How To become A Research Or Training Assistant At USA University?

The USA is one of the best destinations to study abroad, but it is also one of the most expensive places to study. Since living in the USA is so costly, studying there without any part-time job or financial aid becomes even more difficult.

That is why students studying in the USA always look for scholarships or financial aid programs; one such program is an assistantship. There are many assistantships offered in the USA to help students financially. 

Students who participate in research or teaching programs supporting the university’s academic goals and graduate study are granted assistantships which helps them financially.

The university provides a salary, full tuition assistance, and health insurance to students with full assistantships. The universities offer assistantships to students pursuing full-time Ph.D. degrees and research-based graduate degree students. In the USA, there are three types of assistantships provided to students:  

1. Teaching Assistant (TA) 

2. Research Assistant (RA) 

3. Academic Assistant, also known as Graduate Assistant (GA). 

In this blog, we will tell you the importance of assistantship programs, the types of assistantship programs, their requirements, and how to apply for them. So, read till the end to get an insight into how to become a research or teacher assistant.  

Why is Assistantship Important? 

If your dream is to study in the USA without worrying about finances, opt for an assistantship. You can efficiently work while studying in the USA through assistantships. Assistantships allow students to work with professionals in their chosen field and grant them a full tuition waiver.  

Assistantships help students in the following way: 

• All assistants get a stipend which allows them to fund themselves while studying in the USA. 
• Assistantships help students gain valuable work experience while studying. 
• Assistantships enable students to work with senior teachers and professionals, which helps them in building a network. 
• Many assistantships help students reduce their tuition fees or give a waiver on tuition fees which save international students from taking student loans.  
• Graduate assistantships allow students to put their knowledge into practice while getting one-on-one instructions from education consultants.  

3 Types of Research and Teaching Assistantships for Students in the USA 

1. Teaching Assistantships

In the USA, a teaching assistantship means working with a teacher. Teachers have a lot of work apart from teaching classes. Many teachers pick apprentices to attend courses when busy. Teacher assistants (TAs) also help in conducting class discussions and conferences.

At the end of the semester, students can choose the professor they want to work within the assistantship. The stipend provided to students is given by the university from the university funds.  Some basic requirements to become a teacher assistant are: 

• Participate in one of the alumni programs of the university. 
• Excellent English speaking and writing skills 
• Participation in the university-sponsored teaching assistantship program 
• Strong academic background 

2. Research Assistantships

A research assistant (RA) is a student who works on average 15 to 20 hours per week on research that is not directly related to their thesis. An RA’s job involves working on a faculty’s research project. There is no separate application requirement for this assistantship.

Departments or faculty members designate the students. Compared to TAs, RAs play a more extensive role in research projects. The most effective way to get a research assistantship is to apply when applying for university admission. The requirement for research assistantships are: 

• Enrollment in one of the university’s graduate programs. 
• Strong academic background 
• Excellent English speaking and writing skills 
• Fulfill all the other requirements of the university 

3. Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships (GA) are similar to research assistantships (RA); the difference arises in the requirements to become a GA. To become a GA, students need to fulfill the following criteria: 

• Be a part of a graduate program 
• Maintain a 3.0+ GPA in all subjects 
• Must have prior experience working in a leadership role, including on a student council. 
• Knowledge of basic computer skills
• Must know about arranging events for university students 
• Must know how to conduct research and data analysis 

The only difference between GAs, TAs, and RAs is that GAs are paid more because they know more about the topic. 

How To Get Research Or Teaching Assistantships In The USA Universities? 

There is no set procedure for obtaining an assistantship. It depends on your grades and your relationship with your professors. If a professor finds potential in you, they might select you for the assistantship.   

Here are a few guidelines that you can follow to secure an assistantship while studying in the USA: 

• Weigh down your options before enrolling in the university: Before applying for a graduate or doctoral program, look into all possible opportunities for your employment as a graduate assistant. You can inquire about the possibilities and competition before applying to assess your chances.  
• Talk to your academic advisor: After enrolling in the university, you can talk to your academic advisor about your plan to apply for an assistantship. This way, you will be better guided as your advisor will provide all the information you need to assess your options. After talking to your advisor, you will better understand what is accessible.  
• Research online: Search online to find job postings for graduate assistants. Universities often post on their website about jobs for students who are looking for employment.  
• Build a network: Associating with other students, staff members, and professors might help you to acquire an assistantship. A teacher who understands your abilities and needs help with research and teaching might ask you to assist them. 

Top USA Universities Offering Research Assistantships 

Several Universities in the USA offer assistantship programs to students. Here is the list of some of the best universities in the USA that offer assistantships to students: 

• Kent State University 
• University of Idaho 
• The University of Alabama 
• University of Findlay 
• University of South Alabama 

Conclusion 

It is essential to understand that it is not easy to get an assistantship, but if you get one, it can benefit you in multiple ways. As a graduate or doctoral-level student, you should opt for an assistantship rather than a scholarship or financial aid, as an assistantship will help you learn something new and make a living.