This time of the semester can be a stressful one for all students. Mid-term grades have rolled in, and it’s time to start brainstorming final papers. For those who struggle with writing, knowing where to begin can be difficult. Luckily, there is a haven on campus with the UMass Boston Writing Center.
The Writing Center is a place for students to seek guidance in their academic writing.
“We engage in collaborative conversations around writing with the goal of building writers’ confidence and self-efficacy so that they can take what they learn and apply it to other writing contexts,” said professor Dr. Carvajal Regidor, the center’s director. Each consultant is a trained undergraduate or graduate UMass Boston student.
In each 45-minute meeting, students can speak to their consultant on any writing topic. Consultants are trained to talk to writers about brainstorming, research, editing, grammar and more. They can also connect students to proper campus resources to help them with their writing. Appointments can either take place in person or through an online session, making assistance accessible to everyone.
If working with an individual consultant isn’t an appealing option, the Writing Center also leads student writing groups each semester. Students will work independently, but they do so in a group setting that exists to hold everyone accountable. The opportunities for these groups are even more broad than those in the individual sessions; students can work on things like reading or creative writing on top of typical academic expectations.
For those on the other side of the spectrum who love to write, the Writing Center is currently hiring. They are accepting applications on the Writing Center website until April 16 at 5 p.m. Hirees will work as hourly consultants for the 2024-25 academic year, helping fellow students develop as writers and forming relationships with a tight community.
Working for the Writing Center can be beneficial for many. According to Percy Truong, an undergraduate consultant, “[While working for the Writing Center] I feel really seen as an actual person while getting to support others and validate their feelings around writing.” The staff also has the chance to upgrade their own writing and learn how to teach writing skills across disciplines.
Applicants are expected to submit a CV or resume, a cover letter, and an example of academic writing for the Center to read.
“Those who are hired are trained and participate in ongoing professional development,” said Dr. Carvajal Regidor. “We also support research and participation in conferences.”
The Writing Center has two locations, the main one being Room 1300 in Campus Center. They also use a satellite office in the evening hours, located on the sixth floor of Wheatley Hall, Room 48. Virtual sessions are also available on Sundays. Students can make appointments, request specific consultants and learn about more specific hours on the Writing Center social media pages and website.