Strategic Teaching/TAing

[anthro_grad2014]

Hi All,

 

I am studying Anthropology but have an opportunity to TA for a Qualitative Methods for Global Health class. I asked my advisor what she thought about me doing that and she said that it would only be useful if I wanted to position myself as a methods specialist. Otherwise, TAing in anthropology is much more valuable.

 

I wondered if anyone has any advice about being strategic in what TA/teaching opportunities one takes on? What is more and what is less valuable when looking for an academic job? Eventually I would like to work in a research university. Will the methods TAing be valuable or am I better off waiting for options in my discipline?

 

Any advice about strategizing for the best teaching portfolio is hugely appreciated. 

 

 

[rising_star]

Whether or not it would be valuable depends largely on what you see yourself doing after graduating. If you are interested in teaching at a liberal arts college, community college, or regional state university, they will be looking to see that you have good experience teaching and are able to teach an array of classes right off the bat. In those kinds of institutions, you will be required to teach several different courses at any given time, so they want to know that you have experience teaching different things and will be able to do that if they hire you since you'll be starting with a 3/3 or higher. If you are seeking employment at R1s (research-intensive institutions), then being able to teach several different courses immediately is less important and your research and publications are more important. In anthropology, that probably means how quickly you can turn the diss into a book and get that published, as well as your ability to acquire NSF, NIH, or other major grants to continue your research and pay graduate students. If the R1s are where you want to be, then don't TA this methods course. If you envision yourself teaching anywhere else, then TAing this methods course could help you in the future.