Apply Now to work with F&C!
Make a difference in the lives of young adults, gain unparalleled teaching and leadership experience, and tackle the biggest societal questions with some of our city's most inquisitive minds.
If you're looking for formal teaching experience, an Academic TA position may be a good fit for you.
Each day, ATAs observe professors' morning seminars before leading daily 45-minute reading and writing sessions for a group of 7-8 students. ATAs can write their own lesson plans, and provide feedback on students' writing assignments, much like a traditional college teaching assistant. Unlike traditional TAs, ATAs have the opportunity to build personal relationships with students outside of the classroom by leading the students' four-day orientation and running weekly extracurricular activities. Lastly, ATAs serve as college mentors for 3 of their students throughout the academic year, with introductory mentorship meetings beginning in July.
See our sample daily schedule.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply to be a Civic TA as well. Civic TAs work with F&C students throughout the academic year on a civic leadership project of their choice. Groups meet twice a month from September through April.
See a sample academic year calendar here.
Qualifications:
- Strong writing and editing skills
- High proficiency in presenting and communicating complex ideas
- Demonstrated interest in civic or political issues
- Experience organizing or leading others
- Familiarity with college application process, particularly for low-income, first generation, immigrant, and/or New York City students
- Must be a Columbia University sophomore or junior who has taken Contemporary Civilization
- Barnard students and GS/SEAS students who have taken comparable classes are welcome to apply. Please indicate in your cover letter which classes from your transcript best match the F&C syllabus
- Prior work with low-income and first-generation students is desired
Time Commitment:
Approx. 30 hours per week from June 23 - Aug 1
+ 2.5 hours per month Sept - May
- Staff training: June 26 - July 2
- Typically 9:30 - 4pm
- Typically 9:30 - 4pm
- Summer program July 2 - Aug 1, Monday - Friday
- 9:30 - 11:30am Professor Seminar (ATA observes)
- 11:45 - 12:30pm Breakout sessions (ATA leads)
- 1:30 - 4:00pm Class Prep, mentorship meetings, extracurricular activities (flexible scheduling available)
- College Mentorship: September through May
- TAs meet one-on-one with each mentee for about 1 hour a month to keep them on track with college applications
Compensation:
Up to $4,675 per year
- $3,800 - $4,000 for staff training and summer program (June - July)
- $225 per student in college mentorship (Sept - May)
- Opportunities are available throughout the program for extra work and additional compensation
If you want to work with students holistically and help them adjust to the toughest parts of college, the Residential TA position is for you.
RTAs live in suites with students and work with them between the hours of 12:30pm and 11pm. Responsibilities include everything from leading recreation periods to teaching study skills and time management and providing academic support during daily reading and writing sessions. Overall, this is your chance to make a young person recognize that she or he belongs on a college campus and in a college seminar. RTAs additionally serve as college mentors for 3 students throughout the academic year, with introductory mentorship meetings beginning in July.
See our sample daily schedule.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply to be a Civic TA as well. Civic TAs work with F&C students throughout the academic year on a civic leadership project of their choice. Groups meet twice a month from September through April.
See a sample academic year calendar here.
Qualifications:
- Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
- Editing or tutoring experience
- Must be a Columbia University sophomore or junior who has taken Contemporary Civilization
- Barnard students and GS/SEAS students who have taken comparable classes are welcome to apply. Please indicate in your cover letter which classes from your transcript best match the F&C syllabus
- Demonstrated ability to work well as part of a team
- Experience organizing or leading others
- Prior work with low-income and first-generation students is desired
Time Commitment:
Approx. 35 hours per week from June 26 - Aug 1
+ 2 hours per month Sept - May
- Staff Training: June 26 - July 2
- Typically 9:30 - 4pm
- Typically 9:30 - 4pm
- Summer Program July 2 - Aug 1, Sunday - Friday
- 35 hours per week maximum
- Staff are typically ON during the hours of 12:30pm - 11:00pm (with occasional wake-up/breakfast shifts and late-night hallway checks)
- Staff are OFF Fridays 5pm - Sundays 5pm (when students return home for the weekends)
- College Mentorship: September through May
- TAs meet one-on-one with each mentee for about 1 hour a month to keep them on track with college applications
Compensation:
Up to $5,000 per year
+ free housing and meal plan June 24 - Aug 1
- $3,900 - $4,400 for staff training and summer program (June - July)
- $225 per student college mentorship (Sept - May)
- Opportunities are available throughout the program for extra work and additional compensation
- Free housing and full meal plan June 24 to Aug 1
- note: dining halls are closed Saturdays and Sundays
Turn political thought to action by leading students on a yearlong civic engagement project
We put theory to practice in our civic engagement and leadership program during the academic year. CTA partners co-lead twice-monthly after-school lessons for a group of 10-12 students. Pre-written lessons and a tested curriculum provide students with the skills and building blocks to research a civic issue, educate others about it, and advocate for change. The program culminates in May with Civic Night presentations to the incoming class of F&C scholars. You can see past civic engagement projects here.
See a sample academic year calendar here.
Because the civic leadership project is a continuation of the summer's activities, Civic Teaching Assistants must also work with our students in the summer as either Residential TAs or Academic TAs.
Qualifications:
- Same as those for Residential TA or Academic TA, plus...
- Experience leading group projects, clubs, or events
- Some knowledge of the civic issues relevant to NYC youth
- Some familiarity with the structure of NYC government and political process
- Ability to commit to the full academic year (see below)
- Must be a Residential TA or Academic TA in summer 2023 to serve as a Civic TA in the 2023-2024 school year.
Time Commitment:
5 hours per month Sept - May
- 2 hour meetings every other week, typically 5:25 - 7:25pm
- Must be able to commit in advance to the meeting day for the fall semester
- CTAs do not work over school holidays or winter break
Compensation:
$850 per year
- $22/hour for meetings, prep time, and trainings
If you want to help first-generation students adjust to life on a college campus, apply now for the Social Work Fellowship!
The Social Work Fellow will support staff and students in promoting social and emotional well-being across our community. In June, the fellow will partner with the Executive Director and Program Coordinator to design and lead staff training, which will include guidance on mental and emotional support for teenage students. During the 4-week program in July, the fellow will work afternoons and evenings Sunday – Thursday with the residential staff to help students successfully complete the program.
See our sample daily schedule.
Responsibilities:
Exact details will be worked out with the ED based on the fellow’s specific skills, interest, and experience
- Partnering with Executive Director to design and implement training sessions for undergraduate staff, particularly on social-emotional health of teens
- Advising on mental health or well-being related crises, in consultation with the Executive Director and Columbia's office of Counseling and Psychological Services.
- Collaborating with undergraduate staff to execute programming that promotes a healthy and welcoming community of scholars
- Leading group or 1:1 sessions during free time periods based on student needs
Qualifications:
- Coursework and/or relevant practical experience with teenage mental health
- Prior work with low-income and first-generation high school students highly desired
- Experience leading, teaching, or training others
- Strong organizational and project management skills
- Experience in summer-camp environments (including orientation programming, residential advising, teen-leadership organizations, etc.) desirable
- Open to current graduate students only, including international students with work authorization.
Time Commitment:
25 hours per week June 26 - Aug 1
+ optional 5 - 10 hours per week during the academic year
All hours are approximate
- Summer prep:
- June 1 - June 17
- Est. 20 hours of prep total
- Flexible schedule
- Staff training and summer program:
- June 20 - Aug 1
- Est. 25 hours/week, Sunday - Thursday
- Hours typically between 12:30 - 4:00pm Mon - Thurs + Sunday evenings
- You and the ED will work out a schedule that suits you best
- See student daily schedule for an idea of how the afternoons and evenings run
- Academic year:
- Option to support college application work during the academic year at 5 - 10 hours per week
Compensation:
$35/hour, up to $14,250 per year
- Up to $6,125 for summer prep, training, and programming
- Up to $8,125 for the academic year
Step into a leadership role caring for the well-being and education of 45 students and 9 staff members!
The Residential Supervisor partners with the Executive Director and Program Coordinator in overseeing our high school students and residential staff living in the dormitories. The Residential Supervisor will help to train residential staff, set their schedules, and observe and provide feedback to staff throughout the summer.
See our sample daily schedule.
Responsibilities:
Exact details will be worked out with the ED based on the fellow’s specific skills, interest, and experience
- Partnering with Executive Director to design and implement training sessions for RTAs
- Serving as point person between program and Columbia offices such as Conference Housing, Dining Hall, and Public Safety.
- Leading RTA staff in running afternoon and evening programming
- Scheduling, observing, and providing feedback and support for RTA staff
- Handling student conflicts, staff issues, and other problems as they arise (with support from Executive Director)
- Other duties related to ensuring a successful summer program
Qualifications:
- Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
- Experience working in residential halls or summer-camp environments (including NSOP, residential advising, teen-leadership organizations, etc.)
- Demonstrated ability to teach, lead, or train others
- Strong organizational and project management skills
- Prior work with low-income and first-generation students desired
- Open to Columbia/Barnard undergraduate students age 21+ and graduate students with work authorization
Time Commitment:
35 hours per week June 20 - Aug 1
All hours are approximate
- Staff Training: June 26 - July 2
- Typically 9:30 - 4pm
- Typically 9:30 - 4pm
- Summer Program July 2 - Aug 1, Sunday - Friday
- 35 hours per week maximum
- Staff are typically ON during the hours of 12:30pm - 11:00pm
- Staff are OFF Fridays 5pm - Sundays 5pm (when students return home for the weekends)
Compensation:
Up to $6,600 for the summer
+ free housing and meal plan June 24 - Aug 1
- $30/hour for summer prep, training, and programming
Application
Please gather the following materials to apply online by 11:59pm on Sunday, February 19
Note: You only need to apply once to be considered for multiple positions
Cover letter
Explain your interest in the program and your most relevant experience. We especially welcome applicants who are FGLI and encourage such students to identify themselves in their cover letters, as appropriate. If you are applying for multiple jobs please indicate if there is one you'd like to be considered for first. Letters may be addressed to our Executive Director, Dr. Jessica Lee.
Resume
References
Names and email addresses of two references, academic or professional.
If you are invited for an interview we'll contact your references to schedule a short phone call with them.
Unofficial transcript through Fall 2022
A screenshot or printout of your SSOL record is sufficient as long as it is legible. If you are still missing grades, send what you can and update us when your grades are posted.
Writing sample (ATAs and RTAs only)
Please choose a paper written for Contemporary Civilization. If you have not taken CC please select a paper written on one of the texts from our syllabus.
Student Voices
The Difference a TA Makes
Our TAs encourage students' intellectual growth, foster their academic independence, build their reading and writing skills, and support their college applications. Read below what our students think of this important work.
