So you want to TA a class
Like many CMU students, you may have seen the 15-112 TAs decked out in their bright blue hoodies, haunting Gates 5. While their swag is atrocious, their aura is undeniable. To obtain this aura, you need to become a TA.
Many students expect their TA duties to be relatively straightforward: answer Ed posts, hold office hours, grade homework, teach a recitation or two. However, this is just surface level TA work. In order to be a true TA, you need to be doing much more.
Before you apply to be a TA, you should be proficient with at least 3 different weapons. Ideally, you also should carry 3 7 ninja stars on your person at all times in case you run out of ammunition. On my first day of TA training, I was handed a gun and told to shoot any laptop with an LLM open to protect the minds of students from the evils of AI. It is imperative that you can quick draw from your holster or boot in any situation.
As a TA, you should also wear your TA hoodie every single day. Not only does this signal to students that you are serious about your job, but it also reminds everyone around you that you are employed and much cooler than them. I recommend wearing the same hoodie every single day for a semester before you even touch a TA application form.
In order to be a good TA, you should know the class you’re TAing for inside and out. Because of that, I recommend taking the class 56 times to gain an understanding of the course materials. You should be able to recite any lecture word for word when a student comes to you asking for advice. To be an ideal TA you should have at least a PhD level understanding of the course you’re TAing for. A PhD only takes around 5 years, so it should be a no-brainer to get one before applying to be a TA.
Oh, also, having a good relationship with the professor of the class you're looking to TA also helps.