It is Never Too Early

As the enrollment numbers in large classes climb and budgets continue to shrink, many programs are seeking viable long-term alternatives to hiring additional personnel. One potential solution is the creation of an undergraduate teaching assistant (UTA) program. The current project provides an overview of one such program, including the selection, training, and requirements for students seeking to become UTAs as well as an overview of the course structure, including the specific duties and expectations for the UTAs. Additionally, we report survey results from 30 previous UTAs outlining the impact of their time in the program on their subsequent personal and academic experiences. UTAs reported that they gained a variety of skills that they were able to apply to other courses. For example, many UTAs reported better time management skills and listening skills, more patience with others, and increased confidence in the subject matter. Practically, they gained experience understanding the perspectives of others, learning when to step back and when to intervene, and developing leadership skills. The vast majority found the UTA experience extremely rewarding.