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Information for Undergraduate Students:
To become eligible to be a paid undergraduate consultant, students must successfully complete WRIT 300: Issues in Tutoring Writing. This course provides an introduction to the work of writing centers, theories of composition, and writing pedagogy. You’ll learn about writing processes, working with multilingual writers, and techniques for the one-to-one teaching of writing. You’ll also write, share your writing with others, conduct a writing-related research project, and observe and participate in tutoring sessions. The course meets for two hours each week; students also independently schedule one additional hour each week observing and co-consulting in the Writers Workshop, which lasts from about Week 6 – Week 15 of the semester.
WRIT 300 will be offered in Fall and Spring semesters. Please note that you may register without prior instructor consent. The Fall 2026 section will be held:
- MW 11:00-11:50am
After satisfactorily completing course requirements, students are eligible to apply to become a peer consultant with the Writers Workshop. The criteria for satisfactory course completion include:
- Evidence of growth as a novice writing consultant, as demonstrated through written assignments, class participation, and co-consulting sessions.
- Final course grade of B or above
- No more than 4 unexcused absences
- Demonstrated professionalism in class participation and co-consulting sessions. Professionalism involves actions like arriving for class and co-consulting sessions on time and prepared, participating in class discussion, and communicating as needed through University email.
- Evidence of ability to apply course concepts to practice, as assessed through written assignments, class participation, and co-consulting sessions.
Additional considerations may inform our hiring decisions, including factors like: class standing (we want everyone to have a chance to participate, so priority for seniors who meet the eligibility criteria), GPA, and available budget.
Undergraduate peer consultants work at the Writers Workshop on an hourly basis and are paid $15.00 per hour. Most students will work 5-8 hours per week on a regular schedule. Consultants are expected to work in-person at the Main Library or satellite location unless they have received reasonable accommodations through University channels.
You do not have to become a consultant if you take this course, which also serves as a good introduction to the scholarship and research methods of writing studies. It’s also a great introduction to the teaching of writing for prospective English teachers. Undergraduate consultants typically experience the following benefits from their involvement with the Writers Workshop:
- Improved confidence as writers;
- Deeper understanding of academic writing skills and writing development;
- Increased critical and analytical capabilities;
- Improved interpersonal skills, such as listening and questioning.
Have you previously taken WRIT 300?
If you’ve taken WRIT 300 in a previous semester, you’re welcome to (re)apply. To do so, please complete this application form. The application deadline for Fall 2026 is Thursday, May 14, at 11:59pm CT.
Are you a transfer student with prior writing center experience?
If you’ve completed a tutor training course or equivalent and have previous college-level writing center tutoring experience, please contact wow@illinois.edu. You may be eligible to become a peer tutor without enrolling in WRIT 300. We’d love to hear from you and have you join our team!
Information for Graduate Students:
We have two major calls for applications each year: in early March for the upcoming academic year and in mid-to-late October for the spring. In general, we aim to hire consultants for at least two semesters. Our positions are advertised in the Graduate Assistantship Clearinghouse, on our website, and via individual departments and programs.
We will be accepting applications for AY26-27 from February 18th – March 13th. Application instructions are below.
General Application Process:
The Writers Workshop hires graduate student writing consultants each semester. Our Graduate Writing Consultants receive 33%, 25%, or 17% teaching assistantships which require 13, 10, or 7 hours a week, respectively. Our most common appointment is 25%. We occasionally hire Graduate Hourly consultants, which typically involves 5-9 hours per week. Graduate Writing Consultants provide assistance to undergraduate and graduate students from across the disciplines on documents like class papers, graduate school application materials, cover letters and resumes, theses and dissertations, and manuscripts for publication.
We also hire 1-2 Science Writing Consultants each semester. This position is a 25% teaching assistantship. Our Science Writing Consultants work 5 hours each week in the Main Library and 5 each week in the MCB Learning Center (Burrill Hall). Particularly at the MCB Learning Center location, these consultants are likely to work with lab reports, poster presentations, grant and fellowship proposals, and manuscripts for publication. Science Writing Consultants must be available to work their 5 hours each week at the MCB Learning Center in mid-day shifts (~10am-5pm, ideally Tues, Wed, and/or Thur).
All consultants’ primary responsibility is to help writers develop effective writing knowledge and skills through one-to-one tutoring sessions. Other responsibilities may include developing and facilitating in-class presentations and special topic workshops, creating handouts and other materials, and representing the Workshop at events like career fairs.
The duties for the position are as follows:
- Providing writing support in individual and small-group tutorials at all stages of the writing and research process in in-person and video call sessions;
- Facilitating writing-related presentations;
- Attending pre-semester orientation and at least 5 (paid) professional development meetings per semester;
- Interacting professionally with students and staff;
- Arriving on time in the Main Library or designated satellite location for all tutorial shifts;
- Notifying office staff well in advance of absences;
- Completing the University’s mandatory ethics training and any other required training,
typically once a year; - Following expectations as set forth in the Writers Workshop’s Staff Handbook.
Preferred qualifications for this position include:
- At least one year of prior teaching or tutoring experience at the college level.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to interact with students from a diverse array of academic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds.
- Knowledge of college writers, including common challenges with genres like research-based writing, persuasive writing, and job application materials.
- Preferred expertise in one or more of these areas: first-year college writing; science, technical, and/or business writing; second language writing; supporting underrepresented and minoritized students, adult learners, and/or students with disabilities.
Candidates must be in good academic standing.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer dedicated to building a community of excellence, equity, and diversity. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds and identities. The University of Illinois System does not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on their real or perceived race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran and will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders and regulations. Visit University of Illinois Non-Discrimination Statement
Compensation in the form a stipend and, for appointments of 25% or more, a tuition waiver, are in compliance with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Graduate College. Graduate Hourly positions are compensated $26.77 per hour. The Writers Workshop does not provide appointments of 25% or higher to students in graduate programs that have been designated as cost-recovery, self-supporting, or reimbursable.
Applications consist of:
- A 1-2 page academic cover letter that describes your relevant teaching/tutoring experiences and qualifications.
- CV, including contact information for at least 2 professional references (name, title, email address, and phone number).
- One writing sample. The writing sample should be a full-length piece that represents your polished academic writing; past writing samples have included course papers, journal manuscripts, thesis/dissertation chapters, and so on.
Applications should be addressed to Dr. Carolyn Wisniewski and submitted to wow@illinois.edu.