It's something I might be interested in later on if I do well enough. Anyone know how to go about it/the general qualifications? Can a II yr even be a TA? All of mine are Masters, PhD or IV yr students.

I'm in Life Science, probably moving towards a Biology major and am planning to take a number of English and History courses.

In case it matters, here's what I'm taking now:
Math 1LS3
History 1BB3
English 1A03
Biology 1A03
Biology 1M03
Psych 1X03
Psych 1XX3
Physics 1L03
Chem 1A03
Chem 1AA3

Can a II yr even be a TA? All of mine are Masters, PhD or IV yr students.

Maybe it depends on the course, but I've had 2nd/3rd year TAs before.

I'm not sure about how you go about being a TA. (well you need a good grade for the course you wanna teach, but that's a given.)

It's different for every course/faculty. Your best bet is to talk to your professor, or the professor of the course you wish to T.A. for.

With the exception of Multimedia and Communications courses, all Humanities classes have Masters of PhD-level TAs.

I am a second year TA for a engineering course. But not all faculties have second year TA position. You need to have a very high GPA for the course you want to be TA, (probably a 10). Check with your course coordinator. Its a great experience and you'll learn a lot by teaching others.

how much do TA's get paid

It depends on the faculty and specific course.

Every Humanities and Social Science class I've had, the TA has been a Masters or PhD student. Sometimes, these positions are specifically held for grad students (like in Political Science - no one can become a TA unless they are a Masters or PhD student)

My boyfriend had a second year TA in his first year math course. That's the only one I know of that allows second year TAs.

Originally Posted by lmasud

how much do TA's get paid

Undergrad TAs make about $20 an hour
Graduate TAs make about $40 an hour

Originally Posted by Kathy2

Undergrad TAs make about $20 an hour
Graduate TAs make about $40 an hour

$40 an hour!!!!!!!! WOW that seems like too much for just being a TA...

To practice for a future TA career, I'd suggest the following:

- practice speaking very low (if you currently speak at a normal volume)
- develop an accent (if you don't already have one)
- mumble quite a bit when you speak (again, if you don't already)
- learn some very unfunny jokes

Originally Posted by caroline54

$40 an hour!!!!!!!! WOW that seems like too much for just being a TA...

Well, TAing is how most Masters and PhD students pay their bills (aside from scholarships)

Often they spend a lot more time in the lab/tutorials and marking than they're allocated. I think it's warranted. They're still paid less than other schools, apparently.

what about ugrad ta's

Originally Posted by caroline54

$40 an hour!!!!!!!! WOW that seems like too much for just being a TA...

I completely agree.

I would happily be a TA for minimum wage.

Originally Posted by Kathy2

I completely agree.

I would happily be a TA for minimum wage.

Like I said earlier, just because a TA is supposed to spend 5 hours a week for lab assistance and marking, they may spend up to 10 hours a week. Many TAs spend extra time preparing for tutorials, labs, and providing necessary feedback on essays or any assignments. So while it's theoretically $40/hour, given the number of hours that a TA will spend marking or prepping, it's less than that figure.

Originally Posted by Jay

Like I said earlier, just because a TA is supposed to spend 5 hours a week for lab assistance and marking, they may spend up to 10 hours a week. Many TAs spend extra time preparing for tutorials, labs, and providing necessary feedback on essays or any assignments. So while it's theoretically $40/hour, given the number of hours that a TA will spend marking or prepping, it's less than that figure.

I know how it works. My bf and my old roommate are TAs. The hours they put in definately don't equal out to anything less than $30 an hour.
I would still do it for minimum wage. I've had A LOT worse jobs where I got paid A LOT less. I would love to be a TA. Unfortunately, I'm in Pol Sci and can't be one until I start my Masters.