It was an unseasonably warm March night, at about 12 am, and I was frantically searching the campus job board under the dim light of my computer screen to help me survive once I left the dorm walls of University Hall, while my freshman-year roommate snored slightly.
As I scoured, I found jobs that seemed feasible, but nothing stood out as something that I wanted to do. When I stumbled upon the Writing Center’s hiring call, I laughed. There was no way I was qualified enough to work as a what they called “peer tutor.”
How was I, a Spring-quarter freshman with no future living situation and an ever-changing degree status, supposed to teach others?
I scrolled past the post.
The next morning, I opened my computer and sighed when I saw the job board still in my browser. The panic was beginning to set, and, in between teary calls to my parents and an exhausting trek for my daily iced latte, I happened upon the UCWbL’s hiring call a second time.
I thought about my options: I could not apply and save myself the sadness that would come with my inevitable rejection, or I could apply on a whim and maybe get an interview. I really had no other choice as deadlines approached, so I gathered my application materials and prepared myself for no response.
Except, I got a response.
Despite my worries, I was moving on to an interview—one that called for quite a bit of preparation. I called my mom, nervous because of my rising hopefulness, and prepped a teaching demo including chocolate cupcakes that were absolutely not a bribe, I swear.
Truthfully, I had never been to the Writing Center before my interview.
I had this idea that the tutors would tear my writing apart or tell me I needed to change everything I’d ever written. Yet, as soon as I stepped foot in the Writing Center, I entered a community built on kindness, compassion, and support.
I remember sitting on the famous orange couch waiting for my interview, biting my nails as my legs shook. Across from me sat a former tutor, Cris, who noticed my anxiety and asked if I was here for an interview. When I explained that yes, I was, and told her of my demo plan, she laughed and assured me it was a great idea.
It was the smallest interaction but, at the time, made such a massive impact. The kindness I experienced then was enough to help me breathe through my interview, and, though I blacked out during the actual meeting, I left with a sense of calm knowing that I did what I could and faced my fears.
I was on the Fullerton train platform just outside of the Lincoln Park campus, going to buy jeans, when I got the acceptance letter. I practically screamed and instantly called my parents to let them know. I was overcome with a sense of excitement and accomplishment—but also fear.
I had no idea what it was like to work an office job outside of occasionally filing for my mother when her receptionist called off, and I still had this creeping doubt that anyone would and should listen to my advice. Yet I pushed aside my worry and bought a celebratory pair of pants.
…
The real work began that fall of sophomore year.
In late August, before classes began, I attended the UCWbL orientation. When I opened the doors of the SAC seminar room, voices boomed; laughter filled the air. Truthfully, I was hopelessly lost and scared. Everyone seemed so cordial and lovely, sure, but also entirely familiar with each other. Instead I was new and awkward and small, so I took a seat at the end of a middle row and prayed for no interactive activities.
Unfortunately, everyone who works here knows that the UCWbL loves a good icebreaker.
Within twenty minutes of my arrival, I was thrust into a small group where I was to discuss my favorite books, movies, memories, etc. As I chatted with my coworkers, I slowly realized that people were as welcoming as they were familiar, like Cris once was. I met new and returning tutors alike who supported me and made me feel comfortable in a space so daunting.
The preparatory class WRD 395 was a quick indication that the Writing Center wasn’t going to be like any job I’d ever had. While I learned how to tutor and adapt to writers’ learning styles and tendencies, I was able to reflect on my own writing too.
I also made some of my best friends in that class, who’ve made my experience at the UCWbL one that I’ll never forget. In class and orientation, I watched videos where returning tutors were asked their favorite thing about the Writing Center, and every single one of them stated, “the people.”
Now that I am a returning tutor, I can agree wholeheartedly. While I love the actual work I do at the UCWbL— reception, editing, Writing Fellows, outreach, and more—the people I work with are the greatest takeaways from my position as a peer tutor.
I just love what I do.
As writing tutor, I read papers of all genres, looking for patterns and giving feedback on what I think could be improved. While I’m assisting my peers, I personally am gaining the most out of these appointments.
In reading other people’s writing, not only do I learn so much about topics I’m not familiar with, but I also can recognize patterns in my own craft or aspects of other people’s writing that I want to incorporate. Recently, I looked back at the writing sample I applied with, and compared to what I write now, there’s a massive difference—one that I am so grateful to my peers for.
At the UCWbL, I’ve also been able to explore other passions like event planning, marketing, and outreach. Through the Outreach team (which I have been a part of since my second quarter at the Writing Center), I have planned, organized, and facilitated countless worthwhile events that have sparked a desire in me to connect with others over the things I’m most passionate about.
All in all, what I do here—what I have done here—has been as helpful to me as it has been to the people we tutor.
I am so grateful for what I’ve learned from every written feedback, online real-time, face-to-face, outreach meeting, reception encounter, and orange couch talk. I’d assumed even before I applied that I was not the person who would be accepted at an institution like the Writing Center, but I soon learned that this was just not the case.
The people here are intelligent and kind, focused on helping writer’s voices be expressed in meaningful and fitting ways. Before the Writing Center, I was unsure and isolated, but, from this community, I’ve gained so much both artistically and personally.
As we usher in a new class of tutors, I hope that you find the Writing Center as welcoming, helpful, and supportive as I have over these last three years.