We surveyed 3,595 graduate teaching assistants to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical graduate teaching assistant. Here are the results.
How much intelligence is required as a graduate teaching assistant?
Low
High
Working as a graduate teaching assistant typically doesn’t require the use of high levels of intelligence in daily tasks.
Can I learn to become a graduate teaching assistant?
Intrinsic Talent
Acquired Talent
A career as a graduate teaching assistant typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.
Is it easy to get a job as a graduate teaching assistant?
Easy
Hard
It’s typically difficult to find a job as a graduate teaching assistant. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for graduate teaching assistants.
Do graduate teaching assistants work full-time or part-time?
18% of graduate teaching assistants work in full-time roles while 82% work part-time.
Is being a graduate teaching assistant stressful?
Low
High
Graduate teaching assistants tend not to find their jobs stressful, which likely contributes positively to career satisfaction.
Is being organized important as a graduate teaching assistant?
Low
High
Some level of organization is generally required to be a graduate teaching assistant.
How competitive is the workplace for graduate teaching assistants?
Low
High
Competition at work is not common for graduate teaching assistants.
Does being a graduate teaching assistant require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?
Low
High
Time pressure tends not to be a major contributor of stress for graduate teaching assistants.
Are graduate teaching assistants allowed to express themselves creatively?
Low
High
Graduate teaching assistants are afforded a certain level of ability to express themselves creatively, compared to other careers.
Do graduate teaching assistants have control over the direction of their work?
Low
High
Graduate teaching assistants tend to have a set and inflexible work schedule that they are unable to deviate from too much.
Is being a graduate teaching assistant physically demanding?
Low
High
Work as a graduate teaching assistants is not the most physically demanding of careers, falling in the bottom half of all careers.
Are graduate teaching assistants exposed to a wide variety of work?
Low
High
Graduate teaching assistants tend to have a monotonous work routine, with little variety in their day-to-day tasks.
Does being a graduate teaching assistant require attention to detail?
Low
High
Attention to detail isn't necessarily required to be successful as a graduate teaching assistant.
Does being a good graduate teaching assistant require compassion and empathy?
Low
High
Being compassionate and empathetic is considered helpful to those looking to pursue careers as graduate teaching assistants.