Types of Graduate Student Employment
GSI:
In economics, graduate student instructors generally have three main duties: attending lecture, teaching discussion sections and grading problem sets and exams. Additionally, GSIs are sometimes required to write problem set and/or exam questions.
A typical position would require teaching 2 sections, each of which meets twice per week for an hour. Additionally, GSIs hold two office hours per week to help students with specific questions they may have. Finally, some professors hold mandatory meetings with their GSIs.
Also, each GSI is responsible for administering one end-of-semester course evaluation. This duty involves passing out and collecting evaluation forms, and typically takes about 20 minutes.
Reader:
Appointees to the Reader title are employed to render diverse services as course assistants, which will normally include the grading of student papers and examinations. Readers are not permitted to perform teaching duties. Readers are generally expected to attend the lecture they are assigned and can also be expected to hold office hours.
Tutor:
Appointees to the Tutor title are employed to render individual or group instructional activities in support of regular academic programs. Under supervision of the GSI Coordinator, a tutor's duties may include individual tutoring sessions, group tutoring sessions and other duties as assigned.
In the economics department, tutors' primary role is to hold drop-in office hours (8hrs/week) to help students enrolled in econ 1, 100A, 100B and 140. Tutors do not perform teaching duties assigned to the GSI series.
GSR:
Graduate student researchers are hired by individual faculty members to perform research broadly related to the degree program. Contact faculty members directly to inquire about these positions.
Notes:
- Most econ positions are GSI'ing for econ 1, 100A or 100B.
- GSI positions are 50% unless otherwise noted.
- Reader and tutor positions are generally 25%.
- For GSR positions, contact the faculty member directly.