Call for Graduate Writing Consultant Applications for 2026-2027
Update (3/23/2026)
- We are still accepting applications for 2026-2027! Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled.
Are you interested in joining a committed and engaged community of writers who work to support fellow writers? At the Writing Studio, because we value the perspectives of writers in all disciplines, we are interested in recruiting consultants from departments and programs across the university who have excellent communication and collaboration skills and are highly motivated and eager to learn.
In recent years, our dedicated team of writing consultants has included graduate students from Peabody, Engineering, and the Divinity School as well as from a variety of Arts & Science programs.
Beyond seeking graduate students studying in a variety of fields, we encourage applications from students of all backgrounds, including individuals from underrepresented minority backgrounds. We also welcome applications from students who are multilingual or who have experience supporting language learning. The position can count as a Federal Work Study position, and we appreciate applications from students who anticipate receiving Federal Work Study in the coming academic year.
Check out our current staff page for a sense of who鈥檚 working here now and these reflections from former Writing Studio consultants for a broader perspective on the position and its benefits.
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Position Description: Graduate Writing Consultant
鈥淢y biggest regret about my time at Vanderbilt is that I did not begin working as a Writing Studio consultant earlier. Despite only consulting for one year, however, I grew prodigiously as a writer and a teacher thanks to my time at the Writing Studio. Not only did I come to better understand helpful techniques for revising my own writing, but I practiced the kind of patience and rapport-building that I will need every day in my future career as an educator. Vanderbilt鈥檚 Writing Studio provided me with a diverse community of peers with whom I could brainstorm ideas to difficult pedagogical problems in a research-informed setting.鈥
-Ben Schwartz (PhD in English, 2024)
The Writing Studio employs current Vanderbilt graduate and professional students as hourly Graduate Writing Consultants. This is an in-person, campus-based position. We hire every spring semester for the upcoming academic year.
(When circumstances require, we also on rare occasions recruit for Graduate Writing Consultants who will join our team in January.)
Writing consultants gain valuable pedagogical experience in the following ways:
- by holding one-to-one appointments with graduate and undergraduate writers,
- by leading workshops in undergraduate classrooms,
- by facilitating writing groups for graduate and undergraduate students,
- by organizing educational programming in an interdisciplinary center.
2026-2027 starting salary: $15.50 per hour
Time commitment: 5-15 hours per week
Graduate consultants work no fewer than 5 hours per week and may work as many as 15 hours per week if their other departmental duties allow. Weekly hours include attendance at a mandatory weekly staff meeting (see below).
Mandatory Training and Weekly Staff Meetings
Please note that all new writing consultants will be required to attend a mandatory (paid) training and orientation in August the week before classes resume. When new graduate consultants have unavoidable conflicts with brief portions of training, it is possible to arrange a make-up session for those limited portions. The whole training cannot be reproduced in a make-up session.
August 2026 Writing Studio training schedule*
- Monday, August 17: Graduate Consultant Welcome and In-Class Workshop Program Training
- Tuesday, August 18 鈥 Friday, August 21 (9am-4pm, lunch provided): New Writing Consultant Training
Weekly Staff Meetings
All new and experienced writing consultants are also required to participate in mandatory weekly, full-staff training sessions (鈥渟taff meetings鈥) throughout the academic year. Weekly staff meetings are held on Wednesdays 9:10-10:00 a.m. and 4:10-5:00 p.m. Consultants commit holding time open in their schedule each semester to attend one or the other meeting.
Position FAQ
- For even more information, check out our Frequently Asked Questions page for the Graduate Writing Consultant position (VUnetID sign in required).
The Application
- For priority consideration, .
- Review of applications will begin after the priority consideration date, but applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until we are fully staffed for 2026-2027.
- We are currently accepting applications for 2026-2027.
Interested candidates must provide the following application materials:
- a letter demonstrating specific interest in and dedication to the teaching of writing (and confirming your availability for the mandatory August training)
- a curriculum vitae
- a writing sample of no more than 20 pages (a recent sample showing the candidate鈥檚 engagement with the expectations of writing in their field is preferred, but any sample demonstrating one鈥檚 writing abilities can be acceptable)
- a letter of recommendation from an adviser or other faculty member
- a statement from a departmental Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) verifying availability for employment in the Writing Studio*
Submit an Application
All application materials鈥搃ncluding letters and DGS statements鈥揷an be submitted through the .
Use of the online application is preferred, but materials may also be submitted via email to writing.studio@vanderbilt.edu. (For email submissions, please include 鈥淕raduate Consultant Application鈥 in subject line.)
Intent to Apply
You can also take a moment to indicate your . The online application form now includes an option to register your intent to apply without having all of your application materials ready.
For instance, those who are interested but unable to apply by the start of applicant review can use this option to make us aware an application is forthcoming.
Questions?
For more information, email us:
- Megan Minarich, Associate Director, at megan.l.minarich@vanderbilt.edu
- John Bradley, Director, at john.bradley@vanderbilt.edu
GRAD CHAT SESSIONS
Join us for one of our informal Grad Chat sessions to speak with a member of our administrative team about the position and get your questions answered.
Spring 2026 Dates
- Friday, February 20 from 3-4p on Zoom
- Thursday, March 5 from 11a-12p on Zoom
Let us know you are coming by . Registrants will receive a Zoom link via email shortly before each event. Email Dr. Megan Minarich, Associate Director of the Writing Studio & Tutoring Services, with any questions at megan.l.minarich@vanderbilt.edu.