Ben PfeiferLos Angeles, CAWriting Tutor, Bachelor's in Psychology: Summa Cum Laude
Sometimes I think about Marcos, a bashful international student from Timor-Leste, writing his first college essay thousands of miles from home. He nervously walked into the University of Missouri Writing Center and up to my desk; we'd be working on an English 1000 argument essay. Discussing his home country — I shared about a book I had read the past summer about the region — quelled his nerves, which led us into discussion about rhetorical devices, how to form an argument and how to reference and cite sources in a college-level paper properly. Later that shift, I helped a graduate student polish up part of her thesis, cleaning small grammatical errors and ensuring her writing flowed well.
My work as a tutor spans all forms of writing, building off of my formal training assisting students with all kinds of academic papers, cover letters, personal statements and various other application materials. In tutoring over 350 students, mentoring future tutors and graduating Summa Cum Laude from my University, I've developed strong communication and rapport-building skills with people of different ages, nationalities and writing skill levels.
Writing is a pervasive discipline, relevant from humanities to STEM. And tutoring writing encompasses more than simply correcting errors; a good tutor teaches their student how to think like a writer and a learner, broadening their educational skills entirely.
Tutoring, Journalism and Psychology are all people professions and my skills working with people of all backgrounds will help me assist with whatever students need. I derive great fulfillment not only in helping students fill out their applications and personal statements, but in preparing them to better write, think and apply for jobs and educational programs in the future on their own.
Because I can connect with anyone, I can teach and tutor them and help them achieve their short and long-term goals.
