I still remember to this day, seeing DePaul’s University Center for Writing-based learning (UCWbL) hiring sign in the window of SAC 212. I was a —slightly younger man — with dreams of editorial work who wanted to find a way to engage in those skills. I was on my way home from a class in the SAC, when I saw the sign in the window, “Nice People. Good Writers.” After being frequently using the writing center’s services myself for a year and a half, and always benefiting from talking about ideas for written art, I felt the opportunity call to me.
Although I’m sure that this post will go out at a later date, as of writing, I am now in my last quarter at the UCWbL and will be graduating at the end of Spring Quarter in June. I have worked for the UCWbL for three years from 2019 to now in 2021. Being a peer tutor has been one of the best experiences to ever happen to me and in this blog I want to share some advice and things I’ve learned over the last three years.
Personal Interaction Skills
One of the most important things the UCWbL has fostered in me was an increase in my confidence in personal interactions with people as writers and people in general. Before joining, I was guided by more of my timid tendencies and had trouble interacting with both my UCWbL co-Peer Writing Tutors and other students at DePaul. I even froze up during my first appointment that I took the lead on during my training, which was being supervised by a tutor who had already been there longer. While my mentor took the reins of the appointment at the time and continued working with a writer on their book review, I felt ashamed. I also was afraid that not knowing everything about what writers come in with made me unqualified as tutor.
However, the tutor serving as my mentor reassured me, letting me know that I will get better in time. The writing aspect itself was what we were here for, but we were still generalist tutors who would need to look things up in the future. Being a generalist tutor was a nerve wracking thing at first, but through ever present support, practice, and experience; I have gained more comfort than I ever thought I could have with applying my interpersonal skills in professional settings.
I can now develop and maintain genuine rapport with writers and friends outside the UCWbL and have mostly shed my imposter syndrome when it comes to tutoring. I had a handful of repeat appointments and thank yous from some of the writers I’ve managed to help. My skills in taking initiative and being proactive in creating and maintaining an effective agenda to help writer’s effectively with their highest priority concerns. This has also transferred to my personal life where I was able to break down steps to making a youtube video by reapplying my agenda setting skills in a different way. My time managing skills also improved and my speed in doing certain tasks and reading have improved with my numerous written feedback appointments.
Staff Interaction
My appointments were not the only areas that happened to help my interpersonal skills and confidence. My experiences being on the Outreach team also helped me gain confidence interacting with students outside of the UCWbL’s community through recruitment initiatives such as tabling, sending out boilerplates, and advertising our brand by being a friendly presence at events such as the Peer Mentor Summit. Joining teams like Outreach and committing oneself to the training process will result in a desirable and organic shift in even the most introverted of people.
I learned that even if you don’t know a lot about a given topic, you can still help with the written communication of a piece about it. Plus, you end up learning as you go. The staff at the UCWbL also give consistent support and will never make you feel like you are on your own. And speaking on that note, the next section will cover my experience on the most supportive staff I have experienced (even if this was my first job!).
Writing Center Staff
Not just the Peer Writing Tutors, but the administrators leading the team are some of the most supportive people that I have had backing me during my time here. They have been incredibly clear about what to expect from me and go out of their way to give what we need and expect from them: solid leadership, as well as a guiding and accommodating hand. The UCWbL administrators are willing to go out of their way to make us feel at home and supported during our time as tutors.
One time, when a certain regiment of my diet had me gone during certain times that were longer than normal, one of the admins pulled me into their office and expressed concern for my well being, reminding me of certain HR accommodations that can be given if the method of healthcare was making my body act that differently.
A much less personal example are times where two of the administrators, Erin Hermann and Katie Brown, have made announcements giving the flexibility and encouragement for tutors to take time for themselves during the pandemic whenever needed. The admins are incredibly reliable and some of the most compassionate and understanding people I have come to work under. I know that they are some of the best leaders I’ll ever work for.
Final Word
I am now about to graduate from this school and work as a much more independent, confident, and able individual. There are perks to the knowledge I’ve gained here at the UCWbL, from helping people with their writing, no matter what type it is, to the ability to be able to talk about how to enhance a piece of writing, to work with peers on projects. This will all make for a marketable and more positive future.
Through my experiences, I have learned how to utilize these skills and have connected with people who I will always be grateful to have met and will try to stay in touch with them. The Writing Center is not only great for the community, but for the individuals who make it what it is. If you are looking to get a great work experience, surrounded by the best, supportive individuals, please consider trying to join our Writing Center’s family or come in with your work. You will not be disappointed. And to Matthew Pearson, Erin Hermann, Katie Brown, Jen Finstrom, and others, thank you for everything.