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LIBRARY AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES
TUTORING SUPPORT

Students

Come Tutor with Us!

The Library and Academic Support Services hires CSP students to tutor content for a variety of math, science, computer science, and other courses at Concordia.  Peer tutors work with students 1-on-1 or in small groups, either in-person or virtually.

We hire tutors twice a year at the beginning of fall and spring semesters.

Qualifications for Becoming a Peer Tutor

  • Has a clear passion for helping other students and/or tutoring.
  • Completed course(s) they want to tutor or an equivalent course at a different university.
  • One instructor or faculty recommendation (send instructors this form).
  • Strong communication skills, study habits, and time management skills.
  • Holds at least a B in the course(s) that they want to tutor.
  • Is a CSP undergraduate student*.

*NOTE - At this time, the Library and Academic Support Services only hires students who attend Concordia’s St. Paul campus.

Responsibilities of a Peer Tutor

  • Holds tutoring sessions with students either in-person in academic spaces or virtually via Zoom.
  • Works with students to plan, study, and/or review course content.
  • Attends all mandatory training sessions.
  • Meets with supervisor for mid-semester check-ins.
  • Maintains accurate and proper records of tutoring sessions.
  • Responds promptly to messages or emails from students, their supervisor and other Library and Academic Support Services staff.

Time Commitment

Tutors are required to leave a minimum of 6 hours of availability open in their schedule per week for students to schedule tutoring sessions. At least 4 of the hours of a tutor’s availability must occur during the times listed below.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
10am-6pm 11am-5pm 10am-6pm 10am-6pm 10am-4pm

 

Why Become a Tutor?

In addition to looking great on a resume and giving you invaluable experience working with others, the Library and Academic Support Services is committed to helping its student employees develop skill sets to prepare them for long-term professional success. For peer tutors, these skillsets include:

Career and Self-Development
  • Tutors are encouraged to think about how tutoring serves their career goals and aspirations, and to assess their own strengths and weaknesses in the workplace.
Communication
  • Tutors explain complex ideas and concepts to students in easy to follow ways. They are trained to listen actively and respond to student needs.
Critical Thinking
  • Tutors anticipate questions that students may have about the material they’re learning, and breakdown reasoning in a clear and effective way.
Inclusive Practices
  • Tutors work with students of all cultural backgrounds and ability levels. They foster relationships with students who might feel out of place in a course because of their ability level.
Professionalism
  • Tutors manage their appointments on their calendars. They arrive at their tutoring appointments on time and maintain the confidentiality of their students and tutoring sessions.

Job Opening Timeline

The peer subject tutor application will open towards the end of August for Fall Semester and remain open until the third week of September. Orientation will begin the second week of classes.

Please keep in mind that the hiring process can take anywhere between 2 to 3 weeks to complete. This timeline may be longer if you are applying to be a CSP student worker for the first time or are missing paperwork required by HR.  

Hiring

  1. Apply
  2. Request 1 faculty or instructor to fill out the faculty recommendation form
  3. Come in for a 30 minute interview
  4. If offered a position, fill out paperwork with HR
  5. Meet with HR for I-9 verification (Requires one to two forms of original identification. Identification cannot be photocopied. Information about what sort of identification you’ll need to provide will be emailed to you by HR if you are offered a position as a peer tutor)
  6. Attend Peer Tutor Orientation & Tutoring Fundamentals training

For more information about the hiring process, see the graphic below which shows all the required things students must do before they can begin tutoring students:


 

Application Process FAQs

I’ve never tutored before. Can I still apply to be a peer tutor?

Yes! Previous work experience as a tutor is not a requirement to become a peer tutor at CSP. You will be asked to speak to experiences (previous jobs, student groups, activities outside of school) that you think will set you up for success as a tutor, but that does not require prior experience tutoring.

I’m a graduate/ professional student. Can I still apply to be a peer tutor?

At this time, the Library and Academic Support Services limits the hiring of peer tutors mainly to undergraduate students. The only exception to this is the Department of Physical Therapy which nominates two students to apply to be tutors at the beginning of Fall Semester.

Why does this position require an interview and what do you look for during it?

The interview is a chance for the Library and Academic Support Services staff to meet with students and get to know them. It’s also a chance for students to demonstrate their knowledge of the subject and speak to their desire to be a tutor in person.

There are a variety of factors we look for in students interviewing to be a tutor. In addition to excellent communication skills and a passion for the subject(s) the student wants to tutor, the Library and Academic Support Services looks for students who display characteristics that make a good tutor. This includes characteristics such as patience, service oriented interests and hobbies, a drive to help others, excellent study habits, and a desire to learn.

Will I get the interview questions beforehand?

No. However, we will hand you the sheet with the interview questions on it for you to look at during the interview.

When should I reach out to someone if I haven’t heard anything after submitting my application?

Wait at least 1 week after submitting your application before inquiring about the status of your application. If you still haven’t heard anything after a week, email tutoring@csp.edu.

I’ve seen tutors work in classrooms. How can I do that?

Tutors that work with faculty or instructors to facilitate learning in a classroom setting are called learning assistants (LAs for short). All LAs are peer tutors for at least one semester before they can become a learning assistant. If you’re interested in becoming a learning assistant, apply to be a tutor and express your interest in the interview process to let the Tutoring Manager know.

Do I apply to be a writing tutor here?

No. Students who are interested in applying to be a writing tutor should submit their application on the hiring page of the writing center website.

I have been offered a position as a peer tutor. Does this mean I can start tutoring students?

No. The employment offer is contingent upon approval of your employment by HR. Once you are offered a position, you must complete the appropriate paperwork and meet with HR in person before your position will be approved by HR. Working any hours prior to this approval could result in termination.

Once your position has been approved by HR, you will need to attend the peer tutor orientation and the Tutoring Fundamentals tutor training before students can start scheduling appointments with you for tutoring.