About Chemistry Coaches

The CLC provides peer-to peer-coaching and weekly review sessions for fundamental chemistry courses. Student staff are a critical component to the success of the CLC. 

Chemistry Learning Center Coach
Coaches provide individual tutoring through one-on-one appointments and walk-in services. This position has flexible hours and you can choose your time commitment. 

Weekly Review Leader
A Weekly Review Leader (WRL) attends a designated chemistry course and provide a weekly review of the content. WRLs typically work in teams of two. The time commitment is about five hours per week, but can be slightly more if you are preparing an exam review. WRLs are asked to work a minimum of one hour as a coach in the CLC, but can commit to more shifts. 

CLC staff are called “coaches” because that is a good word to define their job. Coaches are not teachers or tutors, although they do explain class material as needed.

Athletes have coaches to help them train, practice, and master their sport. The coach provides direction, emphasis, and support in achieving goals. The athletes do the work, but the coach helps them achieve their optimum performance.

Likewise, chemistry students practice, read, and work to become proficient in chemistry. The chemistry coaches serve as guides, helping students when they are stuck and providing direction and support in reaching their goals for a chemistry class.

A condition of employment is regular attendance at weekly coach training meetings held on Thursdays from 5 to 6 PM. Arrangements can be made if you have a class conflict at this time.  

What are the requirements for being a CLC Coach or Weekly Review Leader?

• Enthusiasm for chemistry. 
• Good communications skills.
• Ability to get along with others
• Patience, and a positive attitude.
• An interest in helping new students adjust to college life and college-level work.
• Successful completion of  University Chemistry I and II (or comparable courses) and a good understanding of course content. The CLC also tutors Organic Chemistry I and II, so you are able to be identified as a coach who can tutor those courses, but it's not a requirement. 
• This is a job that requires commitment! You will establish a coaching relationship with your students, and they will depend on meeting with you at the appointed times. Once the semester work schedule is made up, you will be expected to work during your scheduled hours on a consistent basis. Unsatisfactory performance as a coach or failure to report for scheduled work assignments is cause for dismissal.

Preference in hiring is given to undergraduate students with:

• Excellent verbal communication skills and a caring, patient attitude.
• Personal experience using the services of the Chemistry Learning Center.
• Previous tutoring experience.
• More time remaining before graduation (due to the extensive training involved).
  
  

  Who works in the CLC?

  CLC coaches are typically undergraduate students majoring in a wide range of academic areas—from engineering to the sciences and arts, with many in between. They have completed first-year chemistry courses or their equivalencies and received respectable grades.

   

  
  Coaches come from many different backgrounds. Most are involved in campus organizations and activities, and all have a common desire to help students confidently navigate the foundational chemistry experience.  

   

  The hiring process

  Students who interested in working in the CLC will begin the selection process by completing an application. After reviewing your application, you will receive an invitation to complete an assessment. You may use any resources you like to complete the assessment (books, class notes, etc.) but we ask that you do your work independently. If you earn a score that moves you forward in the process, you will be invited to an individual interview. If that goes well, you will be invited to participate in group interviews on Saturday, March 28.