we explored the Panama Canal and several massive distribution centers and learned about the operations from industry professionals. Excelling in SCM 310 and attending the trip led to me securing the T.A. position.
By Grace Ludes
