Voluntary resident tutorship (UK)

Greetings rumtum readers,
I discovered there's not many things written on the subject of Resident Tutorships (UK) on the inter-web when I was applying for a position sometime ago.Volunteering for a Resident Tutorship (RT) is a fantastic way of making the best of your time in University as a graduate student, specially if you're a post-graduate with a tight budget. It definitely has its pros and cons, so it's not for everyone, but I have thoroughly enjoy my stint as a resident tutor.

The role will definitely test your organisational skills or effectiveness under time pressure, especially if you're balancing your studies, social life and a tutorship. Most RTs appreciate the opportunity as it's great to have a default 'social clique', meet new people on the job and get exposed to different aspect of life and circumstances.

 If you're wondering what's required, here's a very crude short list and what to include in a CV.

Skills: 

Demonstrate skills by examples and show you are interested in growing the said skill(s) perhaps with your existing experience ?

• Leadership  - there's plenty of opportunities to be initiative, lead by example, teach and learn
• Sociable - ability to strike up a conversation with a stranger, get along with existing team
• Professional - you will probably be representing a large organisation, so you need to act accordingly.
• Organisational - to plan events and keep track of day to day responsibilities etc 
• Misc - Patience, with tutees and fellow tutors, Initiative - take charge when no one leads, be friendly but don't suck up too much, there's probably a hierarchy so you must know where you stand and you must also know when to move on if and when you can't do the job..... 

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Knowledge

Know the related support services within the organisation of interest
Know how things work within specific site, city/town, public services within the area and be up to date with student activities.

Communication

• KISS -keep it short and simple,
• Demonstrate what you claim by examples,
• Write simple and clear, speak slow and steady,
• Keep out lengthy academic merits, unless its directly related to supporting the role by skills or merit 

Demonstration

Provide examples of how you have demonstrated the skills you possess and relate them to the current context.

• First aid skills
• Awareness of mental health issues
• Fire and safety evacuation protocols (risk assessment & mitigation)

Finally, remember its never too late to add to your skill-set. So if you have the chance, make some time and learn something and show you're serious. Keep trying if you don't succeed at first.