what you will gain
At times, being a TA during graduate school may seem like a distraction from your own research and classwork. However, there are many long-lasting benefits to being a TA. Learning how to teach effectively will improve your skills in communication, time management, organization, and leadership. Whether you go on to manage a research laboratory, work at a non-profit, or become a tenure-track professor, these abilities will make you a capable team member and leader. Experiences teaching in graduate school will make you a competitive candidate for teaching positions in academia, but will also make you an appealing applicant for any job that involves either formal or informal teaching (such as communicating with stakeholder groups, leading kids programs, or holding skills workshops). Teaching, through reinforcing important concepts and keeping you up to date with current research, can help you to deepen your understanding of your field. Working with undergraduate students can also be a rewarding experience – helping students discover their own interests and develop their academic skills may become a fulfilling part of your graduate career. Working as a TA will provide you with skills that will aid you throughout your career, particularly if you invest in developing an effective teaching practice.