Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Graduate Teaching Assistant
What graduate teaching assistants actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a graduate teaching assistant?
Lead a chemistry lab. From there, the day usually includes lead discussion sections, run labs, and grade assignments. Part-time, usually about 20 hours a week, alongside graduate study.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a graduate teaching assistant working full time.
- Lead a chemistry lab.
- Meet the professor about exams.
- Grade lab reports.
- Take your own graduate seminar.
- Hold office hours.
- Work on your research.
- Finish grading.
Where graduate teaching assistants work
TAs work in classrooms, labs and offices on campus.
Hours and schedule
Part-time, usually about 20 hours a week, alongside graduate study.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Lead discussion sections
- Run labs
- Grade assignments
- Hold office hours
- Help faculty with courses
- Tutor students
- Proctor exams
Tools you’ll use every day
- Learning management systems
- Lab equipment
- Grading rubrics
- Video tools
- Office hour booking tools
- Spreadsheets
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Tuition often covered
- Teaching experience
- Build an academic resume
- Flexible campus life
What’s hard
- Low stipends
- Balancing study and teaching
- Grading load
- Temporary role
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I’m going to graduate school
- I like explaining my field
- I can balance many tasks
- I want teaching experience
- I’m reliable
- I like campus life
Not sure? Take the free Graduate Teaching Assistant fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow lab safety rules
- Protect student records
- Report concerns about students
- Follow campus safety