T.A. Talk with Sara Sukenic
Get to know the sophomore marketing major and entrepreneurship minor, who is a BUS 110 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.
Sara Sukenic is a sophomore from Plano, Texas, studying marketing with a minor in entrepreneurship. She is currently a T.A. for BUS 110 Introduction to Professionalism. When the time came for Sukenic to choose a college, she created a list of her top choices, and KU felt like the perfect choice. She is drawn to the small-town atmosphere of Lawrence that still offers many activities and knew she wanted to attend a well ranked school. Sukenic’s positive experience as a student in BUS 110 is what motivated her to become a T.A. She feels honored to help other students and loves learning about herself and how she can align herself and interests with future careers.
What were the steps or process you took to become a T.A.?
I was a student in Erin Whitehurst’s BUS 110 and 120 classes and thoroughly enjoyed both. At the very start of the second semester of my freshman year, I spoke with her about the possibility of me becoming a T.A. for her. I emailed her expressing my interest in becoming one, and she very kindly gave me the link to apply. I got a call for an interview around April. The interview process was a bit daunting as a freshman, but all the interviewers were incredibly kind and made me feel welcome. I had to answer the usual questions like, “why did I want to be a T.A.?” and “what are some examples from my past that I can use in the classroom?” Soon after I got an offer to join the team.
Did you establish a connection with any faculty or people in the academic area to express your interest in becoming a T.A.?
As I was a student in Erin’s classes, I was connected with her. Not only was she a great professor, but I would also call her a mentor.
Do you feel you needed to have any prior teaching or mentoring experience to make you stand out as a candidate?
I did not do anything special to stand out as a candidate. In my opinion, it is best to stand out in a class you want to T.A. for. I would make a point to raise my hand and speak in front of the class, it also helped that I thoroughly enjoyed what I was learning.
Were there specific skill or knowledge areas that you found particularly valuable in your role as a T.A.?
Communication. As a new T.A., I need to be comfortable asking my peers questions about how the system works and chatting with the students. Another important aspect is being approachable. As a naturally anxious person, I strive to make other anxious people feel calm and safe when talking to me.
Can you offer any advice or tips for students interested in pursuing a T.A. position within the School of Business?
Some advice I would give students who are interested in pursuing a T.A. position is to find a subject they are genuinely interested in. If you are not motivated about the topic, you are less likely to do well. It is also very smart to talk with the professor, ask if they are looking for help and about the next steps for applying.
Did you meet any specific qualifications or levels of experience that you feel helped you be selected as a T.A.?
As a graduate of the course I am a T.A. for, I feel like that helped me. Other than that, there did not seem to be any extra requirements. Something that most likely helped me secure the position was being an active student in class.
What role did your academic background play in securing this opportunity for you?
My academic background was different than many others, which offered me more opportunities to find my voice. I went to a project-based high school, which taught me how to communicate professionally and relate to my team members while setting professional boundaries, even if I worked with my friends. I feel like this is important because I do know many of the people in my class in a social setting, but they need to be treated like everyone else.
By Grace Ludes
