The Department of Computer Sciences employs both undergraduate and graduate students to assist with course instructional support. Hiring for all positions occurs around late July and into August for Fall terms and late November into January for Spring terms.
Graduate students are eligible for our graduate assistantships (Teaching Assistantships) and hourly grader positions. For information about graduate student positions in the department, visit this page: https://www.cs.wisc.edu/grad/programs/funding/.
Undergraduate students are eligible for hourly peer mentor positions.
Peer Mentoring Program
Students often have difficulty adjusting to new learning environments, the challenging pace and high expectations of the college classroom. Students who have recently experienced the same challenges and been successful, may have a better idea of the problems students might encounter and may be better prepared to help students work through these difficulties than instructors or TAs.
Computer Science Peer Mentors work as facilitators—not TAs or tutors! Peer Mentors serve as guides for students as they work through material, pose and answer questions. Peer Mentors are not the keepers of the “right answers”, rather they ask students or provide opportunities for students to work with concepts to build their understanding in a comfortable, supportive learning environment.
Role of the Computer Science Peer Mentor
- Show empathy, caring, and understanding for the unique challenges each student faces
- Guide students to understanding rather than telling them the answers
- Ask carefully-crafted questions as a way to draw out student learning
- Explain content in a way that the student can understand, at their level
- Foster student empowerment and confidence
- Increase a student’s sense of belonging in computer science
- Respect each student’s background, identity, and situation
Peer Mentor Applications
Interested in becoming a CS Peer Mentor? Please apply here: CS Peer Mentor Application.
For priority consideration for certain classes, please complete by Friday, December 5. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and hiring will continue until all positions are full. Each course has its own peer mentor allotment, and instructors will work with the CS department to select peer mentor staff based on the particular needs and skills for the course. Instructors make all final hiring decisions, and each course has its own hiring timeline.
CS502 is recommended for all new peer mentors. This 1 credit course provides you with theoretical knowledge and practical training as you learn about educational pedagogy and teaching practices.
If you have general questions about the Peer Mentor program, please contact Dana Francis at grad-appointments@cs.wisc.edu.