THE TUTORING CENTER

Students (and Tutors) wanted

Working at The Tutoring Center looks great on a résumé, or a college application

By Jason Zasky

Getting a job at The Tutoring Center can be a little intimidating for a 16-, 17- or 18-year-old, as the interview process involves role-playing and answering questions that a student might ask while being tutored.

"I pretend to be the high school student and ask difficult questions to see what they say," relates Joshua Powers, director of the Tutoring Center, which is located on Hughes Crossing in Franklin. "I feel like that's the best way to see what they would do in that situation."

Indeed it is a good measuring stick, says Anika Kaushik, a graduate of Page High in Franklin who has worked as a tutor for the past two-and-a-half years and distinctly recalls her interview. 

"He had me explain a couple of exam questions to him, just like how I would explain them to someone who is actually getting tutored," she recalls. Kaushik aced the interview, as well as the requisite Math test given to candidates.

"There weren't many curveballs that I could throw her that she couldn't handle," adds Powers, who emphasizes how the Tutoring Center aims for excellence in all areas, including the tutors and instructors they hire.

"Our interns are high school students, and then there are assistant instructors who are college students. Then our instructors are college or beyond," elaborates Powers. "They have a bachelor's degree or a master's or may even be working their way towards something in the graduate field." 

Kaushik remains an excellent representative example, continuing to tutor even now that she is studying chemical and biomolecular engineering in college, with an eye toward a biotech career.

Like many of her colleagues, she helps prepare high school students for the ACT, and also tutors English and Math, though she says her favorite subject is chemistry, with physics not far behind.

"I love Math, but I'm more of a science person," she admits. 

The Tutoring Center is Looking for More Tutors

Though the Tutoring Center found Kaushik via referral from a friend and current intern, they also have the proverbial 'help wanted' sign out on various electronic platforms. 

"We do post [our ad] on a couple different platforms in high schools, to see if teachers will consider printing it out and putting it in their classrooms, especially in honors or AP classes," says Powers, noting that it is a great part-time job for anyone "even remotely considering education on some level, as the work experience is second-to-none," other than actually being a teacher.

"If you like helping kids—if you have a passion for helping people—this is the best place to be," he adds, in part because tutors can pretty much pick and choose their hours, which is helpful when working around one's own academic schedule. 

Interning at The Tutoring Center also looks great on a college application and can be an excellent résumé builder. 

"If you want to go to an Ivy League school, we can very much be a vehicle to help you do that," says Powers, before noting that the Center's latest hire is looking to become a high school history teacher.

"Although we don't specifically work with history, we work with students on study skills so he can at least find the range and who he'd like to work with; we think it will be a really great fit for him." 

Indeed, the rewards of the job transcend subject matter. 

"Everyone at The Tutoring Center is very enthusiastic and has a passion for helping students do better in whatever areas they are struggling with," concludes Kaushik. "Everyone who works here is super-motivated and really likes working with kids."