Become a Tutor

Why become a tutor?

We welcome qualified students from all majors to apply for work in the Writing Center. Tutors typically say that it is one of the best academic, professional, and personal (and paid $16/hr.) experiences they have had. Not only do they enjoy becoming part of the Writing Center community and working with fellow writers, they find that tutoring is enormously helpful in understanding and improving their own writing.

Thinking of applying to be a tutor? These videos are a must-see.

When can I apply?

While you can apply at any time, we typically make final hiring decisions well before the start of fall semester. This timing assures that newly hired tutors are available to attend the required training course and that payroll paperwork can be processed on time.

Initial Required Training Days: August 28-29, 2025 (10 AM-4 PM)

What are the requirements and process?

If you are an undergraduate (min. junior status by Fall ’25) or graduate student (including TAs and post-bacs) who would like to become a tutor:

  1. If you haven’t visited already, make an appointment at UWM’s Writing Center (or your current institution’s center) to discuss a piece of your own writing so that you gain first hand experience from a writer’s perspective.
  2. To get an application, either visit the Writing Center in Curtin Hall 127 during open hours or request one by emailing Margaret Mika, Writing Center Director, mmika@uwm.edu.
  3. Read carefully the instructions on the cover sheet (both sides) to be sure you submit all required materials in hard copy only. The required materials are:
    • Recommendation from a recent professor who can speak to both your writing and interpersonal skills.
    • All U/G college course transcript(s) (unofficial copies are acceptable)
    • Verification of a very strong GPA
    • At least one (1) recent, academic (non-fiction) 3-5 pp. writing sample. (Hard copies preferred)
  4. After files are reviewed, applicants may be invited to interview and to take a quiz designed especially for prospective tutors.
  5. Applicants who successfully complete steps 1-4 are invited to attend the first two days (listed above) of required training (earning pay or 1-cr U/G [Eng 442]). Please see application for further details.
  6. Once hired, tutors contractually commit to reliably working 4-10 permanent hours per week of their choice and attending four (4) professional staff meetings (listed below).

Staff meeting dates

Fall 2025 (Required) Staff Meeting Dates: Fridays, 1:15-2:45 PM, in the Writing Center CRT 127

  • September 12
  • October 10
  • November 7
  • December 5

Make a recommendation

If you are a professor who would like to recommend a junior, senior, or graduate student who you believe possesses superior writing and interpersonal skills:

  • Advise students to review this web page, and if further interested, email Margaret Mika for an application.
  • Send a letter (email) of recommendation directly to Margaret Mika, Writing Center Director, mmika@uwm.edu.

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