Becoming a professor’s research assistant certainly has its perks. Earning an advanced degree can be costly and taking a full-time job is sometimes not an option especially if you have decided on a much heavier load for a certain term. Being a student assistant or a research assistant gives a degree earner more time to focus on his or her studies while earning a bit more cash to pay for some of the miscellaneous expenses. Here are some of the advantages of being a research assistant:
Gaining relevant experience
A research assistant allows one to have relevant work experience on the career path that he or she will soon have. Being exposed to actual research makes one check his or her compatibility to the chosen field.
Research work also provides hands-on experience, which is essential if one wants to become a productive academic. With this hands-on learning, you can put into practice all the theories and facts you have learned in your classes. Translating the technical stuff to real work will definitely be beneficial on the part of the RA.
Financial rewards
Although it is a fact that being a research assistant does not earn one a hefty amount of money, it still allows a person to earn by doing actual work while learning at the same time.
Enriched learning
Acting as a professor’s research assistant, one gets the opportunity to read original manuscripts or materials which are not usually open to the public. Having read information from the original source provides better insight on a particular field or subject.
Other benefits
Studying in a different state may cost more compared to state locals. Non-locals working as research assistants may be granted reduced rates in return for their services.
Well-performing research assistants may eventually receive scholarship proposals from professors or universities in honor of the services and hard work that had been duly given for a particular work. This is not rarely practiced as universities and those from the academe recognizes true potential in students.
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Sexual harassment, regardless of your status or location, may happen to almost anybody. Even to a teaching assistant like you. Even your accordant relationship with your professor might lead to something that is worthy of being called sexual harassment.
Personal preparation
Sexual harassment occurs everywhere. You may get sexually harassed in an office, in a classroom, or even in a library. Learn how to spot differences in relationships and be alert when your professor tries to get a little too close to you every chance he or she gets. Foreign students should be extra cautious when it comes to sexual harassment. Because of the differences in culture, they might have a more difficult time in distinguishing sexual harassment from friendly acts.
Subtle signals
Sexual harassment is not only in the form of physical attacks or rape. Feeling utterly uncomfortable and violated after being asked out by a professor is already considered sexual harassment. Look out for lingering touches and cozy hugs. Learn how to identify subtle signals before your professor takes another step closer.
Gender attacks
Some professors are oblivious of the fact that they have sexually harassed their teaching assistants or students. Sexual harassment is not always about physical attacks or rape, it may also be in the form of gender attacks. Professors showing preference for teaching assistants or students of his or her own gender, obliviously, are committing sexual harassment. Even simple jokes on “female is the weaker sex” are considered sexual harassment attacks.
There is no means to tell whether an institution is sexual harassment-free or not. Although there is no justification for being sexually harassed, you still need to be extra careful of what you wear and how you act. You can avoid being a victim of sexual harassment by dressing appropriately and acting decently. If sexual harassment still present itself despite non-suggestive appearance or actions, report it before things get worse.
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