Having trouble finding an SAT, ACT or AP tutor in Ontario? Maybe that’s a good thing!
I’m always approached by a handful of people after speaking at a homeschooling conference who want to ask me a specific or personal question beyond the scope of my presentation.
I always state very early on in my talk that once I cover a few key points I need to get across, the rest of the session will be basically guided Q and A. “I’m at my best when I’m just fielding questions, and no one’s been able to stump me yet!” is my standard line.
After one of my Standardized Testing for University Entrance seminars, a woman approached me and said, “What exactly do you do? I can’t quite figure it out but I think my daughter might enjoy doing what you do!”
This reminded me of one point that didn’t come up naturally during the seminar that I otherwise would have hoped to make: if you’re good at these standardized tests, then consider becoming a SAT/ACT tutor throughout university.
We encourage students to enroll in co-op university programs because (it sounds like) students will have a guaranteed job for the work terms and be able to not only gain professional experience but also work off some of those university expenses. But the reality is that these students, as early as a month or two into a demanding university program, can become all-consumed with checking the job boards, preparing resumes and scheduling interviews because it soon becomes apparent that these jobs are not just handed to you, nor are they guaranteed. All this at a time when freshmen are struggling to adjust to the demands of university life.
Tutoring is by no means guaranteed work, but it has some advantages:
- It can be done from any home town (demand permitted) so you can live at home for the summer and save your pennies
- It encourages you to think like an entrepreneur, organize your books, perhaps start your own little company if you choose. In this day and age, there’s a real security in knowing that you can financially take care of yourself (without needing a job from someone else!) and let’s face it: the only one who’s never going to fire you is you!
- You could choose to work part-time during the university year, or simply wait until the summer. While regular school-based tutoring often grinds to a halt in summer, SAT tutoring continues year-round because it is not tied to the same school-based schedule.
- Unlike school-based tutoring, you will typically work with students for a relatively short time — perhaps long enough to get to know them personally, form a relationship and make a difference in their lives, but not so long that when you’re ready to move on to a post-university profession they still expect services.
- You set your own hours and schedule, working as much or as little as you choose.
- There are very few SAT/ACT/AP tutors in Ontario because these programs are still relatively uncommon. You’ll face much less competition than a generic “math tutor” will.
Of course, you have to offer them services of value. Do you need to have been a perfect scorer yourself? No, since many of those kids might not be able to communicate how they achieved those scores. The most important traits to have are:
- intimate knowledge of the test itself: you know what kinds of questions and tricks are going to be on the test
- interpersonal skills: people won’t come if they don’t like you! You have to be able to build rapport, keep students motivated and be positive.
- solid math and/or language skills and the ability to guide others towards that same understanding
- responsibility: these tests are high stakes test, and a lot is riding on the outcome. You have to respect appointments you make, be upfront about what you can/can’t do, and commit to this job as seriously as if you had a “boss” to whom you reported.
It’s no doubt there’s more pressure tutoring someone for the SAT than a math test at school. But, if you’re like me, and you love that these tests can be “figured out” and you enjoy helping others perform at their best, SAT / ACT / AP tutoring can be a very lucrative summer job, or a fulfilling career!
If you’re looking for more information on how to get started as a tutor, feel free to contact me.
If you’re looking for an SAT tutor, ACT tutor or AP tutor in the Toronto area, visit www.mostly-math.com or www.matsci.ca. (These two companies are affiliated, so they’ll work together to find you the best tutor for your needs.)
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