About the Internship
The Center for Writing Excellence's (CWE) Writing Assistant Interns are University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire undergraduates who are trained to work one-on-one with their peers' writing. You do not need to be an English major or a perfect writer—what's more important is a commitment to learning more about writing, an ability to work well with writers, and a curiosity about writing and tutoring.
When you work as a Writing Assistant, you will gain valuable training and experience helping others with their writing while improving your own writing and communication skills. The teaching and interpersonal skills you acquire are highly valued by employers, graduate schools, and other organizations.
An intern’s primary responsibilities include supporting writers across all disciplines and skill levels. Additionally, interns support wider campus outreach in the service of fostering writing and creative communication across campus.
Internship Duties
All interns participate in:
- Weekly tutoring hours (a minimum of 4)
- Ongoing professional development and reflection
- Wider campus outreach including but not limited to orientation, resource fairs, and classroom workshops and presentations
Interns interested in writing center research and scholarship also have the opportunity to attend and present at regional and national conferences.
After completing ENGL 397, a select few interns also have the opportunity to apply to be intern mentors, who not only support their peers, but the CWE administrative team. These mentors have the opportunity to gain insight into day-to-day operations of the CWE, help develop programming for their peers, and participate in assessment, among other things.
Prerequisite Course
In order to become paid interns, all selected applicants must successfully complete ENGL 397: Writing Center Theory and Practice—a 3-credit, semester-long course offered every fall semester. As part of this course, students receive service-learning credit by completing a three-hour/week (unpaid) practicum in the center during the fall semester.
Qualifications
Previous background with tutoring or mentoring is highly regarded, though not necessary for employment. Our most successful interns demonstrate:
- Curiosity about the writing process
- Empathy for their peers
- Willingness to collaborate
- Oral communication skills
- Self-awareness about their writing
In order to ensure ample time to grow within the internship, we prioritize applicants who will have at least two semesters remaining at UWEC after completing ENGL 397.
Required Application Materials
Interested in applying to the CWE? Here are a couple of things you’ll need!
- Resume with UWEC professor reference
- Cover letter expressing your interest addressed to Dr. Rylander and Dr. Warner
- College-level writing sample of critical or creative work (at least 3 pages, double-spaced)
Please send any questions and your application materials to ENGL80@uwec.edu by December 3rd by 5pm to apply.
Application Process
After you submit your materials, the process will go as follows:
- First-round decisions will be made by December 10th.
- Second-round consideration will include a 30-minute interview (in-person or online options available) with CWE Director Jonathan Rylander, Assistant Director Aubrie Warner, and Department Assistant Danica Lorasch.
- You will be notified of final decisions before the 2025-26 spring semester.
- Over the course of the spring semester and summer, you will be notified of upcoming events that you may participate in but are not required for the internship.
- During the fall 2026 semester, you will complete English 397: Writing Center Theory and Practice.
- The following spring semester you will become a paid member of the CWE Staff (current pay rate: $10/hr).
