TA

[pchang]

Being a TA is good for you. The whole women thing is just a fantasy. That will not happen.

[Lorizael]

Yeah, no. That's not a fantasy; that's a nightmare.

[Ben Kenobi]

Been a TA before, actually really enjoyed the experience.

Been a tutor for years, both on my own and through the college. Found out I really liked teaching one on one and I was pretty good at it. If you enjoy the subject, and don't mind working with other people, why not? It's great experience for the future if you plan to teach.

[Buster Crabbe's Uncle]

I'd say --- the money always sucks, but more than good experience, it's a huge networking opportunity; even if you don't grad there in that department, you'll have fantastic references if you do a good job, and a far better than usual grasp of how things work at the level grads operate.

[Elok]

Yeah, in my time spent as an undergrad and around grad students, that's the impression I've gotten. I've always tried to avoid putting anything extra on a TA's plate. (Except, I guess, that time I tried to bang my TA once the semester was over. Oops.)

I've heard that body part called many things, but never a "plate."

I'd think of it as a less completely dead-end job than customer support phone BS. You'll be differently frustrated for a change, which is nice, and get some public speaking and leadership skills to go with your by-now-probably-okay phoning with strangers skills. Public speaking and leadership might actually be useful for something; people with real, valuable jobs do those. Whereas talking on the phone with strangers is so miserable and unproductive that it's given to bottom-rung schmoes whenever feasible.

[Lorizael]

Oh crap this is actually happening I can't get out of it. Do you... do you think they'll let me bring in a DM screen?

[rah]

YOU CAN DO IT.
YOU CAN DO IT.

You're one of the most entertaining guys here. Just give them a taste of that.
I know it's easier on a forum, but we all know you have it in you.

You can do it.

[Ben Kenobi]

Good luck, Lorizael!

[Buster Crabbe's Uncle]

What they said. You are teh awesome, sir.

[Lorizael]

I am now listed on my school's website as a TA and very soon forty business majors will be trying to ignore my annoying voice for fifty minutes a week while staring at their iPhones. Oh god how did this happen.

[Elok]

If it's any consolation, you could just show your shrink this thread. She'll stop reading and write you a script for Xanax halfway through. Failing that, hey, it's not like the business majors are friends of yours, right? And the worst-case scenario is that you'll get the axe, and all that means is you won't have to do it anymore.

Assuming, of course, you can restrain the urge to get their attention by jumping up on a desk and swinging your genitals around to demonstrate pendular motion.

[Lorizael]

I was once given a prescription for anxiety meds to be taken as needed. However, it was never explicitly made clear to me what "as needed" really meant, so one time I thought I was going through a bout of anxiety and decided to take a pill, but I wasn't sure if I really needed it, so I spent the next half hour worrying about whether I had done the right thing and then threw up. I never took them again.

[Elok]

Anxiety meds make you anxious. There's a new one. But fair enough. Your case calls for alternative medicine. Repeat after me: "I will not fear. Fear is the mind-killer . . ."

[Jon Miller]

I am now listed on my school's website as a TA and very soon forty business majors will be trying to ignore my annoying voice for fifty minutes a week while staring at their iPhones. Oh god how did this happen.

Recently I have only taught graduate students. And outside the US.

When I was a TA the iPhone didn't exist.

It must be a different world.

JM

[Dinner]

Who knows, it may actually help with some of your issues. Face the fear and all that.

This. Get out of your comfort zone.