T.A. Talk with Henry Storbeck
Get to know the accounting major the graduated accounting major in the Masters of Accounting program (MAcc), who is an ACCT 201 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.
Henry Storbeck from Omaha, Nebraska, completed his undergrad in 2023 and is now completing the Master of Accounting program (MAcc), which he will graduate from in May 2025. He is currently a T.A. for ACCT 201 Managerial Accounting. Storbeck grew up a basketball fan and always had KU on his radar. He was interested in the MAcc program, and that ultimately sealed the deal. Storbeck always loved school and has been impacted by many great teachers in his academic career. This led him to want to make a similar impact on future students, specifically in the accounting field. He had a great experience with his T.A. Josh Arpin, lecturer in the accounting academic area. These people and reasons all made him want to be a part of the ACCT 201 team and teach labs.
What were the steps or process you took to become a T.A.?
My first step was becoming a grader for the class with the intention of becoming a T.A. once I met the class requirements for it. During that time, I focused on developing my accounting knowledge in the course, so that I would be well prepared to teach the class. I also was able to learn a lot from the current T.A.s about what it looked like and how to do well at it. These steps greatly prepared me for my T.A. interview when the time came.
Did you establish a connection with any faculty or people in the academic area to express your interest in becoming a T.A.?
The main connections I made with people in the department for this position were integral to me getting my foot in the door by becoming a grader for the class. I had expressed my interest to my T.A. for the class at the time and would also ask about her experience with the major and getting internships. She then told me to express my interest to the main instructor of the class, Josh Arpin, so I met with him and was able to make a connection with him by meeting during his office hours. Then, when I was able to meet the qualifications of T.A., I had a strong relationship with Josh as well as the entire 201 team.
Do you feel you needed to have any prior teaching or mentoring experience to make you stand out as a candidate?
I did not have any prior teaching or mentoring experience, so I don’t think it is necessary to have this position. Although, I was a grader for the class and was able to establish myself that way, and I think the experience of being on the team and being very familiar with the material helped me stand out.
Were there specific skill or knowledge areas that you found particularly valuable in your role as a T.A.?
Public speaking is incredibly important as I teach two sections of 32 students, so it is imperative that I am able to speak with confidence and be comfortable in front of the class. Another skill that is important is patience because I need to be able to meet the students where they are in their learning and give them time or explain a concept in multiple different ways. A third skill that is valuable for my role is time management because I need to balance my schoolwork, my job as a T.A. and my life outside of school in a way that allows me to get everything done that I need to as well as finding time for hobbies and friends and family.
Can you offer any advice or tips for students interested in pursuing a T.A. position within the School of Business?
Take your classes seriously and try to understand the material at conceptual level, especially for the specific major that a student would want to be a T.A. for. This helped my own understanding and gave me the confidence to be able to teach the material. Another tip is to meet with the professor or instructor of the class and make other business school faculty connections. These are the people that will fill out recommendations and vouch for you. I think it is also important to get involved as early as possible by trying out different clubs or jobs within the business school. This also will help with making connections within the business school.
Did you meet any specific qualifications or levels of experience that you feel helped you be selected as a T.A.?
I had gotten good grades in the classes specific to this T.A. role, which was ACCT 201 and ACCT 325 Managerial Accounting II, which were qualifications for the position. My experience as a grader for the course helped show my team skills, work ethic, and positive attitude to the 201 team. This played a large role in my selection as a T.A.
What role did your academic background play in securing this opportunity for you?
My academic background of an accounting major was a big factor in securing this opportunity because the position can only be filled by accounting majors. Since it was my planned major all along, I knew that I wanted to take my accounting classes very seriously and put in strong effort to do well in them.
By Grace Ludes
