Looking for something to do? SAIS offers a variety of paid positions

By Jessica Lamberston

Switching from a full time career to a full time job as a student (as many SAISers do) can’t always be easy. Although studying new topics and class time full of discussions may be a great break from the drone of every day life, there is a certain strain on the pocketbook during the life of graduate study. Luckily, SAIS is full of opportunities to make money; you just need to know where to look.  Many student leadership positions, research gigs, and of course teaching assistant positions will get you a chuck of extra cash – something always helpful around this time of year.

The most obvious positions at SAIS are the hired student employee jobs.  Positions such as assistants in the library, desk help in the Language Lab, and even manning the phones for JHU Advanced Academic Programs are almost always options.  These types of positions generally pay around $10.50 an hour and are some of the most relaxed working atmospheres on campus.  In many, you can actually do your homework while you’re at work – as long as you jump to help anyone who may stop by.  Often, these positions are listed on the SAIS forums, but the Business Office and individual departments may have information about these types of positions as well.

If you’re looking for a more fulfilling (or pocketfilling) line of work, check out teaching assistant opportunities. Before the start of each semester, the Career Center will often send out an email with available TA spots. Many students find these jobs exciting and a good review for orals. One TA who spoke with the Observer says, TAing is “a great way to really get in depth and master the materials, as there’s no better way to retain information learned than by teaching it to someone else. It also feels good to help others who are struggling with the material (which I hope I’ve done!).” Of course, that warm fuzzy feeling isn’t the only benefit to being a TA: as one of the highest paid positions at the university ($18 an hour this semester), it can add some nice padding to your budget. One thing to know before you sign on to be a TA, is that the workload can be the most rigorous.  You are expected to run office hours, have a tutorial session each week, attend class, grade assignments and exams, prepare material when necessary, and proctor exams.  Although the hours are many, you are compensated for all of your time (even if it’s spent copying and stapling). You can also talk to Lois Weiss in the International Economics program for more about TAing or about the workload and expectations of a graduate level TA.

Another route are research assistant jobs.  These can sometimes be more difficult and competitive to find.  But, if you land one, these can be the ultimate in part time jobs.  As a research assistant, you often work closely with a professor as he or she prepares materials for books, journals, or other publications. As a research assistant myself last year, I formed a close relationship with a professor in my department, got a few mentions in journals articles that I researched for, and was even able to write materials that ended up in international publications.  It was a great way to conduct research in my own field, and of course the pay was quite nice.  Research assistant jobs are usually very flexible, and the work can be done on your own time.  If you work better late at night while watching trashy reality TV, no one has to know.  The pay for these positions varies by department and position, but I was paid the going rate at SAIS (around $10.50 per hour). Some departments need extra help in other capacities as well.  Running the concentration’s blog, helping organize events in the department, and doing generalized small tasks can be an easy way to stay in touch with your fellow concentrators and make a few dollars in the process. The best way to find out about research and departmental positions are to ask – talk to your department’s coordinator or speak with a professor you’d especially like to work with.

Student groups are also a great way to get involved and get paid for what you do.  As a member of SGA, you are compensated with an annual stipend in the range of $2000.  Being an SGA member can be a lot of work. You’ll have to be present on campus, but if this is something you’re passionate about it’s easy to do.  Student groups also often compensate their leadership. Our own editors of the SAIS Observer are given a stipend of $1500 per year.  Andre Castillo, a Co-Editor-In-Chief of the paper, definitely recommends this type of work, and tells the Observer “It’s a great opportunity to meet people and actually see the fruits of your labor, unlike those papers we’re always writing that collect dust in our filing cabinets!  I’ve really enjoyed my time as an editor.”  Getting into a leadership position like the Observer or another student group does take some work, but Castillo says, “the workload is very manageable. I spend about 10-15 hours each [monthly] issue putting together the layout and conducting meetings, etc.  Other than that we had to put in some time for getting trained, which was only a couple of hours, and occasionally taking care of tasks like updating the website and getting food and materials as needed.”

Other positions exist as well.  Writing and language TAs are hidden, yet well-paid opportunities.  Working in other Johns Hopkins programs on Mass Ave are also viable options.   The key is to walk in, introduce yourself and make then realize they need a student worker, and that you are it!

Jessica Lamberston is a second year M.A. candidate in Latin American Studies.