T.A. Talk with Jude Mubaslat
Get to know the junior marketing and business analytics major, who is a BUS 120 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.
Jude Mubaslat is a junior from Overland Park, Kansas studying marketing and business analytics. She is currently a T.A. for BUS 120 Emerging Topics in Business. Mubaslat knew she wanted to be a T.A. after she took the class and found that the topics were constantly changing and engaging. She wanted to see how the class would grow and change, and by being a T.A., she could be part of that change. Mubaslat chose KU because of the many great opportunities in the school, and it is the perfect distance from her home.
What were the steps or process you took to become a T.A.?
I took BUS 120 in the spring of my freshman year with Erin Whitehurst as my professor. During the fall of my sophomore year, I studied abroad and decided to reach out to Erin over email to ask if she was still interviewing for T.A.s for the following semester. I interviewed later that week and got the position for that spring semester.
Did you establish a connection with any faculty or people in the academic area to express your interest in becoming a T.A.?
I had previously had Erin Whitehurst as a professor and had discussed the idea of being a T.A. with her in the future. Throughout my time in her class, I would participate and show my engagement and interest in the class.
Do you feel you needed to have any prior teaching or mentoring experience to make you stand out as a candidate?
I had previously had experience mentoring in debate, but I think it’s more important to have experience with working in a team and problem-solving.
Were there specific skill or knowledge areas that you found particularly valuable in your role as a T.A.?
Having good communication skills, empathy and patience. Students reach out about a lot of different things, and it’s important to have patience and communication skills to go back and forth until you can resolve their concerns or issues. In a lot of cases, you’re going to be balancing communication with several students, grading assignments and completing your own course work. You need to have a good work-life balance and have the patience to complete it all. In a lot of cases, having empathy goes a long way when trying to find a solution
Can you offer any advice or tips for students interested in pursuing a T.A. position within the School of Business?
Reach out to your professor and start building a connection; it’s never to early to express interest. If you’re currently in a class you want to T.A. for, set up a time to talk with your professor and let them know that you would like the opportunity if it’s available.
Did you meet any specific qualifications or levels of experience that you feel helped you be selected as a T.A.?
There’s nothing specific I would pinpoint, my resume proved that I could balance work and schoolwork which is an essential part of the position.
What role did your academic background play in securing this opportunity for you?
I loved being a part of the class and would constantly engage in the in-class discussions. I found the material very interesting.
By Grace Ludes
