Taking on a second assistantship

[kelannrob]

I've been accepted to an MA program that automatically grants all acceptees a grad assistantship. Yay, right? Here's the thing - I also would really like to work as a tutor in this university's writing center while in grad school, but the English assistantship only allows for GAs as graders or research assistants - not tutors.

I'm friends with the director of the writing program, and she was very enthusistic about me joining their team - went so far as to say I'd be given a leadership role in the center from the get-go (she's familiar with my previous experience as a tutor and attended my presentations at conferences). Se suggested that I may be able to swing a second assistantship (with my English GA position taking first priority of course). I'd be limited to 10 hours a week, on top of the 20 hours expected for my primary GA position, while also enrolled in 9 hrs of courses.

Is this too much? Does anyone else have experience with concurrent assistantships in grad school? If so, in addition to the time demands, could you offer any insight about how that affects the financial aspects. Does it equate to an additional stipend?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions :-)

[see_bella]

It depends if the tutor position is just gonna pay you a stipend or if they're gonna cover fees as well. You'd need to find out what the specifics of each award is. Also, working 30 hrs a week can be doable...I've seen folks, friends do it. It's all up to you, you know your temperament. My main advice would be not to fall behind in your studies...that's your primary reason for being there. You'll do well...I believe in you.

[kelannrob]

It depends if the tutor position is just gonna pay you a stipend or if they're gonna cover fees as well. You'd need to find out what the specifics of each award is. Also, working 30 hrs a week can be doable...I've seen folks, friends do it. It's all up to you, you know your temperament. My main advice would be not to fall behind in your studies...that's your primary reason for being there. You'll do well...I believe in you.

Thanks for the encouragement! This is all so new - I'm still a little nervous (okay...a lot nervous), but these forums and the folks I've met here have gone such a long way toward laying my fears to rest. Hope all goes well for you, too!

[rising_star]

Why not do the tutor position in a later semester, once you've settled into graduate school and given yourself a chance to see if an additional 10 hours of work each week is manageable?