1. Getting Started: Your First Two Weeks

Week 1 — Orientation and Setup

• Attend the graduate assistantship orientation session (schedule provided by the graduate school)
• Complete onboarding paperwork: tax forms (W-4), direct deposit, benefits election, and background check if required
• Set up your university accounts: email, learning management system (LMS) access, and any research or lab accounts
• Meet your supervisor (faculty advisor or course instructor) to review your duties, schedule, and expectations in writing
• Introduce yourself to other GAs in your cohort — building peer connections early makes everything easier

Week 2 — Shadowing and Practice

• Observe an experienced GA lead a section or join a research group meeting
• Review course materials, syllabi, or project documents you will be working with
• Complete required safety, privacy, or system training modules (see Section 5)
• Confirm your weekly schedule, work location, and communication norms with your supervisor

2. Teaching Assistant (GTA) Training

Leading Discussion Sections

• Prepare in advance: Read the assigned material before each section and plan 2–3 open-ended discussion questions
• Start with engagement: Open with a quick poll, a provocative question, or a real-world example tied to the lecture
• Manage participation: Use name tents or a raise-hand rotation so a few voices don't dominate; gently invite quieter students in
• Close with synthesis: End by summarizing key points and previewing the next topic

Grading Fundamentals

• Use the instructor's rubric consistently — grade against the criteria, not against the previous paper
• Provide specific, actionable feedback (e.g., "Your thesis is clear, but the second paragraph doesn't support it" rather than "Good start")
• Meet grading deadlines reliably; late grades cause cascading problems for the whole course
• Know the process for grade disputes and defer to the instructor on final decisions

Office Hours and Student Communication

• Advertise your office hours clearly (location, virtual link, times) on the course page
• Respond to student emails within 1–2 business days
• Know the boundary: you support the course, but the instructor owns final academic decisions
• Protect student privacy — never discuss one student's work or grade with another

3. Research Assistant (GRA) Training

Joining a Research Group

1. Learn the Project Read the group's recent publications, the active grant abstract, and any shared project documentation. You don't need to understand everything — just enough to follow meetings.
2. Learn the Tools Get access to the group's data repositories, lab equipment, software, and code. Ask for a walkthrough rather than figuring things out alone.
3. Take on a Small Task First Start with a bounded deliverable — a literature summary, a data cleaning script, or a figure. Completing one task well builds trust for bigger responsibilities.
4. Report Regularly Bring updates, obstacles, and questions to group meetings. A short written summary after each week (what you did, what's next, what's blocking you) keeps your supervisor informed.

Core Research Skills to Develop

Research Ethics and Integrity

• Complete your institution's Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training in your first semester
• Know when your work requires IRB/ethics approval before collecting any human-subjects data
• Follow data confidentiality and sponsor requirements for funded projects
• Never fabricate, falsify, or misrepresent data — report errors and anomalies to your supervisor promptly

4. Professional and Administrative Skills

Time Management

A full assistantship is about 20 hours per week on top of your coursework. Protect your academic time first, then schedule assistantship work in defined blocks:

• Block calendar time for grading, sections, and lab work — treat it like a class
• Batch similar tasks (e.g., grade all quizzes on one evening) to reduce context-switching
• Keep a simple log of hours and deliverables; it helps with reviews and future references

Communication Norms

• Confirm your supervisor's preferred channel and response time (email vs. messaging, same-day vs. 48 hours)
• Write clear subject lines and concise messages; state the ask, the deadline, and any decision needed
• Send a brief thank-you note after onboarding or a major milestone — small gestures build strong relationships

Documentation Habits

• Keep copies of your appointment letter, duty descriptions, and evaluation feedback
• Save work artifacts (rubrics, scripts, meeting notes) in a structured folder or shared drive
• Update your CV each term with new duties, skills, and collaborations

5. Required Training Checklist

Complete these during your first term. Your department or the graduate school can confirm which apply to your role.

• Onboarding and HR paperwork (tax, benefits, background check)
• Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) — required for all GAs
• Human Subjects Protection / IRB basics — required if working with participants
• Lab safety certification — required for wet-lab or equipment-based work
• Data privacy training (e.g., FERPA, student records) — required for GTAs
• Research data management and citation practices
• Teaching Assistant workshop series or certificate — recommended for GTAs
• Campus systems: LMS, time reporting, and payroll/stipend portal

6. Professional Development Throughout the Year

Build Your Portfolio

• Aim for at least one visible output per year: a poster, presentation, co-authored abstract, published figure, or a teaching demo lesson
• Present at your department's symposium or an external conference — even as a poster presenter
• Ask your supervisor for a letter of recommendation mid-year, while your work is fresh in their mind

Seek Feedback Proactively

• Request a mid-term check-in before the formal evaluation — it's easier to course-correct early
• Ask specific questions: "Which part of my grading feedback was most useful to students?" or "Where could my analysis be more rigorous?"
• Keep a running list of feedback themes so you can show measurable growth at evaluation time

Expand Your Network

• Attend department seminars and cross-disciplinary talks, even outside your field
• Find one peer mentor (a senior GA) and one informal mentor (a faculty member you admire)
• Join your graduate student association — it's a fast way to learn unwritten norms and find collaborators

7. Wellness and Work-Life Balance

Assistantships are demanding. Sustainable performance comes from protecting your energy, not just managing your hours.

8. End of Term: Wrap-Up and Renewal

Final Weeks

• Complete all outstanding duties (grading, reports, lab handoffs) and confirm completion with your supervisor
• Document handover notes for the incoming GA — a well-written handoff is a mark of professionalism
• Request your formal evaluation and a reference letter while your contributions are current
• Reconcile any equipment, keys, or access credentials and return them as required

Planning for Renewal

• Review your appointment terms and confirm renewal timing with the graduate school
• Prepare a brief summary of your year's contributions for renewal discussions
• If your appointment is not renewed, explore alternatives early: fellowships, external grants, part-time positions, or a temporary reduction in duties

Quick Reference: First 30 Days

Where to Get Help

• Your Supervisor / Instructor — day-to-day duties, feedback, and role-specific questions
• Graduate School / Graduate Programs Office — appointment terms, stipends, benefits, and formal policies
• Teaching and Learning Center — pedagogy workshops, demo lessons, and instructional design help
• Research Center / Core Facilities — methods training, equipment access, and data management support
• Graduate Student Association — peer support, collective concerns, and professional development events
• Campus Counseling and Wellness Services — mental health, stress management, and well-being resources